With his iron will and immense passion for photography, Nguyen Minh Luan, a 26-year-old man with disability, has triumphed over himself to be an accomplished freelance photographer and win the top prize at a recent local photography competition.

Luan’s photo collection titled “The Te Phan flawed rainbows”, which depicts the daily lives of physically-challenged kids at Te Phan caring home, pocketed the first prize at a photo competition called “Shorten the gap 2013: For children”. The competition was recently put on by LIN Center for Community Development, which provides support to local not-for-profit organizations and serves as a vehicle through which donors and philanthropists can effectively contribute their knowledge, energy and resources in support of these organizations.

Luan has a slightly wobbly gait and difficulty in speaking, which are the consequences of the poliomyelitis fever he suffered when he was 1 year old.

However, with extraordinary courage, he overcome all prejudices and completed 12 years of school. He also learned computer skills and taught himself how to take photos. Upon graduating from high school, he chose to study multimedia art design at the Arena Multimedia School in district 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

With the camera gifted by his parents and a burning passion for photography, Luan gradually improved his skills which now amaze not a few people. He roamed everywhere on his bike, capturing every nook and cranny like a pictorial diary.

“Thanks to the camera, I put aside all my inferiority complex about my appearance and disability, and I soon have many friends, especially those who share my photography passion”, Luan confided.

With his camera lens, the young man has captured many precious, vivid moments of people with disabilities. In the photo contest “Hanh trinh 60 ngay - Goc nhin cua toi” (The 60- day Journey – Share My View) held late last year, Luan’s photo collection on the rice paintings created by physically-challenged people won the third prize.

“I've always loved taking photos, especially of  disadvantaged people, because I know that as for them, and myself, sometimes it's hard to fully express what we think to the outside world. I hope my photos can tell more of the feelings and thoughts of this lesser-known community,” Luan shared, with determination in his shining eyes.

“When learning that Luan would enter the competition, I was slightly worried that he would be at a disadvantage compared to other competitors. However, I soon recognized talents and professionalism in him. With his passion for photography, confidence as well as humble, ambitious attitude, I believe he would advance further in future,” said Lai Hong Vy, from the LIN Center for Community Development.