We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maelia Dioulo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Maelia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

You know, I didn’t grow up knowing anyone in the industry but I knew I was obsessed with music and fashion and that I had the talent/will to make it out. As a Black girl from Ivory Coast, I didn’t really see people like me behind the scenes, so I picked up a camera and started figuring it out on my own. My mission came naturally. I started to create visuals that felt honest, stylish, and powerful, and to help shift how the world sees artists like us. At the end of the day I feel like this whole thing is about taking up space, telling real stories, and making sure we’re seen the way we deserve to be.

Maelia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My names Maelia Dioulo, a photographer & videographer, originally from Ivory Coast. I got into this because I’ve always been obsessed with the worlds of music and fashion. I used to binge music videos, campaigns, and BTS clips. Basically just dreaming of being in those rooms. So I picked up a camera in 2020 and started creating the kind of visuals I wanted to see.

I’ve worked with artists like Ayra Starr, Bad Gyal, and Abby Anderson, and with brands like Mavin Records and G-Shock. I help artists and creatives shape their visual identity through online content whether that’s through tour recaps, music visuals, social campaigns, or fashion editorials. A lot of what I’ve created has gone viral and helped push songs, elevate artists, and make real impact online. I’m proud of that I know more about what moves people.

But I’m still figuring things out. My style’s evolving, and I’m learning more with every project. I take this seriously, and I care a lot about doing the work right. I just want to create visuals that feel real, hit hard, and make people feel something. Whether it’s a last-minute tour recap or a full creative campaign, I always show up and make it count.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I’ve been listening to Ayra Starr since 2023. I’ve always connected with her energy and the message she represents as a young Black African woman just like me. I was a genuine fan before anything else. One day, I DMed her manager to ask if they were looking for a photographer or videographer. Thank God they actually were. That one message led to tours across Europe and Australia, and two years’ worth of content that’s racked up over 20 million views online. It goes from promo videos to creative visuals and tour photos. It’s been wild but i’m grateful that this was my first real work opportunity in the industry.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started by just posting what I loved fashion photos & videos, behind-the-scenes moments, and visuals that felt honest and stylish. I didn’t overthink it, I just stayed consistent and tried to make everything feel like me. A big part of building my audience came from working with artists, where the content naturally reached a wider audience. Some of it went viral, and that helped build real momentum.

If you’re just starting, my advice is: don’t wait to be perfect. Just post. Stay consistent, focus on what makes your eye or your voice different, and don’t be afraid to DM people or shoot your shot. This advice still applies to me. That’s literally how I got my first big break.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.itsnova.com/maelia
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maedioulo?igsh=MTJnYXRlenh0OXpsZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maelia-dioulo-865565182?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

@ayrastarr
@barbarabandeira
@chloebailey
@rebo_tchulo
@mavinrecords
@dejfamafricafr