Chi Zama shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Chi, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: When was the last time you felt true joy?
The last time I felt true joy was Saturday August 16th- I completed one of my biggest milestones, hosting my first Solo Photography Exhibition- No Protocol. After months of planning and curating I was able to share some of my past work as well as new while creating an experience the people around me could enjoy. No Protocol is a perspective and reminder that there is no rulebook to life and specifically for creatives- there doesn’t have to be one path a photographer, videographer, artists, etc has to take- we get to carve our own paths. The photography in the exhibition all tie to this perspective in different ways.
The support from my friends and family was amazing andIt was a great feeling to have people from different parts of my life all in one room experiencing my craft.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Chi Zama and I am an all around creative at heart. I started as a photographer around 5 years ago and now I have branched off and I am mastering other crafts including cinematography, directing, and creative strategy. I don’t like to put myself in a box and I think sometimes as creatives we can tend to do this to ourselves. I enjoy taking on a variety of projects from editorial passion projects to working with musicians and even businesses looking to add a mix of creativity and strategy. I would say my strength is having a blend of strong creativity as well as understanding of how to strategize for my clients.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents taught me the most about work and I believe I get a lot of my work ethic from them. They came a long way from Cameroon, constantly remind me to be grateful for the opportunities that I have and to take advantage of them. We all have gifts and we owe it to the world to develop and share them.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
In college I came in as a Pre-Dental student thinking I was on my way to becoming an Orthodontist in my future. However, I just could not see myself staying in the career after shadowing in a dental clinic going into my third year of college. I really felt lost and ended up switching my major to Computer Science even though I would have to cram my requirements into the my last two years of college. There were tests I failed, and I really struggled to get a hang of things but through the struggle my perspective on failure changed to understanding that failure brings you one step closer towards success. Rather than dwelling on the failure itself, I learned to look past it and look forward towards reaching my goals.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that gear matters. I heavily disagree with that statement because creativity and understanding of the fundamentals of lighting, composition, and storyline are really what draw someone in to art, irrespective of the craft. Especially in a time where we consume so much content from social media, I think good storytelling is something that humans are naturally drawn to, and it’s a skill that is becoming even more valuable. If you have an idea but don’t think you have the right gear- execute the idea with the limited gear or minimal budget and focus more on the actual story you’re trying to tell!
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am around family, friends, and like-minded people. There’s a sense of gratitude that you have when you are able to pour into the people around you and it’s reciprocated. The relationships I have inspire me to continue creating and give me diverse perspectives on life in general.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zamastudios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bychizama/
Image Credits
Chi Zama
