Meet Toronto’s talented and popular photographer/videographer, OfTheSaint — “I want to be in a position where I can support upcoming videographers and photographers”

BY SELINA MCCALLUM

Elijah De Los Santos also known as OfTheSaint has taken photos of some of the biggest names in Hip Hop including Drake, Kanye West, and Nas at just 23 years old.

OfTheSaint is a talented, emerging photographer and videographer in Toronto. He’s ambitious, energetic and extremely creative. While working, he’s always laughing and uplifting the people around him. He was raised by his single mother in the Jane and Finch community and attended Westview High School. When he graduated, he received a scholarship to play soccer for a college in the states. After his mom had to start paying out of pocket, he decided to move back and attend college in Toronto. At the time, he was also pursuing being a full time Youtuber, and decided to drop out to take his dream seriously.

He knew that to collaborate with highly successful influencers and Youtubers, he would have to add value for them, so he decided to learn how to do photography.

“I thought, ‘I have a lot of photographers around me, let me try photography.’ So, I started photography and I loved it. Then in August 2019, that’s when I started my production company, OfTheSaint Productions.” said OfTheSaint.

He named his production company after his last name. De Los Santos means of the saints in Spanish.

Since then, OfTheSaint and his team have been hired by nine corporate companies for various projects, including the Billboard Top 100, Rolling Loud and Universal Music.

He reflects on being a kid from Jane and Finch to travelling and being on the biggest stages with some of the biggest names in mainstream music.

“Jane and Finch is known for a lot of gang affiliation, and it’s popular through rap music. It just made me more hungry to make a difference. I want to really go hard and fulfill my dreams, and really embrace the city. So, while I’m doing all this, I tell people where I’m from. I want to be an inspiration to any other kids coming from Jane and Finch. I want them to think, ‘if this guy can do it, I can do it,’” said OfTheSaint.

The emerging photographer says his success did not come overnight and faced a few challenges. He asked himself a lot of questions in the beginning as he feels to stand out in an industry it takes 20% the talent you have and 80% hard work.

“How can I gain more clientele? I have barely any experience in what I’m doing, how can I grow? What do I need to do to make myself go to the next level? I think that was the biggest challenge. How can I really make money through this? If you told me two years ago that I would be in this position so fast, I wouldn’t have believed you. I thought it would take at least six years,” said OfTheSaint.

Although he couldn’t imagine getting the opportunities he has had now, he still always had confidence in himself and in his work.

“I always kind of knew what to do. I knew the steps I needed to take to get to the next level. And I went through a lot of ups and downs, but I’m grateful I did because if you don’t go through that early, if you don’t go through shit early, then you won’t grow,” said OfTheSaint.

Just before and during the pandemic, the Toronto photographer continued to network with people in Toronto and the US. He had met and become good friends with Carl Lamarrre who is a journalist and writer for Billboard. Then two years later from starting his business he got the most important phone call of his life.

“So, in August 2021, he called me up. He’s like, ‘Yo, I have an opportunity for you. I love that I’ve been seeing your hustle. I’ve been seeing you do your thing, bro. Come to LA. I want to shoot, and I want you to cover the Grammy Conversation with Nas and Hitboy.’” said OfTheSaint. “It was a FaceTime meeting. When I got off the phone. I didn’t even know what to do. I was like, ‘Oh, this is nuts.’ Yeah.”

OfTheSaint isn’t motivated by opportunities for just himself, but opportunities for the people around him too.

“I want to be in a position where I can support upcoming videographers and photographers in the city that don’t get to have the opportunities I have. I want other photographers to build themselves up. I just want more opportunities to grow my brand because then I can give back to my city,” said OfTheSaint.

OfTheSaint recently worked with Grammy nominated, Canadian singer/songwriter Jessie Reyez. He was invited to LA last month to take photos at her album release party where Drake, Diddy and Ty Dolla $ign attended. Then he was asked by Reyez’s team to join them in Colombia. Afterwards, he joined them again for Reyez’s press run in New York.

“Jessie and I are from the same hood. We’re from the same area. So, to be around someone who is super passionate, a super go getter, really serious about her craft was inspirational.” said OfTheSaint. “Just to see her behind the scenes and to be able to capture these moments for her, it was unreal. I traveled three times within two weeks. My dream is to travel with artists. The fact that that dream is happening, I am honoured.”

The photographer is inspired by several people, including entrepreneurs in Toronto.

“My mom is very business orientated. She’s been planning major events for a long period of time. So, going to festivals, seeing her work, it’s inspiring. Director X, Cole Bennett, Jacob Ettinger, Jalen (LickMyFashion) BrazyKuts inspires me. Their work ethic and their drive boost me up when I’m feeling down,” said OfTheSaint.

OfTheSaint shares some advice for emerging creatives trying to land opportunities now.

“A lot of people chase the money, but when you chase the money, it’s not always doing what exactly you want to do. If you and the other person can add value to something big together. Why not? If you’re truly passionate about it, why not just do it?” said OfTheSaint. “Keep pushing. If you really love this, doing the free stuff is just something you have to do until you get your foot in the door. Then when you get to that certain point, know your worth and the cost is up to you. You’re going to go through a lot, you can go through a lot of hurdles, a lot of failures, but learn to love fear. Hire the right people around you too and keep pushing.”

Learn more about OfTheSaint on his website www.ofthesaintproductions.com and view his  awesome photography on his Instagram @ofthesaint. His podcast, Of The Conversations, is available to watch on his Youtube channel, OfTheSaint Productions.