Mark Bwire
CLICKING AWAY: Photography may seem like one of the quickest hustles but for Mark Bwire, it is a tough job. Although this biz started out as a passion, together with his partner, they are minting some.
What kind of business do you do?
I am a photographer and I started this business in 2015 with my partner Rashid Matovu.
What is the name of your business?
Soul Image Art.
Why this kind of business?
We were passionate about pictures. I used to work as a photo editor at a certain studio which helped me master my photoshop skills while my partner had editing and photography skills.
How much did you invest it?
I never bothered counting since it never started as a business, but rather a hobby until we started earning from it. But we used money from our savings.
What services do you offer?
Events photography, commercial photography, fashion/portraits photography and architectural photography.
What drives this business?
Passion, commitment and the will to learn new skills.
Where is this business located?
We operate mostly online, because that way we are able to reach many clients with ease. It also helps us do our post production within our comfort time.
How much do you charge for the different services offered?
Our pricing is determined by our clients’ needs, which involves content, time and travel. For personal photoshoots, we charge Shs300,000 and family photoshoot Shs500,000. Birthday Shs250,000 and weddings between Shs4.5m to Shs7.5m.
How much do you make in profits in a month?
The profits are not constant. Sometimes we make between Shs1m and Shs2m, depending on how jobs come in. If it is a busy month like December, the profits are higher because the clients are more.
What challenges do you face doing this business?
It is a very expensive business but the ugly part is our clients do not know that. It is also a competitive business and yet there is small market for professional photography in Uganda.
And the benefits?
A bit of exposure, connections and survival.
What type of machines do you use?
Camera; Nikon7200 and Canon D5mark 111 and other things such as light equipment.
Delivery is one of the key factors in this business. How long do you take to deliver a client’s work?
That depends on the project and how it is paid for, but we do not exceed three days for a simple photoshoot and we usually take two to three weeks on a big project.
— Isaac Ssejjombwe
