While the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for all of us, it posed unique challenges for children like Kyle, being forced to stay at home and switch to virtual learning

12-year-old Kyle has a passion for photography and enjoys capturing the environment, candid moments, and people’s hard work. He has had a strong interest in taking photos since he got his first digital camera at the age of eight.

Kyle said that he was initially inspired by nature, often capturing natural surroundings and the ocean. Having his own camera helped him to research and learn new skills and with the help of his mother and family, he took to Instagram to share his photos with the public. His Instagram page features a compilation of photos, making his passion for capturing the day-to-day lives of the local Maldivian community evident. According to Kyle, in addition to people, some of his favorite captures are of cats and the ocean.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for all of us, it posed unique challenges for children like Kyle, being forced to stay at home and switch to virtual learning. His interest in photography made it easier to cope with the pandemic. Kyle took the opportunity to capture our fight against COVID-19 and the process of people in Male’ adjusting to the new normal. His photos show that at such a young age Kyle has a unique talent to convey emotions through his captures especially in these challenging and unprecedented times for everyone, everywhere.

Kyle says that his motivation comes from witnessing the patience and hard work of loved ones around him, especially his mother who is his biggest support system. At such a young age, Kyle believes that persistence and not giving up can lead the way to success.

When he is not taking pictures, Kyle likes to express his creativity through drawing. He also spends his free time doing extra reading into photography on how to improve his captures as well as editing skills. In the future, he looks forward to progressing his skills to make a difference for communities through his work in photography.