GREENFIELD – A Greenfield woman turned her passion for photography into a career promoting female entrepreneurship, and an upcoming gala is expected to draw thousands to the charity.
Victoria Odekomaya is a luxury photographer and brand strategist who strives to empower and inspire women in business.
Odekomaya, a married mother of two, said women often wear hats. The Indy region is full of talented women in all walks of life, from side hustles to manufacturing to large corporations, so Odekomaya wanted to capture images to tell their stories and inspire others. He says he wants to be able to give.
“I just want to get information out there to inspire women and encourage women,” she said. “I said, 'I have this.'”
Odekomaya has lived in Greenfield for about 12 years. Originally from Nigeria, she immigrated to the United States as a student and took a job in drug development science. She has been doing photography and filmmaking as a hobby for about 10 years, but it was around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic that she felt she wanted to take entertainment more seriously.
After being laid off a little more than a year ago, she realized it was time to start her own business. In 2022, she launched the Boss Ladies campaign, which aims to give women a “celebrity photoshoot experience” and create images and videos that help women “level up their brand” and feel confident and empowered. has been launched.
Based out of her East Greenfield neighborhood home, LiM Studio, Odekomaya provides clients with professional hair and makeup for photo shoots, wardrobe styling, snacks, image collections, magazine features, and more. .
In addition, Odecomaya organizes a gala every year to celebrate its clients and raise funds for charity. Last year, at the first Boss Ladies Gala, she raised $10,000 to support her Dove Recovery House for Women in Indianapolis.
This year's celebration is scheduled for March 15 and will benefit Pink Ribbon Connection, whose mission is to provide free supplies and services to breast cancer patients and survivors across Indiana. The funds will be donated to free mastectomy bras, prosthetics, post-operative clothing and wigs.
Dori Sparks-Unsworth, executive director of Pink Ribbon Connection, said: “We are grateful to Victoria for supporting the work we do to support breast cancer patients every step of the way. I'm excited to be a part of this wonderful gathering.”
Odekomaya said she is excited about the success of last year's gala and hopes to raise an additional $10,000 for Pink Ribbon Connection this year. She plans to hold a charity event for women every year, and she is currently looking for sponsors, auction items, and people to participate in the event. Every ticket also supports her photography business.
Odekomaya said her goal is to help small business owners get known and have their voices heard. On her website, she encourages women to “stop being the biggest secret” in their industry.
“I feel like they don't know how to[market themselves],” she says. “Some women don't know how to do this…I don't know how to do it strategically, how to do it intentionally. If people don't know you're there, people won't know you. I won’t patronize you or walk with you.”
One of her clients, Gaby Benson, is from Greenfield and now lives in McCordsville. Benson said in 2023 she launched Sprout Fundraise and Consulting, which works with local and national nonprofits.
Benson said she has known Odekomaya for years and that when she showed up for the photo shoot, Odekomaya turned her rough day around. She was thrilled with the images that came out of her shoot, and she was happy to be able to connect Maya Odeko with the beneficiaries of last year's gala.
“I am so proud of what Victoria was able to build on this event in its first year,” she said in an email. “We are confident that this year’s celebration will be an even greater success.”
Jill O'Boyle is a burnout recovery coach for high-achieving women, and her office is based in McCordsville. She contacted her Odekomaya asking for her photos and promoting her own business.
“She captured my fun and outgoing personality, but also showed me images that supported my past stories of burnout and stress. It created a visual story that viewers could relate to.” ,” she said, adding that she would encourage women business owners to consider this. work.
O'Boyle said last year's gala was a fun way to celebrate and empower women in business, while also benefiting a good cause.
Odekomaya said bringing women together at red carpet events is powerful.
“That's what we do. We always give and always love. It's great that women can come together to have fun, have fun, network and raise money for organizations. ” Odekomaya said. “This is just a great opportunity.”
