Post by Frank Ezenwiwe

This story is precious to me and I believe it will inspire someone. These boys are called the Ebinum brothers. They are contemporary art dancers here in Nigeria who had nothing when they started dancing. It was pretty hard for them. Going for rehearsals and being able to feed was a huge challenge. I believed so much in them even when others didn’t. I took their pictures and videos for free. Even send money to them whenever they called me that they were stranded. They were so passionate about dancing and whenever we talked they keep saying “They will go international”. Show producers back here didn’t want to feature them. Saying “Nigerians won’t like their kind of dance. That they should go learn afrobeat dance”. For four years they kept on pushing and I was always there for them. Last year during the padenmic was when everything changed. Nowness reposted their video and “BOOM!” Magazines and brands started coming for them. When Calvin Klien came for them to shoot their campaign. They tried everything to involve me but Ck said their budget was only for video. The brothers persisted and asked “If I could collaborate and just take pictures”. Ck Checked my page and loved it. So they agreed. When the news came to me if I will be willing to collaborate but due credits will be giving to me on all platforms. I was like “I’m I mad, why won’t I shoot. It’s Ck brother!”. I did the shoot and they really loved it. The brothers paid me from their money which I didn’t expect. Now the interesting part... Katie grand in UK who is one of the biggest creative directors in the fashion industry saw my work and said she wanted me on the project with her magazine in collaboration with Gucci. She was working with the Ebinum brothers and she wanted me to be part of it. Ofcourse in her mind she felt Ck would have paid me huge. So now we discussed payment which she agreed. Gucci sent the outfits down and Katie handed over the project to me to direct and shoot the editorials. She saw the images, loved them and decided to increase my pay. I was shocked. It was the biggest pay I have ever received since I started photography. Now where I’m I heading to. First I’m grateful to God for all of the steps but I’m also grateful that I never ditched the brothers when they needed someone to stand by them. No one had any idea they will go international. I believed in them even when it cost me. But I stood by them. Now, because they are good people. They remembered me and decided to carry me along. Never stop doing good to people. Because relationship can open certain doors for you effortlessly. But it begins with how you treat people. That’s why I told you in my last post. I’m after helping you first before thinking about making money. Your success is always tied to how many lives you have been able to bless and inspire. That’s the real wealth. People are gold. Invest in them and you will never be stranded in life. #createwithlenz #success #business #inspiration