Today we’d like to introduce you to Onyana Rosa
Hi Onyana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I got started in photography during my time at Savannah College of Art and Design. I had a lot of great friends who were so talented. One of those friends was Jessica Goldsberry. She was a graphic design major like me, and she did photography. She would take pictures of all our friends and show me her work. It got me so interested that I wanted to try it. So in 2007 I took some money from my college refund check and bought my first professional camera. It was a Nikon D40x. Since then, the photography bug hasn’t left me.
Today, I am a Lead UX Designer for a large wholesale distributor, a DJ, and a photographer. I am currently building my photography company from the ground up. I told myself that in 2024 I want to step away from having photography as only a passion and start having it as my business. I did it for 6 years with my DJing company, so I can make it happen with photography, too!
I am also into building community amongst photographers of all levels. So I started the Likeminded Photo Walk. I started the walk to give a safe space for photographers to network, root for each other’s achievements, and encourage each other to stay on the path of photography. I don’t want people who are passionate about it to give up. I want them to feel like the story they have to tell is important and necessary, even if they use their iPhones to do it – LOL!
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?
Despite being very determined and driven, I have struggled a lot with self-doubt. I know that I am capable of doing anything that I put my mind to, but sometimes the imposter syndrome gets to me and causes me to second-guess myself. This may be a cliche phrase in today’s cultural climate, but mental health is important, especially for a creative. We are responsible for forging the way for culture and creating tastes of the time. Our heads must be dialed in as much as possible because that is a big task! Today, thanks to my late therapist and counselor, The Great Dr. Fiyah, I have the tools I need to keep my mind sharp so that I can create in the way I am meant to. But I am only human. Sometimes it is hard.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a photographer who specializes in portrait photography of entrepreneurs, especially, but not limited to musicians.
I am known for my use of color, and conceptual composition of my subjects.
I strive to infuse a sense of majesty and grace. I create images that are both attainable and aspirational.
Right now I am most proud of how I move forward despite mental blocks and obstacles. I have been setting goals and reaching them. I survived a challenging 5-month mentorship program. I am beginning this journey, so my proud moments may appear meaningless to some. My proudest moment is yet ahead of me. It is just around the corner.
My kindness. My open-mindedness. My willingness to help. My fearlessness.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
People matter to me. I’m an introvert, no doubt about it. But, I have always been a people person. I find people who are different from me so interesting. I mean, everyone is different from me, but I am usually really intrigued. And the stories of those people matter very much to me. It matters to know why they don’t like to show the left side of their face. Getting the reason for that helps me to do my work better and more effectively. I can give you a better photo if I understand where you come from, who you want to be, or where you want to go. That is why I do this work. It is why I am so into my photo walk. It is also why I became a DJ. The connectedness of people over a given medium matters so much to me. Whether that medium is music, or visual arts – like photography, I like to be in tune with people, and I love it when people are in tune with one another.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.onyanarosa.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/onyanarosa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069513762352
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djwowyana
- Other: https://www.wowyana.com
Image Credits
Additional photos 3, 4, and 5: yours truly, Onyana Rosa
