Meet Tola Ajibade of MythicVoice LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tola Ajibade.

Hi Tola, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was five years old the first time I ever clicked the shutter. At the time, I got a children’s camera for my birthday, and I used it to document my first trip to the US and all my family’s adventures on our way back to Nigeria. I have very distinct memories of photographing my grandfather’s funeral after I got back to Nigeria. I don’t know what became of those pictures, but it would be nice to see them if they’re still around somewhere one day.

At that age, I don’t think I knew that people had careers as photographers, but I fiddled with cameras on and off for years after that. I rediscovered my passion for photography in medical school. Initially, it started as a creative exercise and a way to stay sane amid all the academic rigors. Toward the end of medical school, people started asking me for my rates. I didn’t have an answer and didn’t feel compelled to give one because I expected to continue my medical career immediately after graduation.

Ironically, I didn’t get into residency right away, and I needed a job. I was doing whatever jobs I could at the time, and people kept asking for my rates, so I had to come up with a number. That’s how it all started, and I have been building my company ever since. Nowadays, I am a board-certified psychiatrist and a professional wedding/portrait photographer, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To say that the roads have been a little rough would be an understatement. I certainly wouldn’t recommend building two careers from the ground up simultaneously. However, if you do find yourself in such a predicament, I am proof that it can be done.

In terms of struggles, I would say that there were/are three key challenges:

1. For anybody starting a business, I think the biggest challenge is gonna be learning how to communicate your unique value to your ideal client. That’s something every business struggles with, even as you continue to grow.

2. When you first start out as an entrepreneur, there’s a tendency to burn the midnight oil and the candle from both ends. Learning to create workflows that help you set good boundaries with yourself is also challenging.

3. Building a business is emotionally taxing, and in my case, I was getting doubly taxed because I was also working as a healthcare professional simultaneously. As a psychiatrist, I often say that no one comes to your door because they’re having a good day. Adding the emotional weight of your patient’s struggles to whatever issues are going on in other areas of your life/business, left me feeling burnt out more times than I care to admit

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At its core, MythicVoice is built on storytelling. We believe that the best images live at the confluence of connections between people, places, and experiences. For this reason, we specialize in portraits, weddings, and special occasions.

I’m most proud of the fact that we take a whole-person approach to our consultations and our sessions. Our consultations go beyond the basic logistics of your intended session or event. Hiring a photographer is a highly relational process, and we take every opportunity to understand who you are and what you value so that we can deliver an experience that you will love.

What sets us apart is that we prioritize safety, collaboration, and meaning in everything that we do. Unless they have lived experience with complex situations, most photographers are not actively thinking about issues surrounding accessibility, disability, and medical conditions. However, because of my clinical background, understanding and addressing those unique needs is integral to planning our sessions. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve, so we welcome feedback.

We aim to be good stewards of the days in your life that you don’t want to forget. Let’s tell your story together.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Always be gracious, but don’t be a pushover.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mythicvoice.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mythicvoice
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mythicvoiceLLC/

Image Credits
Photograph of Tola Ajibade by Jenny V. Photography.