Today we’d like to introduce you to Shinobi Muhammad.
Shinobi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started shooting photography over 15 years ago in Chicago where I was born and raised. It all started at a Cubs game when a buddy of mine let me hold his camera. The camera was a regular professional 35 mm, and I was just taking random shots of players. I got the pics back from the photo lab and was hooked. I am self-taught.
I trained my skills around shooting co-workers walking by my desk. I learned composition and light control by shooting magazine pictures and trying to get as close to frame as I could. Practiced positioning, breathing and angles from experimenting with the limitations I had around me.
I got my biggest boost in my self-education when I moved to Atlanta. A few buddies of mine were photographers. They liked how I could virtually shoot in any situation but still needed some technical know how. I absorbed what they knew to my understanding and progressed from there.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, not really. However, creativity is spawned from difficult paths. It took me a while to begin earning money. That money went to new equipment. I had other financial challenges, but my passion and love photography kept me pre-occupied.
Finding good subjects to shoot became another difficulty. My focus becomes lifestyle and fashion, but the level of people was not conducive to what I needed.
Plus, I had to learn that everyone loves to shoot but not to pay for what is shot. Then not having all or the basic equipment to professionally shoot became a hassle. Being a stubborn and creative mind, I learned to work around those corners and carve out my own path.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a magazine publisher. Mkovah Magazine was spawned out of a magazine I had established in Atlanta called Urban Mainstream. I created it to give me a platform to push my skills, generate revenue and connect with people from around the world. However, Urban Mainstream was successful, but I only did it as a hobby. That hobby spawned into us doing over 800,000 views per month.
Our strategy of focusing on creatives allowed it to organically grow. Mkovah Magazine I started over a year ago became the business. Our motto: “Inspired by those who re-invent themselves.” I have a strong belief that our limitations need to be assessed every day. Our vision of self and contributions to the greater benefit of society must always be on our minds. MKovah Magazine is becoming what Urban Mainstream was but more.
Unlike Urban Mainstream where we only had one magazine. I decided that Mkovah Magazine would be an affiliation of magazines. Currently, we have six affiliates in Dallas (headquarters), San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. Starting in January, we have maneuvered into affiliates in Canada, New York, United Kingdom, Chicago, Australia and Istanbul, Turkey. Also, we are finalizing another in Thailand of all places.
I believe overall our approach is in line with people and businesses who realize that the future involves us all — diversity of race, culture, nationality, and ideas. These things will be at the root of eliminating many of the self-destructive aspects of society. Magazines like yours bridge the fundamental gap that allows people like me and others to be seen and heard. This leads into our three principles: “We define ourselves,” “We reach the masses” and “We do what we Will.”
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in the streets of Chicago. I was a member and leader within the Black Gangster Disciple Nation. I started at ten years old, and for the most part, I was very introverted. Book smart on one end and honestly destructive on the other.
I went through some very dangerous and impacting times. I have faced death seriously three specific times in the midst of gang wars and other conflicts. However, at 18 I began to go to Operation P.U.S.H which was headed by Rev. Jesse Jackson. There I began to see other aspects of reality.
I later at 18 joined the Nation of Islam under the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. It was through the Nation of Islam I began to understand y true purpose and accountability to society and the world. I began meeting people from all around the world.
The inspiration and examples of the Nation of Islam put me on a course that to this day influences every aspect of what I do. My love of people, their uniqueness and my belief that we all share the task of being the best and brightest examples. The interesting thing is that regardless of people’s belief of Min. Farrakhan.
It was the teaching he emphasized which allows me to be able to use creativity in photography to connect with all people regardless of race, nationality, faith or ideology.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MkovahMagazine.com
- Phone: 978-308-9713
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: mkovahmagazine
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MKovahMag
Image Credit:
www.PhotographybyShinobi.com
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