Self taught photographer employs local women… turns painful loss into budding business

A painful childhood void has transformed into a thriving creative enterprise for local entrepreneur Olivia Nghaamwa, who used her own personal loss to build a photography business that now captures lifelong memories and creates employment for local women.

Nghaamwa, a University of Namibia (Unam) Bachelor of Education graduate, founded her business in 2021 after realising she had no photos of her late father, who passed away when she was just three months old.

Starting with a single camera purchased using her Nsfaf student refund, the self-taught photographer has spent the last five years turning her passion into a full-time operation that now employs two local women, proving that personal adversity can be a powerful catalyst for economic growth.

“I lost my father when I was just three months old. If he hadn’t taken pictures and hired a photographer for his wedding, I wouldn’t have known what he looked like. That made me realise how important photographs are because they preserve memories for generations,” she said.

She said her love for pictures and drawing started at a young age and later grew into a passion for photography. Learning the skill was not easy, especially without formal training.

“YouTube became my greatest teacher. I spent a lot of time watching videos and practising. I also used my first-year Nsfaf refund to buy my first camera, and that was the beginning of my business,” Nghaamwa said.

Like many small business owners, finding clients was one of her biggest challenges in the early days. She accepted every opportunity to build her portfolio while making sure every customer left satisfied. “It took a lot of consistency, patience and putting myself out there. I made sure every client had a good experience because I knew they could recommend me to others,” she said.

She said referrals from satisfied customers and social media played a big role in helping the business grow.

“Photography is not only about taking good pictures. You also have to market yourself, network with people, follow up with potential clients and build relationships. That is what helped me get more bookings,” she said.

According to the entrepreneur, the business has grown steadily over the past five years through hard work and consistency. She has expanded the range of photography services she offers and continues to attract new and returning clients. The business now employs two women, which she says makes her proud. She believes personal service is what sets her business apart in a competitive industry.

“I take time to understand what every client wants. I want people to feel comfortable during the shoot, so they receive natural, high-quality photographs. I also believe good communication, reliability and attention to detail make a difference,” she said.

To keep improving, Nghaamwa continues to learn new photography techniques and follows industry trends to ensure she offers clients quality services.

Despite the business growing, she said she has not received financial support from the government and has relied entirely on income generated by the business.

“Everything I have achieved has come from what I earn through the business. I have continued to invest in equipment and grow step by step,” she said.

Looking ahead, Nghaamwa believes more can be done to help small businesses succeed in Namibia. She called for easier access to affordable finance, business training and mentorship programmes for entrepreneurs.

She also said simpler business registration and tax processes, better internet access, affordable equipment and shared creative workspaces would help SMEs grow and compete in the market.

“Many small businesses have good ideas but struggle because they cannot access funding or the right support. With better opportunities, more entrepreneurs can grow their businesses and create jobs,” she said.

-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na

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