Today we’d like to introduce you to Yohanne Mwale
Yohanne, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I stumbled into photography. While I’ve always been into the arts—dabbling in everything from painting, poetry, and hip hop to entertainment writing—and built a career in the gaming industry, photography was something I never considered.
It all began in 2019… One of my best friends was engaged to be married. He and his fiancée hired another one of my best friends, who was a wedding photographer, to photograph their wedding. He asked me if I wanted to do video for the event. Since I was going to be there anyway, I said yes. I spent about two months researching before buying my first camera—a Sony A6400. I paired it with a stabilizer, a 50mm lens, and a 16mm lens, and we headed to Vegas.
After that wedding, I dove headfirst into trying my hand at photography, and that was it—I was in love. I was fortunate to have a close friend working in wedding photography who taught me a lot. I shadowed him at weddings during my first year as a photographer. Then he started hiring me, and soon others began hiring me too. I’ve been doing it ever since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing is a smooth road. Learning a new skill is hard, and in professional photography, the barrier to entry is expensive. You have to be willing to invest in educating yourself.
As I mentioned, I was fortunate to have a friend who helped me learn the basics and friends to join for group shoots. But you still have to dedicate a lot of time to educating yourself, and most education packages offered by industry professionals aren’t cheap. Fortunately, we live in the age of YouTube, and it helped me immensely.
The cost of gear is one of the hardest pills to swallow. In the beginning, I bought all my gear used. That’s a risk in itself when you’re trying to do professional work because your gear needs to be reliable. If you can’t deliver on jobs, you won’t get hired again. A lot of this industry relies on word of mouth. Growth has been slow but steady for me, requiring consistent effort—and it can be tough to juggle while working a full-time job.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about 285th Street Media?
At 285th Street Media, I provide high-end media services tailored to meet my clients unique needs.
I specialize in photography for individuals and businesses, offering everything from weddings, portraits, and headshots to corporate events and conferences. I also provide videography services for weddings, conferences, and other commercial projects, ensuring that every moment is captured with precision and care.
So, what sets me apart? My background as a professional creative gives me a distinct edge. While I am deeply passionate about the artistry of what I do, I also bring a high level of professionalism to every aspect of my business. From our initial consultation to planning meetings, executing the services, and how I conduct myself at your events, I strive to deliver an experience that’s seamless, enjoyable, and truly exceptional.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that my brand defies being put in a box. When people look at my work, they don’t see just one style of photography or editing. Instead, they see versatility, creativity, and a commitment to delivering results that align with their vision.
What I want you to know about me and my brand is this: I’m here to give you the absolute best of what I have to offer. My goal is to ensure you not only enjoy the process of working together but also walk away with stunning photos or videos that capture the essence of your special moments. With 285th Street Media, you’re not just hiring a service—you’re getting a partner dedicated to making your experience unforgettable.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Find people who share your passion and those who are successful at what they do. Spend time with them, talk to them, listen to them, and learn from them. You need more than just a mentor—you need friends to grow alongside. A significant part of learning and growing lies in the doing—practice truly makes perfect.
If you don’t have models to work with, look for group and networking events in your area. Attend, meet people, and approach them with humility. While you should never let anyone take advantage of you, focus on building genuine rapport. Learn to discern between those who are looking to exploit your skills and those who will make great collaborators.
It’s also a fantastic idea to have a group chat with like-minded individuals where you can share ideas and get feedback. I’m fortunate to have a close-knit group of friends in this community with whom I did exactly this. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made. We all love what we do, and we’re all striving to be the best in our field. We exchange advice, discuss gear, share educational materials, talk about professional competitions, and explore business practices, processes, and investments. This collaborative network has helped me in ways words can’t fully express.
Pricing:
- All my pricing is listed on my website under the appropriate sections.
- I offer portrait and headshot services for individuals beginning at $350/hr and offer group rates for businesses, and scale from there
- My wedding photography packages begin at $2000 and extend in range from there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.285thstreetmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yohanne_m_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028375971347
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohanne-mwale-057561119/
Image Credits
Yohanne Mwale DBA 285th Street Media LLC
