A lot of Nigerian love stories have been written on the back of MTN, and this one isn’t any different.
This has one failed relationship, one “happily ever after” and the promise that many other Nigerian and Ghanaian couples will be blessed by the hands and the craft of Lanre Esho.
Introducing Lanre
Lanre is the Lead Cinematographer of Lanre Esho Films.
If you ask him what he does, his answer is more often than not…
“We tell stories with weddings”
He always had a fascination for moving pictures which he could never actually pursue because back then he was in a relationship with Nigeria’s largest Telco, MTN.
He was with the Digital Services Support team and it was their job to “digitize” MTN’s products and services using video graphics and such.
One day he decided to try his hands on wedding films after he had seen some incredible weddings online.
He fell in love with Ray Roman, the Film Poet company, and Rob Adams.
The works of these guys was beginning to light a love affair with wedding videography in the heart of Lanre.
Eventually, he couldn’t deny the desires of his heart anymore, so Lanre had to tell his former love MTN, goodbye.
Looking back now he has this advice for others in his position
“If I could do it all over, I would have started earlier”
Before he took the leap, the fears and uncertainties had kept him from resigning his office job.
God, Hard Work, Motivations and Easy Fun Loving Couples
Lanre cites God as his greatest motivation because…
“God rewards diligence.”
This is something Lanre can say for certain because of the growth he has made over the years even with the changes in the Nigerian and Ghanaian Wedding Movie industry.
He describes these changes as “extensive!” because the old school style has given way to the advent of film style shoots and edits.
What are film style edits? These are edits made to a wedding to make it look like a theatrical movie for the big screen.
Lanre and his team deliver both shorts and longer edits.
Before then wedding videos weren’t thought to be important.
You just got someone and let the tape roll for 8 to 12 hours and you had your wedding video!
What does Lanre like best about the wedding industry and working with couples?
“I like the fact that every couple has a unique story to tell… this keeps my blood flowing.”
And of course, the whole goal is to see how each couple’s unique story can be incorporated into the shoot.
To make this “unique story” the heart and soul of the wedding video, he expects a few things from each couple he works with.
“I always look forward to clients who want to express love and share their everyday friendship for us to make movies from… It can be challenging when I don’t get enough content for the film”
Because some couples can be shy, excessively worried, or are “camera aware“ as we pros like to call it, he has this advice for couples on their wedding day…
“I always advise clients to have fun on the big day… This is because I usually get the best footage from fun loving and easy going couples who are relaxed on the wedding day… If clients want the perfect wedding video, they shouldn’t worry too much about perfect details… just concentrate on having fun! That’s when all the elements of a good film come together… sound, pictures, feeling, and emotion.”
Advice to the younger cinematographers in the field
This one is easy.
Lanre says…
“Constantly evolve… Study hard and enjoy your craft… This job has many rewarding aspects because we travel all around the world doing what we love.”
Lessons on Love and Marriage
His failed relationship with MTN and his experiences around that has taught Lanre a few things about marriage.
“Decision are better made when you talk with your spouse about issues.”
At the time he was going to make the jump into the wedding cinematography business, he was already married to his loving and supportive wife. She had some anxieties as well, and they spoke through everything and planned the exit together.
Today they are better of for that decision.
Lanre’s advice to young couples is the same. Especially for young husbands.
“Talk through all issues with your wife”
Sounding Off
Just like Lanre, before I got into the wedding industry I didn’t study a course that was directly related to what I’m doing now.
So for the record, I was wondering what that was, and if he’d like to talk about it.
Lanre said…
“I Studied Mass Communication in school… Mass Communications has come in handy with my story telling ability… It was a good foundation.”
As we round up the interview, I can’t help but think about how failed relationships yesterday can create beauty today.
Lanre’s exes; MTN and Mass Communications have led him to a love affair with Wedding Cinematography.
Whether in Nigeria or Ghana as you pick up the phone to call Lanre Esho Films, you can be sure of one thing; your love affair and your marriage to your spouse are going to be better off for it. Take the leap, take the plunge and together write your own love story, write your own love movie.
VISIT Lanre Esho Films page on iludio