Photography has changed
The landscape in photography business has slowly but steadily undergone an evolution over the years. Different technological advancement and demands of numerous social media interactive spaces have also heightened the need to have beautiful and well-taken images. Today, the art of taking pictures goes beyond having a camera and willing subjects before you. Our reporter BRIAN ITAI had a chat with one of the country’s well known photographers, Albert Keith Kamanga. Excerpts:
Q
:What is your full name?
A
: I am Albert Keith Kamanga also known as Zeeya because of the company I own, Zeeya Creations.
Q
: What do you do for a living?
A
: First and foremost I am a professional photographer and out of this I have also become an entrepreneur as a transporter and camera accessory supplier. In addition, my company, Zeeya Creations, has grown to do more than just photography and videography. Now my firm does branding, events management, printing as well as graphic designing. The services I offer are quite diverse. As long as it brings extra revenue and helps sustain other businesses that I have outlined.
Q
:How did you find yourself in photography?
A
: I attribute it to passion. My late father Rosario challenged me to do some soul-searching and realise what I really love to do. From the moment I opened up to him about photography, he did not discourage me. He actually supported me and this motivated me to invest my all in photography. I would say it is that passion that has always lifted me up when things go otherwise. It is that passion that defines my work. It is that passion that refines my business ethics, and yes, it is that passion that makes Zeeya Creations grow and add value to the economy of Malawi through job creation.
Q
:Do you look at photography as an art?
A
:Definitely. Photography is an art. Pictures tell a story about a subject and the photographer. There is a great deal of artistry that makes a good photo. It is not just about the camera as many would think. The art behind photography is multi-dimensional, from framing, ambience, editing, light control and balancing. One must be able to create an impression through the art that breathes life into photography. The art in the picture must stand out and pass the test of time.
Q
: How much of value addition do you bring to the content that you produce?
A
:There so much which is achieved through creativity, innovation and continued investment in the equipment that we use to produce content. The other value addition is through motivating the human capital that I have. Human resource management and customer service is yet another plus. And this is an on-going process. Our industry is very competitive and as such, the clientele needs the best and this is non-negotiable. For us to stand out and extend our footprint in the game, impressing a customer turns that client into a brand ambassador and market to bring so much more through their testimony. So, there is nothing that matters more in our work ethic than adding value in all the stuff that we do. Continuous learning, research and evaluation are a must.
Q
: The work and demands of a photographer seems to have changed a bit over the years, what do you think has influenced this change?
A
:I believe there are various factors that have led to this change. I think the growth of social media has been an instrumental factor to make people appreciate powerful lens and grow an exciting and interactive customer base. The other aspect is quality driven. We live in a generation where basic quality is not just enough. The demand requires best quality and this has pretty much changed the photography landscape over the years. Another inspiration is probably the growth of the photography industry and the competition it has generated among the players. This has not only kept us on our toes, but also given customers diverse options to choose a photographer of their choice. Lastly, the growth among smart phone users has also been an inspiration to the change as people need more soft copies of images as opposed to hard copies which was previously the case.
Q
: What does it take for one to find a spot in the competitive environment?
A
: Creativity is non-negotiable coupled with marketing, branding and excellent customer service. In addition there is need to engage a strategy that enhances visibility, networking and feedback.
Q
: Can the world do without the work of a photographer?
A
: No ways. An image is everything. In this digital era, everything needs the work of a photographer for instance branding, marketing, events, socialising and so on and so forth. Apart from being a story telling aspect, photography is also a way of archiving memories to stand the test of time.
Q
: Did you acquire any relevant professional training in this field?
A
: Everything began with passion. Then I taught myself and here I am. Of course there is so much more I keep learning almost every day via YouTube. Currently, I am also upgrading my skills in photography via online courses I have subscribed to and it is really adding relevance to the growth of my business.
Q
: How big is your photography company?
A
:Started small, now we are growing. This year we opened a new studio in Blantyre and that makes it two with the original studio we have in Lilongwe.
Q
:How many people do you employ?
A
: There are 13 employees; six are in Blantyre and seven at our Lilongwe office. These are full time but we get interns and other experts when the demand rises.
Q
: Is it financially rewarding?
A
: For the five years I have been active in the industry, I would say it is. However, just like any business it is full of ups and downs. Suffice to say, it puts food on, not just my table, but also that of my employees. We are here today; all the other business ventures we are into have been solely born out of photography proceeds. n
