After a long time of fixing an appointment to have this interview, he finally managed to find time out of his busy schedules. A.Y as he is popularly called is a successful photographer in the Lawanson area. He tells us how he started photography, his family and educational background and his experience in the business of photography so far.
Enjoy this talk with CEO Sunbo Photographi, A.Y Dairo.
Can we meet you?
My name is Dairo Ayodele, CEO, Sumbo Photographi.Tell us about your childhood and your background
We started in the 90s, it all began with my mother Mrs. Sunbo Dairo, who started the business, then still analogue and as time goes on we move into digital photography. We started at IK Dairo street. The business name was Olaoluwa Photography before we changed to Sunbo Photographi.
We started with Analogue 101 camera. i, my mum and my two brothers. The business has expanded over time as we now have about 4 branches in Nigeria and also have a branch in the United Kingdom.
So, photography is a family business for you?
Yes, its a family business.
Tell us about your educational background
I attended Moslem Primary School, Idiaraba, and then Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School, the best school in Surulere then, till now, Up School! Up boys! After my secondary education, i wrote my SSCE exams and jamb, after plenty of trying to gain admission into the university with no headway, i started DLI in Unilag but could not finish, so i enrolled in LASPOTECH and finished my OND there, i studied accounting. After Laspotech, i started doing photography properly, but still not satisfied with the education i have so i decided to put in for National Open University and i am still running the program there till now, i am studying mass communication, in line with the photography business. I am also looking forward to do a program in photography in the UK or USA.
How did you start doing photography?
As i was growing up, i realized that the only one who can help you is God, and the next person is yourself. So looking into the family, my father tried his best, my mother also did her best but i thought i had to do more for myself, so when i was back from school those days i would resume to the studio, i did that right from my primary school days. There was a day that my mum was not around but she left the camera in the studio, customers were coming and i did not want them to go so i picked up the camera and took the pictures. I used about three rolls of films that day and made an advance payment of N7000 as an amateur photographer.
If you don't have the luxury of a family that is into photography, would you still be doing photography?
You know, in life you sometimes do not determine what you do, you discover it. I remember my mum asked me what i would become when i grow up, and i said carpentry, it was so funny. She is someone with high entrepreneurial spirit and she likes to encourage her children to get skills. She then told me that she will take me to a furniture house.
As time went on, i was making money from the photo studio, and i was selling cartons and sellotape to some fridge traders on the street, it is a very commercial area, they use the cartons to wrap the fridge to protect it when they are traveling to other states
with their goods.
So when you were a kid you wanted to be a carpenter?
Mmmh, well, you know when you are a kid you just say something that comes out of your mouth.
But, what did you really loved to do if not photography?
Well, its too late to do something else now, but i would be doing hair styling if i was not don't photography. Carpentry was just what came out of my mind when i was a kid, the scripture said that anything you find yourself doing, you should do it with your heart and at the long run, you will find your purpose in it.
What do you love about photography?
I love so many things about photography, one good thing i love about it it that photography is a very easy job. You just press the button and the work is done. What i also like is the wedding photography aspect, you have the opportunity to travel outside the country, i have bee to Ghana and South Africa for a wedding job. It is a very good job with great pleasure while on duty. After the wedding ceremony you can hangout with the bride and guests and catch loads of fun.
Do you have a mentor?
I have mentors, not just in photography but in other aspects of life. Pastor Sam Adeyemi and Bishop Oyedepo are my mentors who encourage me to be optimistic and not pessimistic. I don't have mentors in photography because i believe i am taking over.
I thought you would call your mum as your mentor
Yeah, my mum is my mentor, but you know you cannot have only who taught you as a mentor, you have to strive to be better than you teacher. But i will say my mum is still my mentor still.
What lesson have you learnt about life through photography?
I have learnt to be patient, very smart, creative, proactive, and i have also learnt the importance of light.
If you are offered a huge amount of money to stop photography and do another job, would you agree?
It depends on the amount of money, although i am priceless but we can negotiate it.
Like hundred thousand Naira?
(laugh) I make that i one hour.
Two million Naira?
i make that in a day (laughs)
like ten billion Naira?
(laughs) i see that in a month (laughs)
Well i think you like your job , so you cannot leave it.
Yeah, that is true.
So, describe the hustle or challenges you face in you business
My job is easy, no much challenges but for me i will say the challenge i encounter is in keeping jobs and keeping them safe. You don't want to tell a client that his/her file is missing. Storage for me is a major challenge.
What really is your business or services?
Our business at Sunbo Photographi is officially to make quality wedding coverage, very professional wedding photography and videography. That is our business.
What is your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from God.
What is your motivation?
I listen to motivational audios from Sam Adeyemi, Bishop Oyedepo and other good motivational materials.
Have you had bad times in the business?
Not really, i cant say there has been a bad time, i just thank God for everything, He has bee faithful.
What plans do you have for the business in the nearest future?
We have big plans to serve our customers better. We will be expanding and having more branches all over the world and also improve our quality of service delivery.
What is the biggest business risk you have taken so far?
I take business risks everyday.
Hoe does it feel to be married?
It feels great, i feel blessed. It has been a blessing to the business also because people see me as a responsible man. People seem to have more confidence in me since i got married.
How do you view competitors?
Competition is good for business, they make you do more and keep you on your toes. I love competition.
How do you make new customers and how do you keep the old ones coming back?
I just do my best to do a good job, we let our job speak for us. We also do advert through social media.
How do you relax?
My job is relaxation , i enjoyed and refresh myself while doing my job.
What do you know about Quadoowear?
Quadoowear is doing great. You know, the CEO Quadoo has been doing this for a long time and it is just like building a house, the foundation of the house determines the kind of structure you want to erect. He has been making solid foundation and his future is very bright.
Tell us your social media contacts
We are on all social media, just google Sunbo Photographi and you will find us online.
What do you think about Nigeria?
Nigeria is a good country, we just need to work together so that we can be great.
If you were the president of Nigeria, what is the one thing that you would do differently?
I will try my best to provide constant electricity.
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