Birthdays happen but once every year. Hence, there is certainly no reason not to celebrate this day.

While some believe celebrating this day will add no value to their lives, others share the view that it is the day which marks their very existence, therefore it ought to be celebrated. 

Aside from the birthday cakes, gifts and fun moments, the latest addition in commemoration of this day is a professional birthday photoshoot. 

In my quest for answers to quench my longing thirst as to why people would make it an annual tradition to take birthday photos, I visited a professional photography studio. 

Bright Takyi is a professional photographer and owner of MT Bright Grafix. 

His journey of capturing people’s joyous moments with his exceptional photography skills started in 2014. 

He tells me this sector of his business is a booming market due to the recent craze for professional birthday photoshoots. 

“It depends on the package the customer wishes to have,” he said. “On the average, I take GHc 100.00 for 5 photos”. 

As every other professional photographer, Bright, first prepares his studio with colourful settings to complement the exquisite photos he wishes to take. 

Gifty Opoku Ware, whose birthday is in a week’s time, has come here to get herself some fanciful photos to celebrate her big day. 

She tells me she will be sharing these photos with her family and friends on her birthday. 

“Birthdays are once in a while events. I have come here to take pictures to share with my family and friends for fun, and sometimes to keep them in an album for memories,” she said. 

Before Gifty strikes poses for her photos, she’s first accessorized and dressed up by a make-up artist. 

Another prep session of photography which hinders people from taking professional Birthday shoots is a Make-up. 

They argue it’s expensive and a headache to sit for hours to get a complete make-over. 

To ascertain their assertion, I made some inquiries from the make-up artist here at the photostudio. 

I found out from her how much she makes for a birthday make-over. 

Abigail Sarpong explains the business is lucrative and gets a lot of customers for a birthday make-over. 

“Birthday make-ups do come often. I’ve lost count of the number of people I’ve made-up for their birthdays. People do enjoy taking pictures anytime to keep for memories. 

“For a birthday make-up we charge GHC300.00. But, if a client wants to be accessorized, she pays close to GHC500.00,” she said. --