In my brand journey;I started small & scaled up over the years - Famous Photographer Oluwatosin GBELA

By Kemi Mobuse - Thursday, May 19, 2016

The best moments of our lives are usually captured for eternity if possible, when you have a good Photographer at hand. And if you are fortunate to own a brand, you will also appreciate, how essential, it is; to invest in a very good photographer, because, he is such a necessity who can either make or mar your business or your occasions.

I was really overjoyed to come across Famous photographer, Mr Olugbemi Gbela, through a close Friend, the CEO of All Socks. Mr Gbela is no JJC, he can be said, to have actually taken root in the photography profession, as he has 10 solid years behind him. Check out his interview with KMB right below:

Kemi Mobuse blog: Can we meet you?

Mr gbela Olutosin: My name is Oluwatosin GBELA, with the signature 'lutosinGBELA. Married to a beautiful wife who is a caterer & baker and we have a beautiful daughter.

Kemi Mobuse blog: What do you do?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Visuals (Photography & Videography ) & Digital Marketing.

Kemi Mobuse blog: What inspired your going into the photography business?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Inspiration? Really I can't place a hold on it but I think my Dad has got a role to play in all of these. He bought the pin hole camera for me & ensured I take photos back then so I guess he built it.

Kemi Mobuse blog: Do you recollect the exact moment you decided to make a profession of photography?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Back in the University... Though it didn’t exactly agree with my thoughts but I never had any reason to go job searching.

Kemi Mobuse blog: Is it currently all you do, for a living?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Ofcourse. We run a proper Visual Firm names Finesse Studios www.finessestudios.com.ng. We have 6 permanent staffs and about 10 adhoc employees

Kemi Mobuse blog: How old is your brand now and how has the market reception been since inception?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Brand Age, we should be 10years by 2017.
Market Reception at first was harsh until we scaled up to be a front player. And even at that, we are not resting on our oars. That is why, we have continually developed our marketing, customer acquisition, service delivery & lastly customer relationship management.

Kemi Mobuse blog: How was starting out wise financially for you?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Starting out was not so capital intensive because i started small & scaled up over the years.

Kemi Mobuse blog: What major challenges did you experience and how did you overcome? More importantly, what did you gain from that experience?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Major challenges have been Financial & Human resources. Managing people has been cumbersome while expansion needs finances.
My most valuable lesson from all these has been; that, you need to look ahead always. There are solutions everywhere but hey! you need to ask the right questions.

Kemi Mobuse blog: Is photography capital intensive?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Photography is capital intensive but which business isn’t? Starting small doesn't kill you know!

Kemi Mobuse blog: Will you advice anyone to go into it?

Mr gbela Olutosin: I will advise anyone that has the passion & talent to forge further to acquire the technical know how & not forget to also learn about the business side of it.

Kemi Mobuse blog: Do you do training?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Yes of course, we do trainings for Beginners & Masters.

Kemi Mobuse blog: Where do you see your brand in five years?

Mr gbela Olutosin: I see the #teamFINESSE of Finesse Studios brand in 5years delivering exceptional visual services to individuals & firms with excellent service delivery.

Kemi Mobuse blog: What has been your most memorable experience since starting out?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Every single job is a memorable experience because there are no two same jobs.

Kemi Mobuse blog: Any advice for upcoming photographers?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Advice for upcoming Visualists is to Keep forging ahead while learning always.

Kemi Mobuse blog: Lastly, how can you be contacted?

Mr gbela Olutosin: Call: +2348060397619

Email:t.gbela@gmail.com,

Website: info@finessestudios.com.ng

IG: lutosingbela

More pictures below: