Everyone has a specific area in which they shine. But the question behind everyone’s mind today is can the passion be turned into an income generating venture?
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| Tony Mukuria |
Meet Tony Mukuria Maina a second year Daystar University student from Athi River Campus who is currently working for MTV. As one enters his house there are amazing photographs of Nairobi hanged around the room. Next to the television is an amazing photo of his dad with the words ‘the greatest gift in my life’. At one corner is his recently acquired camera responsible for all this amazing creations.
Before the interview starts he reaches for an old photo album of the first photographs he ever took. “As you can see I was the official family photographer back then”. If it there was one thing Tony loved the most when he was young was not a toy car or a video game but a camera. “I used to manipulate the camera and get very great photos. At times the camera manipulation could land me into trouble with my dad.”
The same passion for photography further heightened his interest in electronic media. This led to him joining Daystar University where he got a chance to sharpen his skills in what he calls ‘photoshoping’ or simply the art of editing a photo using a photo editing software called Adobe Photoshop. “I met a friend of mine who taught me quite a lot about Photoshop. He also had the same passion for photography. While he provided me with the knowledge, the Athi River environment provided the best setting for taking photographs.”
Tony recalls days when the two used to wake up early in the morning just to take photographs of the scenic sunrise of Athi River. “One time we woke up at around five in the morning just to wait for the sun to rise however, it was a foggy day and the sun was barely visible. As we were going back to our hostel, we saw a Zebra grazing. We took some shots just as it was disappearing in the bush. Its one of the memorable photographs I have in my collection.”
He started earning from his passion by creating posters for the Daystar University Students Association (DUSA). After this he formed his first organization dubbed, Design Republik that earned him more income thanks to the many posters he made for DUSA and also from making banners for various clubs in Daystar University.
“I however felt that this was not my destiny. While I was excelling in using Photoshop to create amazing posters, I was not doing anything with my passion for photography. I felt like I it was not my original work. The posters were all fantastic. In fact some have even earned me quite a sizeable income but at the end of the day I felt that I had not done what I believe was my calling.”
While he was still trying to figure out which path he would choose to follow between photography and ‘photoshoping’ he met Zenno Peterson, the Director of Photography for Shuga. He is also the man behind the series Jacob Cross that aired on both Mnet and KTN. According to Tony, Zenno has helped him a lot in terms of photography. “He took me in and showed me new ways of manipulating cameras.” Zino also helped him in terms of choosing the right environment for taking photographs and the right way to manipulate light to get perfect shots. It only took a month of working with Zino and his crew that Tony decided to close his old organization, Design Republik to form Mukuria Pichagraphy.
After two months was called back to MTV to work in the Director of Photography Mentorship program that helps talented photographers with equipment and also trains them further on new techniques in visual arts.
His impressive skills in camera landed him a job as a photographer in the on going shooting of Shuga season two in Nairobi. He is one of the photographers charged with taking photographs, editing them and presenting it to Zenno for approval. “I am working with one of the biggest names in Africa in the movie making business something I dreamt of two years ago. I finally felt that my passion was starting to earn me something.”
Tony’s father says that he is glad that his son is doing amazing things with his talent and passion. “I remember when he was young how he used to ask me to buy him a camera and how he loved taking photographs. He loves what he does and I will continue to give him the necessary support. I hope that he continues with the same spirit.” His long time friend Henry Mutisia says that Tony has a passion not only in photography but also in design. “Tony is a person who I knew ever since he joined Daystar. You could always see him with two things in campus, a book and a camera or if the books were not there a laptop was on hand to make amazing posters. He was a guy destined to be behind the camera and I am glad that his dream has now become a reality,” he said.
In terms of challenges Tony says, “Time is my greatest challenge. I was supposed to be in session this semester but the MTV job has made it difficult to go back to school. Maybe next year I will be back to continue with my studies.” He concluded by saying that people should be encouraged to work towards their passion. They should also not forget to ask God for guidance when doing so as He is the giver of talents and fulfiller of dreams. Thanks to his decision, he now earns more than he used to.
In 1921, a man by the name of Akio Morita was born into this world. His father owned a large wine producing factory in Japan. His father hoped that he would one day grow up and take over his firm. Akio however was destined for more. He loved physics and mathematics, subjects that fueled his undying love for electronics. After graduating from high school, he turned down his father’s offer of running the wine factory and instead taught Physics at the Osaka Imperial University.
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| Akio Morita (picture from sony.com) |
He later met Masaru Ibuka who also had the same love for electronics. The two friends formed Sony Corporation. From the DVDs we love to watch, to the flash discs that we use carry our documents and not forgetting the beautiful flat screen televisions were have come to love; are all from Akio and Masaru undying passion and love for electronics. According to Forbes Magazine their company is now valued at more than 155 billion US dollars.
So back to the question, can we really turn our passion into an income generating venture? The answer is yes but we only need to work towards our passion just like Tony, Akio and Masaru did.
By Duncan Wachira (07-1464)
For COM 349 X
The story is a profile
Word Count: 1,177
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