From Study To Studio| How These Orms CTSP Graduates Built Their Own Photography Business
Original article on Orms Cape Town School of Photography
Orms Cape Town School of Photography‘s Rita Pienaar, recently caught up with two of the 6-Month Part-Time Programme in Technical Photography’s graduates, Emecca Tshala and Asiphe Sibang, who ventured into business together, bringing a studio and photography services to Phillipi.
Orms Cape Town School of Photography prides itself in being able to equip passionate, young creatives with skills to break into both the photographic and entrepreneurship industries so were, of course, delighted to hear of Bokamoso Media, the brainchild of their graduates.
Rita: First off, tell us more about your business and what you offer.
Bokamoso Media is a partnership business founded by Emecca Tshala and Asiphe Sibango. Bokamoso was established in 2018 and currently operating at Phillipi Village, Cape Town. A common passion, vision, and purpose started this company and through this, we aim to bring photography alive through the front end viewers. Together we plan to use our photographic skills and the power of imagery to communicate real stories within South Africans.
The studio was developed within one of Cape Town’s larger townships surrounded by residential suburbs. Phillipi is home to many who took refuge in the 1980s and to date still suffers socio-economic, environmental and unemployment issues. Amongst all odds, Bokamoso was founded to empower young and old visionaries, a platform that allows people surrounding the area to freely express themselves. The photographs offered are affordable, professional as well as accessible.
Rita: What compelled you to start your studio?
The studio was developed within one of Cape Town’s larger townships surrounded by residential suburbs. Phillipi is home to many who took refuge in the 1980s and to date still suffers socio-economic, environmental and unemployment issues. Amongst all odds, Bokamoso was founded to empower young and old visionaries, a platform that allows people surrounding the area to freely express themselves. The photographs offered are affordable, professional as well as accessible.
Rita: What do you aim to achieve with this?
Our aim is to give people the feeling and experience of photography and the understanding that photography can be more than just a hobby, it can be a career. To inspire young people and last but not least tell a story through image.
Rita: What is your ultimate ideal goal for your business?
The ultimate goal for Bokamoso is to inspire. The name Bokamoso is of a Swahili origin that means “Future”, as the world advances into the technology we aim to advance through photography and capturing these moments through an image. Our goal is also to cooperate with other businesses that are in our field of art like graphic designers, modeling agencies, Web designers as well as to offer training to individuals who’d want to pursue a career in photography.
Rita: How is your studio different from others?
We think the flare, fresh ideas, and hunger we bring to the photographic industry. The fact that we are new, passionate and desire to learn, allows enough room for growth.
Rita: You’ve recently had the official launch of both Bokamoso Media and your studio, what did this entail?
Our studio opening stretched over 3 days, where offered visitors and members of the Phillipi Village and township community, the opportunity to see the space, and have an exhibition experience. We showcased a selection of works we produced running up to this day.
Rita: Finally, we loved having you as students – How do you think your studies here with us contributes to your business?
Orms has played an important role to where we are today, the theoretical and practical knowledge that we acquired helped us to understand photography and the businesses lessons we have had while we were students influenced the idea of opening our own company.
Be sure to give Bokamoso Media a follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to keep up with their incredible journey.
