It’s a dynamic world and a group of women tapping into that dynamism are some Nigerian women, who in spite of all odds, have taken their place among the elite photography crowd, holding their own, even standing out. Yetunde Oladeinde reports
YOUNG Kemi is an orphan. She just completed her secondary education and passed with flying colours. Her mentor, Jaiyeola, is impressed with her performance and he gives her a blank cheque, offering to sponsor the next phase of her career in any university of choice.
But to his utmost surprise, the young lady informed, “I want to be a photographer.” Perplexed, he tries to convince her to have a change of heart but realises that the girl is creative, talented and passionate about photography.
Kemi is not alone! In fact, there are a number of young girls and women who are now spectacular photographers, clutching the camera like babies and making waves across the globe. Female photographers interestingly, have brought style and panache to the sector. Scroll down memory lane and you find TY Bello who became popular with her passion for photography, investment in equipment and skills that made her stand out, combining it with her other passion, music.
There is also Yetunde Ayeni Babaeko, another female photographer and CEO of Camara Studio, who has made a mark in the sector.
Recalling her foray into the sector, Babaeko said, “I did not actually come to Nigeria to become a photographer. I just wanted to explore. I grew up in Germany, looking different and was treated differently sometimes. I wanted to discover my family, the people and the cultures of Nigeria.”
However, when she got to the country, Babaeko realised there was a wide gap in advertising photography, especially for female. “That was when I realised that there could be opportunities in Nigeria. I started doing photography in 2005 from my house. I am not saying it was easy but there was a demand and I think I had a better head start here than I would have had in Germany”.
For about 18 years, she succeeded in moving her craft from one stage to another and rediscovering other passions in modelling and unique portraits. Her amazing artistry is heightened by her commitment to social change as well as supporting marginalised communities through exhibitions. Her works therefore tackle issues like survivors of breast cancer, dancing performance in slums to highlight the needs of populations living in shanty towns and the daily struggles of people with albinism.
Thinking of Love/Romance photography? Tosin Pedro Gbamis, a wedding and portrait photographer comes to mind. She tells stories of love through her lens, documenting memories many treasure. And when it comes to capturing moods that are conceptual, Adeola’Gold’ Olagunju comes to mind. She is a critical, creative, meditative and passionate artist. Her images speak volumes as they stage the photographers attempt to break free from the usual.
For Princess Lydia Alaba Igbaroola, it has been 30 years of photography and the experience has been awesome so far. “I joined Nigeria Tribune in October 1993 and I enjoyed every minute spent on the job. I became the first female photo editor in Tribune and I worked with so many editors. I was employed by Mr. Folu Olamiti; I received an award of commendation for hardwork, loyalty and dedication in 2003.”
The camera took Igbaroola to different cities as well as placed her strategically in the corridors of politics and power. “I have worked with two different governors as Media Consultant. The first time was when Fayose was Governor in Ekiti State.
fter this, I also worked with late Governor Adebayo Alao Akala for five years. Any photo of him that you see then in any newspapers was from me. He was a great man and a father and mentor to me. I worked for him with great dedication and I became very close to his family. He helped me a lot as governor and that period is very memorable for me. There was a day, while I was still working, he came to visit our management and said so many good things about me. Also, I became a JP in 2010, following my pilgrimage to Jerusalem courtesy by Gov Akala, alongside with three other journalists. We kept in touch and last year, when Akala clocked 70 years, I supplied all the photographs used for his book”.
You want to know what kept her going for those three decades and she replied this way: “ For me, the passion was the most important thing. Presently, I am a supporting Editor with Parrot in Oyo state. I am also the Vice President of Photo Journalist Associa tion of Nigeria.
Like Igbaroola, Victoria Oyedele, the CEO of Threeports Media tells you that photography is the best thing that ever happened to her. Happily she takes you into her world and how her journey into photography began.
“That year, the Lagos State Government under the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu organised an empowerment programme. Photography was listed as one of the programmes and I was one of the participants at the special programme. The training took place in 2006 at Ipaja, Lagos – West”.
Luckily, Victoria won an award as one of the best three participants at the end of the training and empowerment programme, and she made a personal vow to make the best of the situation. “I have always loved Photography and wished I could be behind the camera taking pictures. So, when LASG provided the opportunity, I grabbed it with both hands, and did not allow it to just slip away. My husband is my number one fan and pillar of support. He gave me all the necessary encouragement to succeed in the profession and business”.
Asked about the experience at the beginning, she said: “It was tough, but I believed winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win. So, I made up my mind to succeed in the business. My church members formed the bulk of my clients at the early stage. But eventually, my clientele base spread to my immediate community and beyond.
