We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wanyea Robinson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Wanyea, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
The best investment I’ve made as a business owner would have to be the investment in myself. Within the few years of being in business, I struggled with the confidence of my work on the sole purpose of comparing myself to other photographers and videographers in positions I wanted. I wanted the clients, models, brands, etc. to book or collaborate with me but I honestly wasn’t invested as I should, I just expected it to happen with no work to show. It wasn’t until was brought to the realization that the only person who could get into those positions, get those clients and have my work be seen, was myself. After that realization, with the help of people who seen that potential in me, I started to see the potential in myself and was able to seize opportunities such as filming behind the scenes for Fashion Week, exclusive events, gathering new clients, collaborating with models, and even being offered to work on a television show. With me investing into myself, which I am my business/ brand, I was able to hold myself accountable when it came to executing plans and goals I had for myself. As I continue to grow WNR Productions, I understand now that when it’s meant to happen, it’ll happen.
Wanyea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
It all started when I was younger, I really enjoyed watching movies and television. I’ve always had an eye for media, it just wasn’t 100% on my mind. Of course, we’re told we have to go to school to get an education so we get jobs that’s up to societal standards, but after high school I didn’t have a solid idea on what I wanted to do. I did know I wanted to do something with television or movies but the only way I thought I could do that was to make YouTube videos. After making them for about for a few months, I made the decision in majoring in Film & Television at my local college only because I already had the idea on where I wanted to go with it, I just needed the resources and fundamentals to make it happen. That’s I always say, “education doesn’t end after you graduate,” you have to continue to educate yourself everyday to become a better person.
I take a substantial amount of pride in my work because, I feel it’s my duty to convey a story of who or whatever is in front of my camera. I do my best in capturing the art of life, in any case of it being on-set, impromptu, etc., I strive to capture everything. Sometimes I like to consider myself like a fly on a wall because I tell my clients to help them relax during shoots/ sessions to pretend I wasn’t there, just be you. The purpose of my journey, is to tell the stories of each person that gets in front of my camera because their journey is just as important as mine.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
It would have to be the actual process of creating, from preproduction to postproduction as well as being asked about my work. I’m really amazed at how it could start from an idea and then a few weeks, may it be video or set of photos, I have something physically in front of me to edit, post on social media, send to clients, or just have it as a portfolio piece. Of course, I like being paid for my work but, I don’t do it solely for money or fame, I do for the art. I experience more people appreciating my work that way, they see that I’m invested the vision that they sometimes have to pick my brain to understand my work. That gives me the validation to myself, that what I do stands out and I can always do better.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I continue to build my audience everyday or every time I post on social media but it is an uphill battle to get the audience. While I was studying film I took away a key factor most people don’t understand, giving your audience just enough to always want more. Sometimes it takes doing something simple as looking into the camera or something difficult as editing yourself in multiple spots in one area. However, once you see that you’re gaining some traction, stay consistent as well as entertaining to your audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: wnrproductions.com
- Instagram: wnrproductions
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SDzk1hC656c-YIvKQfoJw
Image Credits
Models: @hollowtipvisuals @kionyvonne_ @thagoldchild @montegajade @auraofamina @aaliyahyasameen @rich_henny_benz