From Behind the Lens to Building Legacies: Meet Desiree Thomas

From two-time Humber Polytechnic graduate to internationally published photographer and brand creator, Desiree Thomas is living her dream. But her road to success is not without hard work, perseverance, and an immense dedication to honing her creative talent.

Growing up in a hardworking Caribbean household, Desiree had always felt she was expected to become one of three things: a doctor, lawyer, or accountant. But ever since she was seven years old, she always had a camera in her back pocket, documenting moments. “Even in university, I would skip class to go to photo shoots,” she says.

Eager to explore her creative side, Desiree applied for The Remix Project, a program that provides free professional arts training to talented youth facing barriers. Upon completing the program, The Remix Project awarded her a full one-year scholarship to enroll in Humber’s Photography Diploma Program. “Receiving that scholarship is what ignited everything,” she says. “It really gave me the confidence to pursue my passion and believe in my potential.”

Launching her own business

After completing the program, Desiree returned to Humber to complete a certificate in Marketing. 

Her career quickly gained momentum. “I think my business started before I even realized it was a business,” she says. “There was a moment when I asked myself, ‘Am I an entrepreneur?’ I had to make the conscious decision to own that title and give myself permission to truly go for it.” 

Through word-of-mouth referrals and meaningful interactions, she launched Desired Media. Her photography has been featured in international magazines including Vogue Italia and Forbes, and her work has opened the door to collaborations with renowned brands such as Knix and Bumble BFF. “Working with Wray & Nephew, a Jamaican white rum that is a staple in many Caribbean households, was also a really cool milestone for me,” she adds.

Giving back

Desiree credits strong relationships and networking as the cornerstone to her success. “Never underestimate the people that you’re going to meet,” she says. “The key is to connect authentically – with genuine curiosity and a willingness to help.”

Today, Desiree is giving back by establishing The Thomas Family Scholarship for Creative Visionaries, an award open to students in any program within the Faculty of Media, Creative Arts and Design. “Through my nonprofit, I’ve donated over $35,000 to community charities that are important to me. Creating a scholarship at Humber felt like the natural next step.” 

Drawing inspiration from her mother’s sacrifices and resilience, as well as the profound impact Humber has had on her career, Desiree created the scholarship to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“The recipient will be someone who truly loves what they do and wants to push boundaries in their creative journeys,” she says. “Even small acts of kindness can have ripple effects.”

When asked what advice she would give to aspiring entrepreneurs, her guidance is simple yet powerful: “Your career won’t be perfect – rebranding and pivoting will always be a part of the journey. You have to take that next step and never stop trying.”

To learn more about scholarships offered at Humber, visit humber.ca/studentscholarships.