Meet Manny Moka | Director of Photography & Cinematographer

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

Hi Manny, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
An attribute that I’ve always tried to show to people is that I will always put out the best work I can no matte the circumstances. Through out my career I’ve done many job that either don’t pay me much or don’t pay me at all. My thought has never been to make sure the client sees my worth but for me to do the very best I can to satisfy myself and to honor God who gave me the opportunity to do what I love.

Today I think we have to many people especially in the creative industry who are doing what they do to be “popular” or think that this is the “easier” industry to be in. I believe the soul of this are has been removed and replace with a rat race mentality. Money is important, there’s no getting around that but creating because it’s apart of you is something different.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I take a lot of pride in always being able to deliver high quality work no matter what obstacles or challenges have been in my way. Everybody who has ever worked with me knows that if you ask for me to get something done I will get it done. A lot of times I’ll go out of my way to make things happen. However that doesn’t mean you’ll get anything less than excellence with me. I’ve worked hard to make sure my name is synonymous with quality no matter what camera gear I might have in my hands. It’s never been acceptable to me to not get the very best out of what you have just because it may not be top of the line.

Professionally clients have always liked that about me. My professional reputation is one the reasons why some clients have worked with me for over 5 years, even when I no longer live in the area. In my opinion you could be very talented but if people don’t like working with you, talent doesn’t matter. That doesn’t mean I’ve let people walk all over me but because I respect my clients time they in return respect me. In the end everybody wins and the relationship grows.

I won’t get along with everybody and I haven’t gotten along with everybody, that’s just apart of life. But I tell people all the time that no matter how big or small a client is, always treat them as if they are a top priority. Somebody has decided to take a chance on you, investing time and money into you. The least you can do is make sure they know you respect them for the opportunity and do the best work you can. That is what anybody who works with me will get without fail.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There is always something happening the city, tailored to different people and interests. I’m sure we can always find new things to do or events to go to. We can always go to Top Golf and laugh at ourselves not being able to hit a single golf ball. Then maybe head over to Mirko Pasta which is a great low key spot that has amazing fresh made pasta. I honestly don’t move around a lot and much rather have good whiskey, light up the grill and about life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First all praise to Jesus Christ for giving me the opportunity and ability to do what I do.

Love and respect to my family for always supporting me in this journey and never doubting me. Shout out to all my people in Dubai. Dubai Night for giving me my first job out there. Fatima Elhag for locking me in with Yas Marina Circuit and opening up so many opportunities for me. There are so many others, DJ Bliss, Shef Codes, Kickstq, Hayat Zenati the list goes on. I love and appreciate all of ya’ll out there.

Too everybody in Atlanta who’s been rocking with me since I moved back home, I appreciate ya’ll. Shoutout to Will Hill, Scoon, Ro1UP, Barlow, the team at Agenda Studios and many others.

Website: https://www.iammannymoka.com

Instagram: mannymoka

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-moka-370796191/

Image Credits
Photo credit for my main profile image is: Shaun Rodecker