- 083 608 2194
Audience: – business networks, conferences, year-end functions, colleges.
Time: 30 – 40 minutes.
Included: Reportage Photography.
Photography is a form of creative expression but so are we.
We embark on journeys and pursue dreams which add colour to our lives.
We all have our own mountains to summit – whether creative ventures, personal transformations, or our desired goals and dreams. To get to the top we have to; know what it is, and be motivated to get there as the journey usually includes, obstacles, challenges, wrong turns, and confronting our fears. If we do embark on the adventure, the exact outcome isn’t guaranteed but it is still worthwhile for the reasons we might not expect. My personal journey as a photographer and published author, along with the tips I picked up along the way are covered in this 30-minute talk – “The journey to the top of your mountain.”
As a professional photographer, my dream was to have a coffee-table book with my name on it. Along my journey toward my personal summit, I had to step far outside of my comfort zone, but the surprising rewards were far more than I expected, and yes, it was worthwhile.
Gary Hirson is an internationally exhibiting photographer, A COMENSA credentialed Life Coach, and a SAQA accredited Leadership and Life Skills Trainer.
The following two links lead to published articles about the exhibition and journey.

Audience: – Schools – Grade R-12, and Literary festivals
Time: 35 – 45 minutes.
Included: Travel and Reportage Photography.
Since the publishing of my first children’s book in 2007 I’ve spoken at countless schools across South Africa, during literacy-related days, general assemblies, and end-of-year prize-giving ceremonies. The age groups I’ve spoken to have varied from Grade 0 to Grade 12, to College students, and at two of the biggest National Book and Literacy festivals in South Africa repeatedly.
I was recently invited to present my latest talk, “YOU have the recipe for your own success!” to students and interns at the Red and Yellow Creative School of Business. The same talk – abbreviated, was also presented at Pecha Kucha in Cape Town.
The topic of my talks – similar though varied as per the different age groups, including my personal story, tongue-in-cheek references to successful people, interactive exercises, and photographs I’ve taken throughout my life.
They also include:
How reading builds self-confidence, teaches us new things, can lead us on adventures both real and imagined, and stimulates the gift we all have – our imagination.
How the next generations’ dreams are our future, how having goals to pursue is important and how they do have the recipe for their own “success”
Grade 0-3
Herzlia Highlands Primary School- Book week launch
“This is probably one of the best launches we have ever had because Gary was able to convey the exact message that we needed to give the children – READ! READ! READ!”
Grade 4-7
Diana Stanford- Librarian, Elkanah House, Cape Town
“Wow, Gary, everyone is raving about your talk!! Thank you sincerely for the wonderful inspirational talk you gave the pupils. The feedback we got from them was very positive. On behalf of Tracy, our headmistress, staff and pupils who have all asked me to convey their thanks and appreciation for your time and sound effort to get the pupils to read, which was a great success! You successfully got them gripped!!I think you should market books and get paid for it. At break today, the library was filled to capacity!! The staffroom was abuzz after your presentation. THANK YOU sincerely.”
High Schools & Colleges
Rustenburg High School for Girls.
‘Thank you Gary for sharing your own journey of self-discovery and for opening our girls’ minds to all the possibilities imaginable. But just as importantly, for getting to the root of it all, because ultimately If we don’t know who we are, then how can we know what we want? A significant and salient challenge for us all.’ – Marilyn Peters – Head of Library and Media Centre.
If you would like to chat with Gary about speaking at your organisation please contact him via gary@garhirson.com or 083 608 2194