Meet Monica Nwaigwe | Portrait photographer & Digital Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Nwaigwe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success has been being consistent. In the beginning you don’t have a ton of clientele so during the less busy seasons I invested in myself to become a master at my craft. I took on classes on using different lighting techniques and understanding the camera settings. I also started a series in which I would use what I learned to create different images.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create stunning portraits and editorial photography for families and businesses. From time to time, I get asked what sets me apart from other photographers. Before I answer that question, let me tell you what every photographer aims to do; they want to capture the authentic you and they want to give you pictures you’ll cherish forever. That’s something we all have in common.

Going back to your previous question about mentors and support, it was my friend Katina who encouraged me to do a deep dive into Photoshop and to train myself to specialize in editorial photos for families. Photographers offer those types of pictures to businesses and large brands, but few photographers offer editorialized photos to families or individuals.

Now, everyone comes to me for these magazine-style photos. I do very little advertising if at all. The majority of my work comes from word-of-mouth or from my social media platforms. When I post my work on Instagram (@MNJPhoto) and show the before and after edits, the bookings come in! People trust that they’ll get an amazing photo every time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love getting out, and I love sports, so I would definitely take my friends out to experience both. I love Ponce City Market. We would go there for shopping and good eats. Then, we would definitely rent bird scooters and ride them around Piedmont park. Next up, we’d have to attend a few sporting events and show some love for the local talent! The Braves, Falcons, and Atlanta United. I would probably end their visit with a hike along one of the many beautiful trails in Georgia, like Amicalola Falls. It would be a beautiful day, out in nature with a backpack lunch and beautiful views.
I’d take lovely pictures the entire time (I’m sure you saw that coming) so we could cherish the moments we had before they’d have to go back.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Its difficult to keep track of everyone who supported me because I feel like I’ve been surrounded by a wonderful community of friends and family. What I can do is highlight three people because their input and support came at critical moments for me. The first is my friend Mimi. When we first met, she was into photography. She brought her DSLR camera to a playdate we had organized for our children and encouraged me to try it out. I instantly fell in love with the camera. You have to understand, as far back as high school I’ve always worked with nothing more than a disposable camera to capture meaningful events.

The second person who propelled me into photography is my husband. He believed in me and went out of his way to provide for this dream of mine. You see, our kids were really young, so it’s not like we had a lot of disposable income. My husband searched all over the internet until he found an amazing deal on a quality second-hand DSLR camera. He surprised me with it for my birthday. It was an incredibly touching gesture.

The third person is my friend, Katina. When we met, she was transitioning out of photography to become a content writer. She was like a guide, always there to nudge me in the right direction. When my technical skills eventually surpassed hers, she continued to guide me in running a photography business, presenting myself to the world, and in finding additional courses to take my skills to the next level. Her guidance put me on a path to creating editorialized photographs and more.

Website: Www.mnjphoto.com

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Twitter: Mnjphoto

Facebook: Mnjphoto