Yasin Osman

Yasin Osman (born 21 August 1992) is an award-winning Toronto based photographer and Early Childhood Educator who was born to Somali parents. Osman uses photography to showcase stories of perseverance, resilience and the power of community.^[1] Raised in Regent Park Osman started to document life in his community when the City of Toronto began the Regent Park Revitalization Plan. Osman currently focuses on humanitarian work, traveling to countries around the world to document stories of marginalization, culture and religion.^[2]

Early life

Osman grew up as an only child and was raised by his Mother. Osman's photography had gained acclaim in Toronto in 2015 when he won the Basquiat Neon Crown from the Art Gallery of Ontario.^[3]

Osman in an Interview with American Photo Mag says "The way I got into photography had to do with Regent Park, the neighborhood that I'm from," The area once had a reputation for poverty, gangs and drugs, but has been rapidly gentrifying in recent years. And from his apartment window, he had a front row seat. "I would use my mom's cell phone to take pictures of these changes," he says. Despite the major changes, Osman says there's no better place to grow up. Families are very close, and everybody knows everyone.^[4]

#ShootForPeace

In 2015 Osman began a project called #ShootForPeace — an idea born out of a weekly excursion he took with kids from the neighborhood, several cameras, and the goal of teaching how to take great photos.^[5] Osman used his love of photography to inspire local youth to find their passion. In an interview with MTV he said "The children in this community have so much on their backs and I wanted to see them express themselves creatively and share some of that untapped emotion that is within them. Since photography was a love of mine I couldn't think of a better medium of expression." ^[6]

Collaboration

On May 11, 2017 Osman collaborated with Jr and Jerome Jarre for the humanitarian campaign #LoveArmyForSomalia. Osman took photos of Somali Children for the campaign and the eyes of the children were later pasted onto Water Trucks by JR.^[7]

Influence

Osman's photography is heavily influenced by Steve McCurry & Gordon Parks. In an interview with Flipboard he recommends Steve McCurry's website when asked about his favourite photography.^[8]

Books

Osman is one of the 150 Canadians featured in the book "The World Needs More Canada" curated by Heather Reisman- The book features anecdotes, insights, and candid photography from an eclectic mix of over 100 storytellers and visionaries who have made their mark on the True North, from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Drake, Margaret Atwood and Malcolm Gladwell.

References