Lights, camera... cash! The photography business

       Lifestyle photographer Eustace maina at the Kicc rooftop doing a model shoot on 15th November 2014. FELIX KAVII

A little over 10 years ago, cameras were not such a big deal.

There was one photographer in the whole village who would walk around taking pictures. If you missed him, it could take you a whole month for your next pose.

Things are different now. Photography has grown from the realm of family photos to a lucrative business.

Photographers are hired to cover events like parties and conferences. Pregnancies too are an opportunity for photoshoots.

Speaking to The Nairobian,  Eustace Maina, a lifestyle photographer, said he identified a niche in the market.

Maina, a co-founder of Eye Con Photography, said digital media revolutionised photography.

“The advent of Facebook was godsend. There were no photographers to meet the high demand. As a matter of fact, only journalists were taking pictures professionally. We came in and found a ready market,” said Maina.

The company has expanded and made a name for itself, so much so they were the official photographers at The Kenya Fashion Week this year.

His capital, he said, was Sh500,000, which he recouped in less than a year.

“There is money in photography, but you must identify a market you wish to target. We have bought many expensive cameras from upcoming photographers who quit because it did not work out for them,” added Maina.

He revealed that they charge Sh25,000 to cover corporate events and Sh5,000 for ordinary photoshoots. In a week, they make an average of Sh30,000.

The 23-year-old Maina told City Biz that they started with one camera and now have a fully-equipped studio. “Photographers add hype and visibility to an event. They take great photos which become the talking point immediately they are uploaded on social media.

Such pictures are great marketing tools with a pull effect. They communicate the message that the event is where you need to be, where all the action and fun is,” said DJ Sadic, a gospel DJ and events organiser.

“It is a lucrative business. I am always accompanied by an official photographer," added the DJ.

Mutua Musyoki started M2A Photography immediately after clearing campus last year.

 

He says he ventured into photography because it is his passion. Having studied for a bachelors degree in community development at Moi University, he had no prior training in photography, but learnt on the job.

“I have been doing photoshoots for a year now, covering a number of events and weddings. Good photography pays and you have to identify your target market, then give it your all,” said Mutua.

He started by hiring cameras since he didn't own one in the beginning.  He told City Biz that social media made it easy to reach more people cheaply through advertisements that he posts on his company’s Facebook page.

“Digital images and social media complement each other,” said Mutua.