Laminar Studios (originally Sleek Photography) was founded by Oluwatosin Lamina in 2016 and it started out of his small bedroom with a basic entry-level camera and has grown into a successful business. His love for photography drew him away from his professional career as a geologist into the world of art. He enjoys traveling, cycling, and cooking.
My alarm goes off at 5 am
Describe a typical day at work… A typical day at work for me actually starts from the night before. I ensure all the gears needed for the day are in good working conditions, complete, and ready for the day. In addition, I ensure that I communicate a clear plan to the rest of the team to prepare for the job ahead. On the day of the shoot, our team arrives at the location early, ensures our client feels comfortable and has the best time with us.
Your brand in three words… Client-centered, Professional, Creative
The part of my job I enjoy the most…
- Shooting – (I love to observe, and it’s quite beautiful to see people put down the walls they’ve built and be their unapologetic vulnerable selves)
- Networking – Meeting new people and connecting (You’d be surprised how much you learn from these new connections)
What’s the most difficult part of your job? Managing difficult clients especially when they have unrealistic expectations and editing is usually long and tedious (especially because I like to be meticulous with my work)
My biggest accomplishment to date… My biggest accomplishment to date wouldn’t be about who I have shot, or what I have acquired. It would be the one time I delivered a wedding job to a client and immediately after receiving it, she Face timed me and was crying profusely at how beautifully the images were captured. In that moment, I realized what value my work brings to a lot of people.
One quality every wedding vendor must have and why… Flexibility: Weddings are fast-paced and very dynamic, A lot of last-minute changes happen at weddings before and during the wedding. The ability to work with these changes is key
What’s the best souvenir you’ve gone home with from a wedding you’ve attended or worked at? I have gotten a lot of great souvenirs, but I can’t say any is the best, I am guessing this is a challenge to my next clients.
Your thoughts on social media? It is a very helpful tool in brand promotion. It gives you the opportunity to display your work and bring in clients. The photography business is about showing and telling. In as much as you want to satisfy your existing clients, you still want to be able to bring in new customers and so social media gives you an affordable way to do this.
Your top wedding photography tips for couples
- Relax and try to have fun especially when in front of the camera
- Try to be as natural as possible as forced poses take away from the beauty of the pictures
- Rest and ensure you are well hydrated before any shoot; it does wonders to your natural shine.
An interesting fact about you… I am very awkward in front of the camera myself; it is easier said than done. So kudos to the couples who kill it!
Most Embarrassing/ awkward experience… One time I ripped my trousers at a wedding and had to continue shooting the entire wedding. It was very embarrassing seeing everyone looking at me and whispering to each other, or pointing at me and having side talks. If you know me well, I hate been under the spotlight, however, I knew I had a job to do, so I had to ignore
What makes you laugh? Anything really. But if I am to pick one thing, I would say Trevor Noah’s comedy which I love.
Does anything scare you? The fear of unfulfilled potential. Nobody likes regrets
In my spare time? I spend time with loved ones, travel, and watch documentaries
Where do you feel most at home? They say home is where the heart is so I am at home wherever my loved ones and family are; geographical location doesn’t matter.
Best piece of advice… Never give up in your pursuit of life no matter what; if you fail, you aren’t in the same place as before. You learnt, hence you grew.
Your favorite emoji… 😂
What would we find on your bedside table? A Joel Osteen or Brian Tracy book.
What’s your favourite item of clothing? Native attire – I don’t mean the dramatic ones like the agbadas and aso-oke. I mean the simple – top and trousers – kinda native. I like how they take away the pressure of figuring what to wear and with what. Also, how comfortable they are. If I had my way, I would wear them every day, Hahaha.
Call or text? Calls, I prefer calls to text. However, in my line of work, I have come to understand that texts and emails are more important and effective.
Cook or Be cooked for? Cook – I love to cook, as long as I don’t have to do it as a chore (Inside joke for my siblings). I find cooking very therapeutic. Hopefully, in the not too far future, I could become a chef.
3 guests for dinner, who would they be?
- Rihanna (and we can call it a date, lol)
- Joel Osteen
- Desmond Doss, he is late now, but he is someone whose story I find quite inspiring, and challenging.
Quite inspiring. Totally worth the read. Kudos.