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BY SAUMU MWALIMU
 One cannot fail to notice the GRM studios located at Rufungira Bus stop near Mwenge Shopping Centre. The outward green walls and the perfect photos on display, speak volumes of the talent of Gabriel Makupa; one of the most sorted after photographers in Tanzania.
The name GRM is coined from the initial letters of Gabriel’s name: Gabriel R. Makupa (GRM). Currently in its third year of photographic production, GRM is known for recreating lasting impressions of weddings and other ceremonial events in Tanzania. Some people have commented that a wedding is not a wedding without the magic from GRM studios.
Inside Gabriel’s office is an ultra-modern fully furnished room with more that eleven sofa sets. Well labeled photo albums, display current and past projects. Clearly judging from these and the string of people going in and out of the studios, Gabriel must have a lot on his plate. As I later learn, he sometimes gets so overwhelmed that he turns down some job offers.
In the meantime, my eyes get preoccupied with pure work of art on the walls of GRM studios. A portrait of a beautiful lady in a red dress and two children stands at the entrance; I and other clients decide to take up a debate on whether the family portrait is Gabriel’s family. Before long, I get a ring from Mr. Manager himself.
Three hours later
It’s funny, that I hadn’t realized I was in my fourth hour at the GRM studios. There is so much to view at this photo station. We drive away from GRM studios to Gabriel’s new office currently under renovation. After apologies of some sorts, I learn that Gabriel is building a home which will also include his office space. “I’m building my home cum office. It’s been a long time coming but in the near future, I will not have to pay office rent,” he says.
A hobby turned career
Gabriel loved taking pictures and making picture books but becoming a professional photographer had never crossed his mind. “I bought my camera while I was in school and went all crazy about photography,” he says. With a strong background in marketing, running a studio for a living was the last thing in his mind. After graduating, he worked as a marketing manager in a reputable firm but also dealt in electronic business.
In 2005, he started GRM, a small photo studio that would cover mostly wedding ceremonies. “Since I was in employment, I didn’t give this side gig much attention despite the good cash flow it brought in,” says the charming Gabriel who quit formal employment in 2009 to seriously venture into photography. “GRM initially did 1 wedding per day, but currently we cover up to 4 weddings thanks to the equipment and dedicated staff that make all these possible,” Gabriel says.
The family man
Gabriel Makupa traverses the greater Tanzania to follow his clients. Apart from Dar es Salaam, work takes him to other regions like Kigoma, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro. With all that travelling, does he have time for the family?
“Initially, this was a challenge because I did endless trips around the republic but after getting the company on its feet, I have enough man power and I can enjoy some moments with my wife and children,” he says “However, some jobs especially in the cooperate arena require my supervision. I can’t send my people alone, I have to be there.”
Also in the GRM team is Gabriel’s wife who had to employ someone to run her boutique while she assisted at the studio. “I work with my wife, who joined GRM to bring the much needed female touch and she is charge of make-up and props,” he says. Gabriel who is a proud father of 2, Sasha and Simon, makes a point to spend quality time with his children every day before they go to school. “When I get time during the weekends, we go shopping; they love shopping a lot,” he says while displaying the family portrait from his Mac laptop.
Gabriel and his wife have learnt to draw the line between their marriage and work. “At work, my wife and I are working partners and we are very independent. We both have job deadlines and timetable,” he says with a smile.
Ailing photography industry in Tanzania
With a lot of unexploited opportunities in photography, Gabriel casts the blame on low creativity shown by most photographers. “Clearly, the market here is quantity rather than quality oriented. But still, there is no excuse for photographers to present poor quality jobs. They can use their small means to add some creativity to their work. At GRM for example, we do everything in our power to remain competitive. When we do wedding video productions, we use the big flat screens (not projectors) to achieve clear pictures,” he says. “Similarly, there is a mobile studio that follows our clients to their preferred venues and apart from the usual photo album; our clients are given the option of a photo book for better storage of memories.”
Gabriel bows down to the digital revolution but is worried of the impending threat it is creating for the industry. “Lately, people store pictures in soft copies and that means less job for us,” he says. All the same, Gabriel is grateful for the consistent growth of GRM and can only be thankful God. “I have more than fifteen permanent employees, and I can’t complain” he says.
Gabriel R. Makupa in brief
He is married to Rehema Nkurlu and they are blessed with two children, Sasha and Simon Makupa
His dream is to have his own TV station in the next 5 years and he has this to comment: “I know where to get good cameras and I’m gradually learning the tricks of the game,” says.
He did the first series of Wanawake Live, and has shot different local movies with stars like Steven Kanumba and Raymond Kigosi.
He is a perfectionist and takes no excuse for poorly executed jobs.
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