Alula's work
About Alula
I'm a South African creative based in East London, with a genuine love for design, photography and the craft of bringing ideas to life. My work sits at the meeting point of creativity and care — I believe the best creative work isn't just about how something looks, but about how well it serves the person or business behind it. That belief runs through everything I do.
My main creative home is Nova Studio, the studio I built to offer two things I'm passionate about: graphic design and photography. On the design side, I work across logos, full brand identities, portfolio and layout design, flyers, posters and business cards, and clean, modern, user-friendly website design. I enjoy the whole journey of a brand — sitting with a client to understand who they are, what they stand for and who they're speaking to, and then shaping that into something considered and cohesive. A logo is never just a logo to me; it's the first handshake between a business and its customers, and I treat it that way. I'm formally trained in graphic design, and I've carried that foundation into real work for clients ranging from small start-ups finding their feet to established businesses wanting a refresh.
Photography is the other half of Nova Studio, and it's a craft I love just as much. I shoot portraits, couples and engagements, matric and milestone sessions, lifestyle work and pet and animal photography. What draws me to photography is the same thing that draws me to design: it's about really seeing people, catching the honest, in-between moments that feel true to who they are, and giving them something they'll treasure. I handle my own editing so that every image is finished to a standard I'm proud of, and I work hard to make every session relaxed and genuinely enjoyable, because people are at their best when they feel comfortable.
Design and photography also feed each other beautifully. Understanding composition, light and colour as a photographer makes me a sharper designer, and a designer's eye for balance and detail makes me a better photographer. Being able to offer both means I can help a client with their whole visual story — their brand and the imagery that brings it alive — rather than just one piece of the puzzle.
Outside of Nova Studio, I run a dog-breeding business, raising healthy, happy, well-socialised puppies that go on to become much-loved family members. It might seem worlds away from creative work, but in truth it's shaped me in ways that make me better at it. Breeding has taught me patience, responsibility, consistency and a real attention to detail — you simply can't cut corners when living things depend on you. It's also deepened my love of animals and, happily, given me no shortage of four-legged subjects to photograph, which is where my pet photography really comes from. I know how much our animals mean to us, and capturing them well is something close to my heart.
On top of my creative and breeding work, I'm studying towards my BCom in Accounting. It's a demanding path to walk alongside running two businesses, but I made that choice deliberately. It keeps me disciplined, organised and reliable — I understand budgets, deadlines and the practical realities of running a business, which means I approach creative projects with a professional, grounded mindset. Clients can count on me to communicate clearly, quote honestly, and deliver what I promise, when I promise it.
If there's a thread that ties all of this together, it's care. Whether I'm designing a brand, shooting a family, raising a litter or working through my studies, I put real heart and attention into getting it right. I'm honest, approachable and easy to work with, and I'd far rather do fewer things properly than many things carelessly.
I believe good design and good photography should feel honest, personal and genuinely useful — never overcomplicated, never generic. If you're building something new, refreshing something tired, or just want imagery that captures a moment the way it truly felt, I'd love to help you bring it to life.
My main creative home is Nova Studio, the studio I built to offer two things I'm passionate about: graphic design and photography. On the design side, I work across logos, full brand identities, portfolio and layout design, flyers, posters and business cards, and clean, modern, user-friendly website design. I enjoy the whole journey of a brand — sitting with a client to understand who they are, what they stand for and who they're speaking to, and then shaping that into something considered and cohesive. A logo is never just a logo to me; it's the first handshake between a business and its customers, and I treat it that way. I'm formally trained in graphic design, and I've carried that foundation into real work for clients ranging from small start-ups finding their feet to established businesses wanting a refresh.
Photography is the other half of Nova Studio, and it's a craft I love just as much. I shoot portraits, couples and engagements, matric and milestone sessions, lifestyle work and pet and animal photography. What draws me to photography is the same thing that draws me to design: it's about really seeing people, catching the honest, in-between moments that feel true to who they are, and giving them something they'll treasure. I handle my own editing so that every image is finished to a standard I'm proud of, and I work hard to make every session relaxed and genuinely enjoyable, because people are at their best when they feel comfortable.
Design and photography also feed each other beautifully. Understanding composition, light and colour as a photographer makes me a sharper designer, and a designer's eye for balance and detail makes me a better photographer. Being able to offer both means I can help a client with their whole visual story — their brand and the imagery that brings it alive — rather than just one piece of the puzzle.
Outside of Nova Studio, I run a dog-breeding business, raising healthy, happy, well-socialised puppies that go on to become much-loved family members. It might seem worlds away from creative work, but in truth it's shaped me in ways that make me better at it. Breeding has taught me patience, responsibility, consistency and a real attention to detail — you simply can't cut corners when living things depend on you. It's also deepened my love of animals and, happily, given me no shortage of four-legged subjects to photograph, which is where my pet photography really comes from. I know how much our animals mean to us, and capturing them well is something close to my heart.
On top of my creative and breeding work, I'm studying towards my BCom in Accounting. It's a demanding path to walk alongside running two businesses, but I made that choice deliberately. It keeps me disciplined, organised and reliable — I understand budgets, deadlines and the practical realities of running a business, which means I approach creative projects with a professional, grounded mindset. Clients can count on me to communicate clearly, quote honestly, and deliver what I promise, when I promise it.
If there's a thread that ties all of this together, it's care. Whether I'm designing a brand, shooting a family, raising a litter or working through my studies, I put real heart and attention into getting it right. I'm honest, approachable and easy to work with, and I'd far rather do fewer things properly than many things carelessly.
I believe good design and good photography should feel honest, personal and genuinely useful — never overcomplicated, never generic. If you're building something new, refreshing something tired, or just want imagery that captures a moment the way it truly felt, I'd love to help you bring it to life.