PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK, RIYA OF RIYALITY PHOTOGRAPHY.

Riya the only Riya..
It is with great excitement i introduce to you our personality of the week!!!
Gloria Ukata Arunma, the master mind behind Riyality photography...

This zealous igbo chick hails from Abia state, Nigeria.
She loves to wear jeans, tshirts and favorite foot wears are a pair of sneakers.

Her birthday Anniversary is February 3rd, and when i asked her what she will consider a birthday gift, hear what she says "Gadgets (camera& lenses) ,sneakers/shoes, jeans and tshirts, perfumes,bags and stuff girls like" hahahaha so you know now.

Riya loves Singing, dancing, listening to lots of music, watching music videos,writing songs, playing basketball, and not to forget taking photos especially with her iPhone hahahaha. Ohhh her life seems to be fun!

She doesn't have a favorite food, in her own words "I'm a pathetic foodie, anything that tastes good but I would prefer Ghanaian or togolese dishes anytime anyday, but in my homeland egusi soup or fried yam with any type of sauce is perfect.

Riyality photography

Riya is a persistent lady who is determined to succeed, her aim is to do the man work and do it better. Read full interview here...

XP:when and why did you get interested in photography.

RIYA:It all started at a friend's wedding in 2013, i was supposed to be her bridesmaid but I sucked cause I kept taking photos with my bbtorch,.😂 I would have to be reminded to wipe her face and all that bridesmaid duty. She loved the pictures finally and preferred most to the paid photographer's work. She then started calling me "Madam photo" lol from then and encouraged me to take it up. I never believed I could till I started watching tutorials and reading photography books and befre I knew it, I grew a huge passion for it.

Natural sky photo by Riya photography

RIYA:I would buy all necessary gadgets to make my photos look exquisite, I would be more adventurous and dare go places, travel far and wide just to achieve some outstanding shots, do creative shoots and maybe go to a photography/film school of which I know i would still do in the future.

XP:is there any particular reason you chose to be a photographer?

Riyality Photography

RIYA:Cameras look sexy on females LOL, if there should be a reason, I would say right from childhood I found myself to be androgynous, I would rather do stuff like a boy, play and hang out with guys, play Spider-Man and superman games with my male friends when I was a kid. I always had interest for masculine stuff, I'm really not girly and don't like doing girly stuff. Photography generally is seen like a man's work so I just want to prove a point that a woman can do it too and do it perfectly aside the fact that I have a passion for it. I'm not the first and definitely won't be the last, There's so much to it than just clicking the shutter button. Funny enough girls look pretty with hand bags but I look prettier with a camera hanging over my shoulder.

XP:Tell us the challenges you have had to deal with as a photographer.

RIYA:Some challenges I've faced is for the fact that I am female and young so most time people look at me like, "What can she do, what does she know, and I can't have her tell me what to do!" They always doubt till I deliver and it's sometimes discouraging. Also people don't value the fact that photography can be taken up as a career, therefore mostly disregarding our efforts and deciding not to pay well. Not having all the rightful gadgets as well sometimes poses challenges but I believe as I grow all that would be in place.

Pre wedding photo by riyality photography

XP:Which of your works would you say is your favourite and why?

RIYA:My favorite so far is the first ever magazine shoot I did for VL mag africa for the book author Chidera Okolie

As well as a pre-wedding shoot which was also my first of its kind.

These shoots are my favorite because it was all my personal efforts and ideas though with the help of fantastic friends  I put in to achieve them as well as being first of their own kind.

XP:who has been your greatest inspiration?

RIYA:Firstly I would say my dad (family generally)because he has never for once discouraged me all through this journey,

Riya and lucas

my wonderful photographer friend Lucas Ugo(all time fav person) he is the one behind my growth so far and I love his works too,
TY Bello for sure cause she is female and has inspired many including me; for the fact that she sings as well just as I do is just fab,
TCD photography (Tobbinator) I love his works and look up to him too. They give me reason daily to grow and be much more better in this field I've chosen.

XP:How far are you willing to go to take ur career to.

RIYA:Till eternity lol #NuffSaid

XP:Do you have any particular person you admire?

RIYA:Yeah I do, I admire Uche Odoh, a young female photographer like myself. She inspires me, her style and zeal to be a film -maker! As I said earlier, trying to do the man work and doing it well with passion is just to be admired.

Uti Nwachukwu for Riyality photography

XP:Have you ever dissatisfy your client , if yes how did you make up for repeat business.

RIYA:So far I have not, and really do not wish for that, hahahhahha.

XP:is there anything else you do outside being a photographer.

RIYA: I'm a music artists but most people I meet on a daily do not know this because I took a break from it since 2012 but I must say I'm coming back real hard hopefully by next year with something good for my people them. *smiles*

Bryan for Riyality Photography

XP:What lessons has being a photographer thought you.

RIYA:It has thought me that you do not have to have everything at your disposal to start but start with whatever you have and with time everything will be put in place gradually. I have also learned that you can never be perfect in a day but with hard work and consistency, you would definitely achieve and become the best.

XP:what's the big dream.

RIYA:To be a huge super star, "That singer/photographer girl" Riyality The Brand, to have a music and photography school mainly focusing on young girls building up themselves outta nothing, to be an inspiration and a helper.  "Do the man work and do it better" *winks*

Omaje for Riyality photography

XP:what does the word "XPERIENCE" means to you.

RIYA:To me it means what one has passed through or has been through that has either thought him/her a lesson or built himself or herself to be a better person.

Some Other works of Riya

Yeaaaaa thats it with the one and only riya... Thank you so much for having us Riya...

To keep in touch with Riya, follow her on Twitter and Instagram @theonlyriya.