09 Aug 2018

The saying: “if one does not build their dreams, someone will hire them to build theirs” is motivation for Mr Lazarus Phillimon, aged 50 of Maun as he goes about his photography business.

Mr Phillimon says not only does the saying strengthen him for the day ahead, but it also keeps him motivated to achieve his dream.

He said after completing his Form Two in 1985 at Linus Shashi Papo Secondary School in Namibia, where his aunt was residing, he decided to come back to Botswana to search for greener pastures, and settled in the taxi business as a driver, a job he revered as lucrative back then. But in 2007, something stirred inside him when he saw a photographer being interviewed on Botswana Television (Btv) about his profession. 

He said the interview caught his eye and he found himself thoroughly captivated by the whole thing.

“This particular photographer was excitedly narrating how one can improve their photography skills. I vividly remember that he talked about different components that make a good photo such as lighting, framing and angles,” Mr Phillimon noted. 

From that day henceforth, he said, he took heed of that valuable advice and never looked back as he instantly knew God was calling him to his true vocation and so he decided to watch and learn as photographers went about their business.

He said in 2008, he took a leap of faith and tested the waters, left his job as a taxi driver and ventured into a new journey of a career he never trained for. 

With no start-up capital for his photography business, Mr Phillimon said he prayed every day for a miracle and indeed one came, as a Good Samaritan gave him P3 000 and he bought a digital camera and other equipment to start his mobile photography business. 

He said he travelled to various parts of Maun on foot to take photos at customers’ convenience even in homes. 

He said as his clientele increased, he bought a bicycle to make his work easier as he had to go back and forth taking pictures and printing them in town, which was a wearisome process for him. 

“In 2012, my business grew in leaps and bounds. I had clients as far as Matlapaneng ward. The bicycle was not doing it for me anymore and since I already had savings from motshelo, I bought a car and things became easier for my business,” Mr Phillimon said.

Along the way, he said he realised that a car and the door-to-door delivery were not working in his favour anymore, hence he found a space in the heart of Maun just behind Nandos in Old Mall. 

He said since he wanted to stand out and be the photography service provider of choice, he took inspiration from the Garden of Eden for his studio, which is extraordinary and unique, hence Photo Mobile Studio was born. 

According to the savvy entrepreneur, he is the number one choice for printing identity card and passport photos, photo enlargements and laminations. 

He said he also does video shoots for different events such as parties, weddings and graduation ceremonies. 

To add pazzaz to the studio, there is wall paper, traditional décor, green carpet, white-picket fencing as well the artificial shrubberies and flowers. ENDS