Today, more and more people and businesses are understanding the power of strong images to communicate with audiences. Yet, the challenge is having the creative vision to really tell the stories behind the images and to make an emotional connection with those viewing them. That is where the talented Iria Marina comes in, founder of the photography business that carries her name.
LoA found out more about this talented, creative woman entrepreneur this month.
What does your company do?
Iria Marina Photography is a studio under the company Mudwai Enterprises. We aim to bring life to our clients’ vision. We specialize mainly in environmental portraiture, portfolio formal portraits, documentary photography and event photography. We also have our graphics side of the business that deals with logo creation, website design, the making of brochures, invitations, business cards, etc.
"The hunger to be my own boss, and follow my passion for photography, art and graphics, and open new doors whenever and however I can, inspired me to start my own business."
What inspired you to start your company?
The hunger to be my own boss, and follow my passion for photography, art and graphics, and open new doors whenever and however I can.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We are professional, dedicated, love what we do, and we deal intimately with clients. We make sure that clients understand the work we do and get them involved whether it be through selection of images, or through conceptualizing a photo shoot.
"We make sure that clients understand the work we do and get them involved whether it be through selection of images, or through conceptualizing a photo shoot."
Tell us a little about your team
Our permanent team consists of myself as the head photographer and editor; Euclides Chamane who is a graphic designer and video editor; Fernando Milisse who is the runner and gets everything sorted on the road; and a few interns that come and go. Depending on the project we are undertaking at the time, we may also have part-time videographers and photographers.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I come from parents who are extremely intelligent and successful in their careers, but they have never been self employed, although I think my mother has the self employment, entrepreneur gene. Both my parents have always pushed me to do as my heart desired, and after 7 years in the working field, I decided to try my luck at being my own boss. The journey has not been easy. It wasn't my first time going at it alone, but I definitely came back stronger and more adamant. From moving back home, creating a network, building up the business, being my own marketing director, editor and so forth, it has fulfilled the hunger I had to be my own boss and be in control of my own destiny.
"Mozambique still has a long way to go in accepting photography as a valuable art and business, so my aim is to teach my clients and fellow countrymen what it is to be an artist in order to value art."
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I see a lack of discipline in my field, and know how. Mozambique still has a long way to go in accepting photography as a valuable art and business, so my aim is to teach my clients and fellow countrymen what it is to be an artist in order to value art. I would like to support artists to turn their craft into a money making business, as it is a business basically make your passion your job. And last but not least, I plan to expand and open the business up to more media, such as documentary film making.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The ability to take control of my destiny. No-one is going to push my company more than I will. I also love to teach, the more I get people learning and knowing the right way to work, the more I create solid entrepreneurs.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Find your passion! Be sure what you want to do; do your research, shadow other women, ask questions, create a strong network, study attentively what it is to be an entrepreneur. Importantly, also save money, and ultimately, just start. This is not my first try at entrepreneurship, I have tried to do this twice before. So my advice to others is, if it doesn't work out, regroup, learn more, and try again.
Contact or follow Iria Marina Photography
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL iriamarinaphotography@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
Passion drives so many successful businesses and entrepreneurs, and that is certainly the case for talented photographer Iria Marina, the driving force behind one of Mozambique’s leading creative photography businesses. She is helping her clients to make emotional connections with their audiences through her artistic vision and her phenomenal skills behind the lens. This is definitely a creative force to watch in Mozambique’s entrepreneurship community over the coming months and years. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa