Startup Story
Sónia Lumeka is the founder of Kaylina Photos in Angola. She is an artist, architect, writer and photographer. An introvert person who enjoys good reflection and quiet places, she was born and raised in the country and is married and the mother of three children as well as being an entrepreneur.
LoA spoke to the creative Sónia Lumeka this month to find out how she started out on her photographic business building journey and about what drives her as an entrepreneur today.
What does your company do?
I tell stories of women and couples through photography.
“Humanized photography forms the basis of all my processes. It’s not simply about creating a nice picture... it is about what that picture means to you as a female.”
What inspired you to start your company?
It started as a hobby for my blog because I needed some editorially strong images of women to complement the articles, so I started doing a photoshoot just for fun. But then I realized it was really nice how those women felt after the experience. So I decided to take it to another level and start a real business. I started studying more and more until I got the courage to create the brand.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
The concept of the brand is what makes it special, because my processes are based on the experience of my clients. I work really hard to make the result of my work be seen as value and memorable. Humanized photography forms the basis of all my processes. It’s not simply about creating a nice picture... it is about what that picture means to you as a female. It can help you overcome low-self-esteem or even never forget a really good phase in your life.
Tell us a little about your team
I have two assistants at the moment and they are responsible for the backstage video. My job now is to teach them how we can improve the video taking so our clients continue to love them. It's also just a way to create an over delivered service to our clients, because it’s something they don't expect that happens.
“My plan is to form my future team, so they can work with the same passion that I do.”
“I want to grow my company and be known and become a reference in lifestyle photography in my country, photographing and teaching with all the things I am learning now.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I do not come from an entrepreneurial background and I never saw myself being an entrepreneur until now. It was never something I was willing to be. It has been challenging in so many aspects of my life, it's hard and requires so much discipline, but at the same time it gives me joy and satisfaction because I am able to make my ideas come to life and impact other people.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My plan is to form my future team, so they can work with the same passion that I do. I want to grow my company and be known and become a reference in lifestyle photography in my country, photographing and teaching with all the things I am learning now. But I am respecting my journey and the time I am living now.
“I am respecting my journey and the time I am living now.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Being able to work in my own time which gives me possibility to be available for my personal activities with no guilt at all.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Study a lot, structure all areas of your business if possible. Support a case or philosophy and create a meaning for that business more than just an incoming source of money. Be passionate about it and embrace the journey.
Contact or follow Kaylina Photos
INSTAGRAM | EMAIL letrasemulheres@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it…
At Lionesses of Africa, we love passion driven women entrepreneurs who want to make an impact through their work. Sónia Lumeka is one such entrepreneur who understands that personal stories can empower women, and she is helping women to tell their stories through photography. In the process, she is building her brand and reputation as a talented photographer and winning clients as a result. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa