Coco Creative Studio

[Frida Kosofsky]

Weutilize top-of-the-line equipment for filming at our photography and video production studio in Singapore. Our gear includes professional-grade Fujifilm cameras known for their exceptional image quality and versatility. Along with a range of lenses, lighting setups, stabilizers, and audio recording devices, we ensure that every project receives the attention to detail it deserves. Contact us to discuss your photography and video production needs, and let our cutting-edge equipment bring your creative vision to life.

Newly founded, with a team of dedicated and passionate professional creative people, the agency specialized in various services, from corporate portraits, headshots for companies, Product Photography for commercial advertising services, and interior and industrial photography.

COCO Creative Studio also specializes in large video productions in Product Introduction Videos, Livestream Video Broadcasts, Event Coverage Videos, documentaries, commercials, and Travel, to name a few.

L. M.: In the past two years, where the world was struggling with the effects of the Covid -19 (now with the Delta Variant), many companies were put on hold, while you, on the other hand, pushed yours forward and already started planning and renovating the new agency space. How did the idea of opening a large space studio start? I assume it took a lot of courage on your end to make a move. Would you describe yourself to be an optimistic person?

J. J.: One year before the COVID19 pandemic started, the number of requests I received increased considerably. During the pandemic, the demand rise, which leads me to secure more job opportunities. For many photographers, the converse happened. It was crazy and unbelievable. At one point, across six months, I was shooting every day and sleeping less than four hours in total each day. I was only recently able to take my first weekend away from work, the first time since a year and a half ago.

My hard work from before had slowly started to pay off. Before the pandemic struck, I had spent a reasonable amount of time traveling, so I lost many opportunities at home because I was simply not here. Being in Singapore meant that I could be more proactive when clients came forth with their requests.

I have also always tried to diversify the work I do and ensure I am versatile when it comes to any type of photography. As a result, my portfolio has become much more fortified over the years, and I continually see clients return for my services and many referrals from happy customers.

I would attribute it to my motivation to push it forward constantly and to the sleepless nights trying to secure my vision and refine my strategy over the years. I will continue to hone my skillsets and get better at my craft in the time to come.

L. M.: Tell us about the arrangements you need to make for opening such a studio. If you need to advise other photographers, what kind of space is recommended? What about the right light or different styles of background?

J. J.: Being based in Singapore, space for a rental is often quite expensive. I do not come from a wealthy family, and I do not have much savings from my sports career. In my case, I have had to work hard in order to be able to grow and set aside some money occasionally to invest in my business.

There are plenty of overhead costs involved, such as rental costs, deposits, electricity, renovation, gears, installation, furniture, air conditioning, etc., along with expenses like employee salaries.

Any space can work; it ultimately boils down to your needs and the budget you have. In my case, I wanted something near to my home, relatively central and with convenient transportation access for my employees and clients.

It took me six months to find the right studio space. I had first found another fantastic location and was ready to sign the contract. However, there were quite a few last-minute costs that were only clarified in the final few steps. It is not that I could not pay for these costs, but I felt it was a bit risky. I then decided to wait for a little while and look for something smaller. For months, I visited smaller places but was not convinced. My business was doing very well at that time and was getting sizeable job opportunities.

I became more comfortable investing more, which resulted in me going back to my first idea to get a large space.

My space is 20m long by almost 10m, with a high ceiling. What excited me most was that we have a tremendous amount of natural light. I invested in renovating the floor, adding new curtains, furniture, and other props. I also bought sufficient gears: stand, c-stand, structures, lights, accessories, backdrops, giant monitors, etc.

We moved in on the 1st of June 2021, officially, so we are still getting new gears and exploring our options for the space. We also have a big outdoor area (terrace), 3 or 4 times bigger than the size of the studio. The studio is on the rooftop with an incredible view of the skyline of Singapore, and we are the only company on the rooftop.

The space is unique and is a fan favorite amongst collaborators and customers alike. Since moving in, we have carried out large video production shoots for governmental projects and commercial photoshoots for advertising agencies.

L. M.: On your Instagram profile, we had a chance to see many videos featuring the quality gear you use in the studio. Tell us about the equipment; which item is the most necessary as you open a studio? Did most of your gear come from your sponsor companies such as Fuji, Epson, etc.?

J. J.: Before being part of a camera ambassador program, I thought I would never be able to give a workshop as it was not in my interest to do so. It was also because I was new to the field, and it took me years before I could call myself a photographer.

Over time, I got more and more requests for one on one workshops. Finally, I started conceding to these requests, and I realized I enjoyed doing them and sharing my knowledge with equally passionate people in the industry.

BenQ and I always wanted to do a workshop together, but given the recent tightening of COVID-19 regulations, we have had to postpone it. I have photographer friends; we have people who follow our work. So I hope we will be more active and maybe create an exciting community of people.

As for my working day, I usually come to the studio between 8 to 9 am, sometimes earlier as and when necessary. I start my workday by clearing emails. If my day is short, I leave the office at 9 pm. More often, I leave the office at midnight. On my worst days, I am at work till 4 am. We mostly shoot in our studio, and the day is a mix of preproduction, photoshoots, video shoots, editing, emails, client meetings, and revising work.

J. J.: Take it slow and go step by step. Study the market at large and the potential of work you can produce for

a particular client.

Sometimes, renting studios from time to time can be a better option because then you have one less thing to manage, less overhead costs, and more freedom in a sense.

However, if you intend to shoot multiple times per week for clients, have many gears on hand, and need space for sufficient storage, I would recommend you get a studio space of your own. You can start small, as small spaces are easier to manage with fewer costs and fewer risks posed.

The timeline for a website design project can vary depending on its complexity and the specific requirements of the client. However, as a general guideline, a standard website project can take approximately 4 to 8 weeks to complete. This includes the initial consultation, design concept development, revisions, development, testing, and final launch. Rest assured, I work diligently to meet agreed-upon deadlines and keep you informed throughout the process.

What truly sets this Studio apart is the commitment to client satisfaction and dedication to delivering personalized solutions. I take the time to understand your unique vision, goals, and challenges, and tailor the designs accordingly. My collaborative approach ensures that you're an active part of the creative process, and we strive to exceed your expectations at every stage. Additionally, the studio expertise in both design and development, combined with my search engine optimization (SEO) and digital marketing knowledge, allows to provide comprehensive services that result in exceptional websites that not only look great but also perform exceptionally well to gain more customer or leads.

Yes, I offer ongoing website maintenance and support services to ensure that your website remains up-to-date, secure, and optimized. The post-launch support includes regular software updates, security checks, and content updates as needed. I understand that your website is a dynamic asset, and I'm here to assist you in keeping it running smoothly. My goal is to build long-term relationships with my clients, and the maintenance services are an integral part of that commitment to your success.

Charlene Prempeh shines the spotlight on Black creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs in The Kudos Project, a column for HTSI. She is also an HTSI contributing editor covering culture and design. Beyond her FT role, she is the author of Now you see me! : an introduction to 100 years of Black design and founder of the creative studio and art consultancy Vibe Called Tech.

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