Photography was celebrated not merely as an art of capturing images but as a means of preserving memories, documenting society, safeguarding culture and creating livelihood opportunities as the Mokokchung Photography Club (MPC) observed World Photography Day 2026 at the Mokokchung Municipal Council Conference Hall on August 19.
Held under the theme “Home”, the observance featured an exhibition of photographs from the MPC gallery as well as antique and old cameras. The programme also included the felicitation of winners of the club’s mobile photography competition, whose results were announced on August 17.
The event was graced by Imtiyapangla, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), while founding member Longrangty Longchar presented an overview of the club’s 15-year journey.
‘Photography can preserve culture and create livelihoods’
Imtiyapangla, who said she was not a photographer but deeply appreciated the craft, described photography as more than an image, saying it captures moments, preserves memories, documents society and safeguards culture for future generations.
Addressing educated youths’ strong preference for government jobs, she said there was nothing wrong with seeking such employment but noted that vacancies were increasingly saturated. “Getting a government job should not be the definition of success in our society. Our young people need to learn how to create opportunities as well as look for them,” she said.
She identified photography as one such opportunity, citing wedding, portrait, event, sports, fashion, product and real-estate photography, tourism and cultural documentation. Stock photography, she added, could generate continuing value from images of landscapes, festivals, food, people and traditions.
She urged young photographers to build portfolios, cover local events, collaborate with businesses, learn editing and marketing, and establish an online presence to reach clients beyond Nagaland and internationally. Experienced photographers, she said, should mentor young people in both the craft and business.
Calling on photographers to document the region’s villages, festivals, landscapes, food, people and way of life, she said authentic local stories were increasingly valued worldwide. “Keep learning, keep experimenting, keep documenting and keep believing in the value of your work,” she said, urging youth to develop skills and create employment rather than wait for it.
MPC traces 15-year journey
Founding member Longrangty Longchar presented an overview of the club’s journey since its formal launch in 2011 at the Mokokchung Press Club office, inaugurated by then SDO (Civil) Nungsangmenla Imchen.
Longchar recalled that the initiative had been conceived earlier by formally trained photographers Onenjungshi Pongen and former convener Imnaonen Pongen. Along with senior journalists Sashimeren Jamir and Limalenden, and members including Senti Kichu, Temsuchila Jamir and Maong Longkumer, they laid the foundation of the club.
He said the early mentors shared technical knowledge on aperture, lighting and the fundamentals of photography at a time when most members used compact point-and-shoot cameras.
A landmark two-week workshop organised with partners from Goa-CAP at the erstwhile Eastern Talkies theatre proved transformative, he said, particularly for reinforcing the idea that “the best camera in the world is the one in your hand”, shifting attention from equipment to framing, light and perception.
Longchar also recalled the club’s observance of World Pinhole Camera Day, when members constructed cameras from matchboxes and created the “Morung Camera”, which was later exhibited during the Moatsü festival.
As the club evolved over the years, a new generation took up its mantle. Under the leadership of convener Takumeren and secretary Moa, the present team has brought renewed creativity, energy and passion to MPC, he said.
Quoting lines from Tennyson’s Ulysses, Longchar described the club’s experiences since 2011 as an archway through which future possibilities continue to gleam, sustained by a shared love of photography that brings people together and turns imagination into lasting images.
The programme concluded with the photo and camera exhibition and the felicitation of the mobile photography competition winners announced on August 17. Odichuba Ozukum of Sungkomen received first place, Akangkokba of Ungma Village second, and Tekatemjen Walling of Süngratsü Village third.
The competition was sponsored by Aienla Jamir, BDO Tuli; Er. Wainungla Walling, BDO Kobulong; and Lanutemjen, BDO Chuchuyimlang and Changtonya. The judges were Imcha Jamir of Photography Club Dimapur, Ashwini Barkataki, Canon Mentor, and Bondeep Khound, Canon SSO.