Since the launch of The Magic that’s Ours in June 2007, I have been invited to talk nationally to pupils at schools of all ages. The topics of the talks are related to all and the success such, that I now also speak at business networks and companies. Below is a breakdown with video links of the kind of talks I now give. If you are interested in finding out more or would like to book me for a talk please contact me on info@calminstorm.com
Thank you.
Gary
I start off with a card trick to get the children’s attention and to compare a magic trick to the magic of our imaginations.
I speak interactively about why it is good to read, which includes- building self confidence, learning new words, ideas and things of interest.
I talk about and show images of a recent trip I took to South East Asia where I stayed in a floating village in Vietnam. The reason I went there was because I read about these villages in a book.
I touch on reading as being exercise for the mind, and this leads into the topic of imagination. This is followed by a “fun” exercise where the pupils get to experience their imaginations.
I conclude by explaining how powerful our imagination is and how “The Magic that’s Ours” was just a story in my head and I imagined that one day it would be a book on the shelves in bookstores…
Herzlia Highlands Primary School- Book week launch 2009 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!
It is well known that children have a concentration span of about 20 mins and that is exactly how long Gary kept them riveted to their seats.
In a very matter of fact and relaxed manner as though he was having a friendly chat with the kids rather than trying to teach them something he told them all about how he had become hooked into reading and realized its importance. At the same time they were able to view his fabulous photographs of unusual places in other countries. He also gave a very strong message about setting goals for yourself and working towards realizing them.
I think we have found the ideal way of launching our annual Book week – Gary Hirson will be a regular on our programme. I have to look no further. I highly recommend him!
See you next year! Sandy Wynne
Thanks Gary!
I start off with a magic trick to get the audience’s attention and compare the magic trick to the magic of our imaginations.
I speak interactively and use stories about why it is good to read, which includes- building self confidence, learning new words, ideas and things of interest.
During my travels (I am a photographer) I visited Laos where the illiteracy rate is 50%. I show images of children working in fields etc as they cannot read and write. (The images are NOT a scare tactics but are photographed tastefully.) I explain to the audience that these children really want to go to school, but can’t because of various reasons. I then compare the choices the audience have to the children in Laos.
I discuss the importance of and how powerful our imagination is and how Down The Line, my photographic coffee- table book, was just an idea in my head. I imagined that one day it would be a book on someones coffee-table. I tell the story of how this book came to life by the way of me setting a goal for myself. I discuss the importance of goal-setting which can help us reach our dreams.
The images of my experiences are shown throughout my talk.
I also speak about a goal I set to become a travel photographer and writer. Even though that was my goal- to write about and sell stories to magazines- I experienced much more while on my 4 month adventure through SE Asia. The images of my experiences are shown while I talk.
I explain that on two occasions I set specific goals and achieved so much more- two books instead of just one, and an experience of a life-time when just wanting to become a travel writer and photographer. I do mention that at times it might feel like all is not going according to plan along the journey, but the rewards of reaching a pre-set goal far outweigh the slight bumps and small deviations that might occur along the way.
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.
Time: 20min-30min
This talk is given at assemblies, prize-giving, and end of term/year functions. I am the only photographer ever having been allowed to photograph the train line between Cape Town and Simonstown – The Southern Line. Having only; the gift of the imagination, the luxury of choice and tools like goal setting- coupled with hard work- I tell the short story of what it took to have these pictures turned into a coffee- table book with my name on it. I talk about; the gift of our imagination- referring to Albert Einstein, and how we – unlike some- have the luxury to choose what we want to do just because we can read and write. I also mention the importance of self-belief which is needed for us to reach our dreams. This talk is accompanied by photographs, some from the book, and others which I’ve taken throughout my photographic travel career.
Reviews:
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
Time: 30-60 minutes. (This talk is tailored for the different specific age groups)
This talk is given during, Library, English or Life Orientation Classes. Here I talk about my journey of self-discovery which led me to becoming a photographer, and the author of four books. I talk about the importance of finding out who we are-our values- as individuals which will help us make more accurate decisions and a more defined meaning of success. I speak about the importance of having self-belief, trusting one-self and taking responsibility when making decisions. Dealing with disappointment is also touched on. I discuss how the more we become to understand who we are, the more in line our goals will be which can lead to living a passionate life and success. The importance and understanding of goal-setting visualisation and affirmation are also explained. This talk is accompanied by photographs I’ve taken throughout my photographic career.
Herschel Girls
Thank you very much for sharing your journey with us in such an interactive and illustrative manner. Your points about the importance of getting to know yourself and your values were so relevant, and tied in beautifully with what our girls are taught as part of their Life Orientation curriculum. Your beautiful photographs were an added pleasure and the girls were certainly left with the all important message that even their wildest dreams can become their reality. Thank you for inspiring us all to dream big!
Monique Nyback- LOF Teacher –Herschel Girls
Parklands College
Gary's presentation was inspirational and informative. His casual yet sincere style immediately engaged our GET learners and he captivated and challenged them with his relevant message, anecdotes of his journey and beautiful photographs. We will certainly be inviting him back to address the rest of our learners!
Kim Schloms-Madlener- School Counsellor- Parklands College
If success was measured by us pursuing and reaching our dreams, the vast majority of us would be deemed unsuccessful. Why is that, why are some of us so afraid to pursue our dreams? After all there are only 3 components required to go pursue them and we possess all 3.
Unless we can define who we are, what we want, and the belief that it’s attainable, it’s no use trying to reach for our dreams.
Understanding who we are -Values- will ultimately lead us to making more informed decisions, set more personal goals, and be more passionate about the lives WE lead. Once we understand who we are then we can identify our PERSONAL dreams.
This talk is told as a story using my path of self-discovery which led me to becoming not just a commercial/ travel photographer and writer, but also the author of four books – one which is a photographic coffee table book. I talk about the importance of finding out who we are as individuals which will help us make more accurate decisions and a more defined meaning of success. Time is spent on discussing the one amazing gift that we all have –OUR IMAGINATION- and by trusting and using it, putting goals into place, believing in them and working towards them, we can achieve what we set out to. The luxury of CHOICE is spoken about using an example of when my then publisher went out of business at the 11th hour leaving me devastated but able to choose on how to take the next step.
Calm in Storm recently published a photographic coffee table book - Down The Line. It might seem that this book is slightly out of sync with what Calm In Storm is trying to promote - but the independent publishing of Down The Line was a dream that needed to be realised. If we are to promote the idea that goals are attainable then we too have to be bold enough to pursue our own dreams.
