Part II Evolution of studio photography

My experience with studio photography is scanty although every day I saw myself on the frame of the family photo. I was too young to remember what had transpired.

As a young adult I did visit a studio and had my photo taken around Parklands. It was those old school studios that you went behind curtains had the photo taken and you had no choice but to wait until the photo was washed. The result, I was not smiling in the photo.

But that has changed drastically, the studio experience has evolved. For the last three years, I worked at Maudhui House, a media house and photo studio.

Coincidentally, the company was setting up its studio at the time I was joining.  I happened to be playing an administrative role at that time and was hands-on involved with the set-up process.

After set up, I was also involved with the operations, and picked up a few skills along the way, which truly came in handy. I knew the basics of setting up a photo studio from scratch, what equipment was needed, an estimate of the costs, I could handle a camera for some basic level photography and lighting setups,  I understood set design , makeup and hair styling , outfit styling , client relations and expectations, accounting etc.

Puzzle pieces

Little did I know that all this information will be of great help in this next chapter of my life.

End of last year my family and I decided to move to Kisumu to start a business, and picking lessons from our fathers and their business startups after retirement, we decided to do something we knew about.

All my partners have studied media in their university studies, and practiced it, some for longer than others, they all also have basic understanding of cameras. Coupled with their different strengths in storytelling, PR, events, and photography and videography.  We came together to create a one stop shop for everything production.

The idea is to tell the stories of the lake basin region counties, a place where mainstream media has not adequately covered, and tell them in interesting ways.

Setting

Photography is quite an interesting way of visual storytelling. A photo can speak a thousand words they say. A camera in the right hands can help portray any individual or place in whichever way they want to be portrayed.

We wanted to bring the modern studio experience to Seamless Frames, the infinite choices of digital photography, customized sets that bring our personality out and offer quality service.

To build this branding we needed the office space to serve as a multipurpose studio with various different backgrounds on which we could build our personalised unique signature sets.

One of the things we noticed with studios in Kisumu was that the spaces were relatively small. It was amazing how the studios were able to make the most with minimal spaces. From there they could achieve multiple backgrounds and use various props to create different moods for each background.

We however wanted a more spacious location, so clients could feel at ease whenever they came to our place. It was more than just about the photos, we wanted them to have a seamless experience.

Dream Studio

And we thought we had hit our oasis when we visited Lake Basin Mall. It was conveniently close to where we all lived. It is a large mall with plenty of unoccupied office spaces and little traffic.

There were rumors that China Square would be opening soon at the location as the anchor tenant, meaning that the traffic there would sky rocket soon.

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There was plenty of parking space and beautiful outdoor space, and there was only one photo studio in the mall, owned by our friend Billy Matimbayi but with enough room for growth.

As we walked into the building we spotted a space in the corner at the ground floor. It was completely see through space with floor to ceiling windows and large wide backdrop walls that begged for a mural.

We walked around the entire space to look for more available spaces but non rivaled it. We were almost conjuring an image of the studio taking shape right before our eyes, as we imagined floor plans and lighting.

We went back there frequently, built castles in the sky, day dreaming of what sets we would put where, settling on a location for the reception desk, we had to redo the floor, so we were thinking of flooring options, curtains or blinds, where we would put our logos, and most importantly how much it would cost to do all this and how long it would take before we begin operations.

So we headed to Charcon property managers office on the second floor to inquire about the rates. They were charging Kes55 per square foot, and required a three month deposit. Rent was paid on a quarterly basis.

By now we had been accustomed to the going rate and we felt the space of about 600 sqft could give us the quality space that may generate enough return to afford it.

For the amount they were asking it was the best deal we had gotten so far. What’s more, the mall gave a grace period of 3 months to allow for renovations and settling in before asking for rent. Which we thought was incredible.

Ripe for disruption

We took our time, about two weeks to put the rent deposit money together, and once we were ready, visited the office, giddy with excitement, only for them to tell us that the space we were after was not actually available.

“It was never available, someone paid for it one year ago, some guy is putting up a pharmacy,” the very lady we had met had just turned on us. She sat there, pretending to be surprised, using her clean English behind a desk in the unnecessarily large property managers office to crush our dream studio.

