Meet Amari Akua | Photography. Videography. Editing. Filmmaking.

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

Hi Amari, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
When I was young, the camera would mesmerise me. Seeing myself, seeing others, then capturing that moment in time forever. By doing pictures and films, I was able to express myself in ways I never had before. I knew I wanted it to be an integral part of my being. One of the fortunate things of being born in this era is that the need for pictures, video, and media is at an all-time high. This allows me to live through my passion while also making a living.

What should our readers know about your business?
The great thing about my relationship to art and business is that they inform one another. I began film classes in 10th grade and fell in love with storytelling through film. As a kid, I made a few stop-motion videos on my Nintendo 3DS, so I already had the urge in me to create something more. My photography skills I had already acquired before film class, informed my ability to frame shots and create visual storytelling. When my business began to take off in 2019, my filmmaking and personal photography skills informed my business skills. I was able to frame business videography with intention and artistic integrity, as well as my pictures. When I make my compilation edits- which are video and photo montages with music and graphics- the principles of storytelling I learned from film inform that aspect of my business as well. Since 2019, I’ve been able to fly across the world performing my services, from California, Missouri, Chicago, Ghana, and this summer, Egypt. I’ve been able to shoot for graduations (Clark Atlanta University), national & regional conferences (HBCU Executive Leadership Institute, Black Students of California United), and significant public figures (Angela Davis, Andre Dickens, Principal Kafele). I’ve also been able to help create multiple online platforms used nationwide. I am the lead video editor for Reading Revolution Online, an educational reading supplement. I am also the lead editor of STEM Genius Online, another educational platform. In order to get to this point, I had to make a pointed effort to prioritize my business and client satisfaction, making sure I put everything into each project. I think what makes me and my business stand out is who I am and what I stand for. I believe in developing myself and my skillset so that I can perform any task needed at the highest level. I believe in respect, understanding, and patience when working with clients to better form relationships. While I mostly work alone, depending on the scale of certain projects or events, I will ask my girlfriend Aiyana Cooper, who also does media services. When you work with me, you’re investing in a young black man and his future. Doing this work allows me to stay in school while also advancing my career.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Every time people come to my side of town, I make sure to take them to the same places I love. I’ll always stop by Little Five Points and take them to the black owned record shop over there called Moods Music. There’s always Neo-soul pouring through the speakers, and there’s a fragrant natural oil and shea butter smell in the air- a must-see. I’ll then take them up the street a little to Freedom Park, where they have my favorite feature in the city- FREE PARKING. From there, we can hit the beltline to relax. I pride myself on knowing the best down to earth restaurants and cuisines in the Northeast Atlanta area, so I’ll either take them to Zyka- a wonderful indian cafeteria, Thaicoon, the best Thai food I’ve ever had, Quoc Huong, a Vietnamese fast food place with great pho and even better prices, or Embilta Cafe & Restaurant, an Ethiopian joint with amazing awaze (stew). I’ll always make sure that whoever visits me has an amazing food experience.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom, Willette Akua, and my dad, Chike Akua, deserve all the praise for letting me flesh out my dreams. Since I was a kid, I would get hold of their small Kodak cameras and take pictures of them and objects around the house. They could’ve easily gotten sick of camera flashes in their faces and full SD cards, but they saw how much joy it brought me. Whenever they would take cam videos of me as a kid, I would always demand to be behind the camera. My dad is a public speaker and consultant, and when he would do lectures around the country, I would sometimes get to accompany him. I would be on camcorder duty from about age 7-13. While I can almost guarantee none of the footage I took is usable, it made me familiar with cameras and managing a tripod.
Fast forward to when I was 15 and my parents got me my first camera, and I was in love. I would spend hours around the yard or down the street in a creek, taking pictures. My dad would keep bringing me to his events and told me that he would pay me for good pictures of him. It blew my mind that I could get paid to do what I love so much. After a while, he encouraged me to sell my services to people at the events he would attend, and the rest is history!

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/multihmedia

Instagram: @amari.akua

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@solaray03

Other: amariakua@gmail.com