Changing the face of photography

A plus sized mother of two, she had spent three hours in a photo shoot that had produced pictures which had made her proud for the first time of her eight-year-old post pregnancy body.
Flavia Luwero, is the sales manager and mind behind Face Studio on Bandali Rise in Bugolobi. No ordinary studio, it is different because a photo shoot takes at least three to four hours rather than a few minutes. Once a client walks in, they are given complimentary refreshments, before having a free makeover, mini manicure and a hairstyling session which lasts about 40 minutes.

The makeover only includes styling hair (no braiding, cutting or weaving) and polishing nails. Flavia and her team of stylists do not encourage anyone to leave the makeup room unless they are content with the way the look. This takes about half an hour or 45 minutes before an hour (or longer) photo shoot. The Face Studio clients are told to come with at least three or four outfits for this session.

They are offered props and given different suggestions on how to pose.
Although a client may have their own idea on how they want the picture to be taken, Flavia prefers to do the directing. “It’s just because, as photographers, we know angles that would look better than the person whose picture we are taking.” She has been in the industry for eight years, seven working in the UK. The last year, she has been a freelance photographer in Uganda.
She also learnt a great deal about relaxing a client and this is why music is played all over the studio and adjusted according to the client’s preference at her studio. “Once you look after someone they feel good and this reflects in their photos later on,” she smiles knowingly. She remembers having many clients on Valentines’ Day (a few weeks after opening) who were all of a more mature age group. The choice of music that day was love songs, and the customers were given free roses and served wine.

She is also strict on appointments. In her line of business and with the time it takes to work on one person, she tries to give each a specific time so there is no overlap. When someone makes an appointment, they are also asked if they are going to be escorted by anyone and if so, how many people.

Another of the studio’s regulations is strict confidentiality. A form is signed before hand where the client gives personal information and also whether they want their photos to be used for advertising or not. Only a client is allowed to view or pick up their photos, “It doesn’t matter if you send someone else to pick up your photos or if a friend comes and asks to see your photos, we will not hand over your pictures or show anyone but you. We only give photos to individual owners,” she says firmly.

Although she has photographed babies that are only a few months old, they are strict that anyone under 18 years old must come with a parent.

Refreshments, hairstyling, makeup, and mini manicure and photo shoot are free of charge. This is followed by a private viewing session where the client can decide on which photos they want or even if they want them. If they are satisfied with their photos they can then purchase them but they are under no obligation to do so.

Each A4 sized photo costs Shs50,000 and although one may feel that it is more that they would pay anywhere else, Lanyero feels that with the whole experience, it is more or less the same. “You can come straight out of bed to the studio and by the time your session is ready, walk into a party,” She says about the makeover session.

Only a few months old, Face Studio has about 80 customers each month and they still hope to draw in wedding couples. With their kitchen for refreshments, shower for refreshing and calm environment outside town, in Bugolobi, it is the ideal location to have wedding pictures taken.