I have never felt so gutted. What do you even mean? I was shocked to say the least. 

Hook line and Sinker

Apparently Lake Basin Mall emptiness is more a function of state bureaucracy, crafty brokers and an entangled contractual nightmare.

The mall put up to subsidize the cost on small businesses was riddled with scandals on deals cut to set it up that doubled to Kes4.2 billion.

When it opened shop, those who took up space had a conflict with the property managers since the mall lacked an anchor tenant and for a long time has handicapped by unpassable roads due to construction of the Kakamega highway.

Now due to the disagreement the mall changed the property managers but contractual problems with tenants arose on lease terms which degenerated into absent tenants.

The play was new inquires would then be asked to talk to the old tenant and offer goodwill.

After taking us round circles, they suggest find a way to have a conversation with our guy to release the space. I had not realized I may not be the most civil person to handle such ‘negotiations, because I truly could not read between the lines to understand that this is Kenya and they were asking for ‘facilitation’.

They suggested we pay the absent tenant 6 months rent for his troubles,  so double the money we had on us for the three months rent, then we continue to pay them another three months rent to reserve our space.

Again, what do you even mean? I found it outrageous to say the least. The place barely had any traffic, although they assured us China square would be there soon enough.

Si Must BTW

So we went back to the drawing board, deflected but not defeated. We consulted more agents, and visited more locations in blind faith, until we stumbled on Maseno University Retirement Benefits Scheme, MURBS building in downtown Kisumu.

It is along Makasembo road although I realized in Kisumu no one traced locations with the names of roads, so a better description has become; opposite Swan center, next to the former Kiwasco, the building that once hosted Signature club.

Dansal property manager Sidney showed us some spacious offices with breathtaking views. They were great, but we were not instantly sold. Our expectations had just changed since seeing the space at the lake basin mall.

‘There’s one more space on the ground floor if you’d like to see’ he suggested and we went. It took our breath away instantly! It had large windows so plenty of natural light, high walls, and plenty of room to be creative with. It was also extremely spacious and easy to access. Ticked all our boxes. And even better it was perfectly within budget. Water and electricity costs were included in the rent, with only an extra charge for service.

Seamless Frames Studios

The terms were also friendly, all he required was a two-month deposit and one month rent. He was also reasonable enough to allow us a quarterly payment.

The Lord works in mysterious ways truly. When you feel you’ve lost an opportunity of a lifetime He blesses you with an even better one that you didn't even know about.

So we signed an agreement and finally we had a space. A beautiful space that would allow us so much creative freedom.

For backgrounds, we wanted to have as many options as we could get. We made an initial sketch with the craziest ideas we would come up with. For our signature background, we did a mural of a fish. We wanted something to dedicate to the lake and the beauty of Kisumu, and what better way than a fish. We did most of the work ourselves which was not only fun but helped to save on costs. Also helped to give us an appreciation of the trade.

From my sore feet, and stiff shoulders, I learned that I will bargain on materials but never the labor rate of a fundi.

We created a green set that brought life and complemented with the plants set, would look like an enchanted forest. We wanted a vintage set as well that is yet to be complete, with a lamp, book shelf, leather seat and console table.

We experimented with Mdf sets creating carved patterns, and a large circle which we are still debating on how to improve.

We put our hear into it threw everything but the kitchen sink to afford cheap renovations and even managed to change the floor thanks to Mkeka wa Mbao.

The studio is beautiful. Yet it is still incomplete. We plan on bringing our vision to life in God's time.

For equipment we managed to get different quotes from various stores, the rates were higher than normal owing to the spike in dollar rate at the time, we however managed to get just enough that could get us started. With what we have we are able to build beautiful sets and take crisp photos.

But the one thing we take pride in is our customer experience. We ensure that every person that walks through our door leaves with a smile and more value than they would have even expected.

If you are in Kisumu, don’t miss the chance to capture that memory in Seamless Frames. We can also travel to your location. 

Read also: How to set up a studio in Kisumu's real estate