Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelson Onyeji.
Hi Nelson, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved photography. It’s been a passion of mine since a young age. I started out developing film in a dark room. Then I transitioned to digital prints. Somewhere along the road professional photography became a hobby of interest and I flourished in it right away. The moment I knew I wanted to be a photographer was when I was in Vegas and took some really great shots on my camera phone. My friends and other travelers would ask me if I could take a picture for them and they were really pleased with the results. I took pride in capturing a great picture and it felt natural to direct them in terms of posing and making sure the lighting was good. Fast forward to my sister’s graduation, I remember my family and I waiting in line to get our pictures taken and it was in that moment I knew I wanted to do photography professionally. I wanted to be there to capture the great moments with my family and offer my services to others. Throughout my journey, I’ve experienced that my profession is a great way to network with other artists and masters of their craft. Photography is an art that allows me to express my creativity and showcase my talents to artists of various industries. I look forward to the growth and progression of my craft.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely been an up-and-down process because I basically learned from scratch. No one taught me how to use a camera and I didn’t take any classes. I was self-taught from the start. In hindsight, that was the best way to learn because I did it through trial and error, and it made me better as a result. What helped me push through the adversity was the fact that I enjoyed what I was doing. Even during the struggles, I was excited to learn and make improvements. For me, it was all about getting better and perfecting my craft.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
123 Shoot Photography is my company and brand, created from the anticipation felt during those final few moments before the camera flashes. It’s built on the idea of capturing great moments and illustrations that are timeless. I’m the photographer, videographer and CEO of this company. My creativity and attention to detail is what sets me apart from other artists in my industry. I’m most proud of the growth and success of the company in such a short period of time. I offer services in all aspects of photography, from wedding and engagement photos to professional headshots and lifestyle shoots. My schedule is flexible and I’m very accommodating to client needs.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Since doing photography, I’ve had the opportunity to reach out to other photographers who had prior years of experience and they were able to provide tips and share stories of their journey. I was also inspired by some of the YouTube and social media influencers that showed how to build your photography brand online.
Pricing:
- Wedding $1500
- Engagement Photos $250
- Head Shots $135
- Family Portraits $250
Contact Info:
- Website: www.123shootphotography.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/123shootphotography
- Facebook: Facebook.com/123shootphotographyllc
Image Credits:
Desiree, Amy, Janine, Valeri, Nelson (myself) and Asia.
