LARA Tiamiyu is at her best and happiest when beautifying women’s faces or taking people’s pictures. She simply derives so much pleasure and satisfaction from creating lifetime memories for others through her expert touches. And with her various experiences on this field, the head photographer of La’ Royal Concepts, a photography outfit located in Surulere, Lagos is not sure she would have found more fulfilment in another profession.

But why would such a pretty lady venture into photography when there are a million and one other more ‘feminine’ and better paying jobs? “My love for lights, pictures, action and adventure made me go into it. I actually started tentatively in 2008 but became a full professional in 2011,” she says.

Her passion for capturing things and love for the camera is another major contributory factor in her decision to become a photographer. “There is this thing about pictures and a professional photographer can tell many and different stories with them. For instance, through my pictures I am able to pass across messages of things that happen daily around me. I get my inspiration during my quiet time away from people; the environment, animals, flowers and the Lord.”

Aside photography, however, Lara is also into touching up faces and making hair for ladies. To her, these two though different are somehow similar as aspects of creativity and they simply flow together.

Going down memory lane, she traced her interest in photography to her childhood; while growing up, she admired good pictures. “I always found myself staring at them for long and this gave me the impression that everything around me is beautiful and can be captured even more beautifully.”

Because Lara’s parents raised their children in love and also taught them to express themselves, they were not so surprised when she announced to them her choice of profession. They were only amazed. “Their reaction was not condemning. They asked me the reason I was going into photography knowing fully well it is a male dominated field. But eventually, they saw reasons with me and even encouraged me although they were a bit worried about night duty.”

Initially, she also had to deal with people, who regard photographers as ‘hungry people.’ She would, however, want a change of view, as she says there is a huge difference between professional photographers and those that practise by the roadside.

Lara prides herself in her ability to capture and freeze a scene. “My uniqueness lies in the ability to be flexible and the fact that I am also a makeup artist,” she says.

Does she ever feel intimidated by her male counterparts? “I don’t see them as a threat because I know my job and I always give it my best shot. I don’t see myself in any competition with them or regard them as rivals because my work speaks for me.”

Getting adequate funds also posed a challenge in the beginning but as time went she learned the ropes and coped with things better. “In this business, life has taught me a lot of things including being consistent, focused, hardworking, humble and trusting in the Lord.”

Her role models include her mother, Seun Akintanmi, Amadi Obi and TY Bello whom she regards a strong woman for her ability to combine music with photography.

In her view, Nigerian photographers are making a lot of progress and are more appreciated now than before because of their professionalism. But for the industry to record even more progress, Lara would want a situation where an association of professional photographers is established for the purpose of sorting out the wheat from the chaff so that the professionals are thereby treated accordingly.

In a few years, Lara desires to have a photo studio as well as a make up studio and a salon under the same roof. With this, she believes her clients won’t have to stress themselves to access all the services provided by the different departments.

To her, women are the developers, builders and should be reckoned with in the society. In this vein, Nigerian women should, therefore, be able to carve a niche for themselves wherever they may be. Women wanting to go into photography should believe in themselves and be determined. They should also seek mentors in the industry that are capable of guiding them.

Although Lara finds it hard taking time off because of the nature of her job, she still finds time to go the movies once in a while. She cherishes quiet moments when she is able to refresh her mind and draw inspiration.

Born and bred in Lagos to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Adeniran Tiamiyu as the fourth of five children, Lara is from Osun State.

She attended Aunty Ayo Girls’ High School, Ikoyi and holds a diploma in Public Administration from Kogi State University. The English graduate of Imo State University had her professional photography training at Elo Photos, Ikeja before going fully into her own business.