Olayemi Dada is the C.E.O of SmatStudios – a top-class photography business. He is based in London, United Kingdom with his lovely wife and son. Olayemi has been in the photography industry for a good number of years and has also had the opportunity to work with great professionals in the industry such as Eniola Alakija, Tope (Affinity ‘Q Photography), Dayo (Dazzitto), Adebayo Deru, to mention a few. He derives pleasure in what he do and puts maximum effort each time.
Your Brand In Three Words… Unique, Innovative, Ingenious
The Part of My Job I Enjoy The Most… Getting client’s feedback of satisfaction after the job is done.
What’s the most difficult part of your job? Dealing with friends/families of clients that try to tell me how to do my job. Almost 90% of the time, there will always be someone who feels he/she knows better on how to capture moments or poses. Some people can push too hard that I get frustrated, but as a professional I always keep my cool and make sure the job is done perfectly.
Do you think Nigerian wedding vendors are respected enough? I think we are a little bit under with regards to the respect we deserve. Although it has improved a great deal lately, with a good number of people appreciating what we do and seeing the importance of professional vendors. It can only get better.
The Best Vendor You’ve Worked With? This is a challenging one. Every photographer has got his/her shooting style and I love the works of a good number of photographers. But to mention a few, I’d go with Tope (Affinity ‘Q Photography}, Dayo (Dazzitto), and Eniola Alakija.
One Quality Every Nigerian Wedding Vendor Must Have and Why? Professionalism – This is the foundation of success in every line of business. It is the basis of it all and we as wedding vendors need to be professional from first contact with our clients up until completion of the job. Respect is earned, as vendors we have to remain professional in all we do to earn the respect we deserve.
Most Embarrassing/Awkward Experience… None I can think of… I would say its been fun and smooth so far.
Does anything scare you? Gear failure. I always do a thorough check of my gears and their functions three times over before every shoot. I was once at an event where a fellow photographer had problems because his gears failed. Since then, the thought of being in such a situation scares me that I take thorough checks of my gears each time and also keep spares (just in case).
What’s the best souvenir you’ve gone home with from a wedding you’ve attended/worked at? In 2014 I covered a wedding and surprisingly got a gift bag with an iPad and a ‘thank you’ note from the couple. I would say the note was a better gift because it had such lovely words, and to think I was that much appreciated even before I delivered the photos. It melted my heart.
Your thoughts on social media? Social media is like the best thing for wedding vendors. The internet is the fastest way to source for information and also advertise. For me, social media a blessing to the wedding industry as vendors can easily showcase their work and connect with clients.
Do you ever Google yourself or your company and what did you find? I actually google my business every now and then, and I am always happy with what I get. First thing I always see is ‘what clients say about SmatStudios’. Positive feedback always keeps me motivated to do more.
In my Spare Time, I spend most of my free time with my family, either staying in or having a family outing. I also do a lot of photography research online and learn from other great minds.
Interesting Fact about You, I am an instrumentalist, I play the drums and a bit of the bass guitar… Also good with the pen on paper, I’m a bit of an artist.
Where do you feel most at home? Lagos, Nigeria… Spent most of my years in Lagos and to me it is HOME.
What Songs Are Currently on Replay? I have a CD that is always on repeat, but still got some favourites
- Ebezina – Preye
- Twale – Flo
- Ope lo ye o – Flo
- Dansaki – Lara Goerge
- Covenant keeping God – Sonnie Badu
Call or Text? Both… I like calls because it adds a bit more connection, but also love texts because it keeps me on the go.
Cook or Be Cooked For? Cooked for of course. My days of cooking are gone, not like I was a good cook, lol
Favorite Food? Eba and egusi soup
What’s your favourite item of clothing? Blazers – I love the way they convert a simple/casual look to a professional/serious look. They come in very handy especially when you have last minute meetings with clients; so I always have one in my car.
Ideal Holiday Destination… Miami – My love for beaches I can’t explain
Any Pets? None… I love dogs but not enough to keep one.
3 Guests For Dinner, who would they be?
- Michael Zelbel
- Alexander Amosu
- Mohammed Buhari