Several male photographers could not stand competing with a woman. They saw women photographers as gatecrashers in the business and profession. Professional photography, as far as these men were concerned, should be an exclusive preserve of men”.
However, gradually, Victoria earned more respect, when they saw that she was passionate about the job. “I was serious with my work; the quality of my pictures confirmed this fact. And when most of them also got to know that my husband was a publisher, they started giving me some respect”.
She recalled how she initially went about town with her camera, snapping everything at sight, including nature. “I also got several social event jobs. Most times, I took pictures free of charge for some of my friends and neighbours. The idea was to create awareness for my business in the neighbourhood”.
Her first challenge was the camera she was using at the time. “It was a low quality analogue camera which did not allow me to withstand competition from other photographers with digital camera. But an angel in my church came to my assistance and bought me my first digital camera. One major challenge I had back in the day, was that a lot of people, particularly wealthy Nigerians wanted you to take pictures for them free of charge or simply offer you peanuts for a major photo service”.
She however concluded that passion has been her driving force. “I love photography. I tried doing my job differently. After every event, I would upload the pictures unto my laptop; take the shots to my clients to select. I also know some of the best photo finishing companies in the city, which gave me an added advantage over others. Photographers would not willingly expose the photo laboratory where they print to others. It is normally a secret in the trade. I also go online to read about photo training stuffs”.
So far, it has been a very interesting and exciting experience for her. “I would advise that all women photographers take it as such. It is business. We should take it for just what it is. It is business. Women coming into the business should be morally upright. A lot of men erroneously believe women photographers are morally corrupt and would try to treat you as such, until you prove to them that you are not one of the easy virtue crowd, most especially when you travel out of your station and immediate environment”.
She Continued: “My advice to women coming into the profession: try to always get the very best training. Try to get good equipment. Respect yourself by not messing around. See yourself as a professional and not just a mediocre in the business. Never stop learning. Photo imaging industry is dynamic, it is a moving train, move as it moves, or you will be left behind. Allow me to emphasise discipline. It is very important, most particularly as you relate with the opposite sex. I am not saying you should be a tigress, but consciously create limits between you and the opposite sex.”
The first change that Victoria would like to see is regular training for women in the sector. “Banks should please come to our aid by giving loan facility to us to procure modern photo equipment. There are photo cameras worth millions of naira. We also need more qualified repairers and technicians of photo equipment, most particularly photo cameras on board.
On her part she has been mentoring oth ers, especially ladies, and hopes to inspire many with the things that she does. “I am at the final stage of my plan to set up a photo training institute in this city, Akure. I have some young women and men showing profound interest in the acquisition of skills necessary for top performance in the industry”.
Yemi Disu is the CEO of Four23 Photography. Her studio has state-of-the-art equipment that makes the experience worthwhile for her clients.
“My experience with photography can only be described as great all the way; from discovering my skill and love for photography, to the people, colleagues and clients I have met”.
Her first major challenge, she said, was, “Saving money to buy the equipment”.
With fond memories, she recalls her very first session. “My first shoot was to photograph the food of a restaurant for their billboard and the experience was beautiful. It was fulfilling, knowing that they were paying for this job and I just kept smiling”.
She goes on to talk about her other memorable experiences in the sector and the things that stands out her brand. “I love to handle child and family photography. The experience is awesome and every client of mine brings experiences that are memorable. I must say that I am usually thrilled with the love, joy, laughter, the singing and dancing of parents to get the child’s attention and a smile.
“Of course there are times you have the crying ones and we usually spend time begging them to stop crying, or the child messing up the setup. The list is long but in all, I always look forward to the time spent with clients”.
It’s been an awesome journey for Disu and she takes you into her world reflecting on some of the unforgettable memories on the job. “One of the unforgettable memories as a female photographer includes the op portunities to learn more about our culture; and being a woman, my choice of photography – child and family, has taught me to be patient, listen and be sensitive to my client and the people I meet in the cause of my work”.
You want to know some of the other things that occupy Disu’s time when she is not holding her camera and she answers this way: “Researching, learning new techniques to better my art, and watching TV to distract me from work”.
Some of the changes that she will like to see in the sector includes better skills and gadgets to make her job better and satisfy her clients. “Change is happening every day with new technology in our equipment and editing software. This would certainly make the next few years bigger, better and more interesting. I hope to be doing great things with my skill in photography at both home and abroad”.
Adesuwa Iyare is a gifted documentary photographer and her skills has helped her to ride on the wings of photography to the top. Talented and determined, she looks after content in creative ways.
The South Africa-trained photographer, who enjoys street and documentary photography currently serves as the principal photographer to Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, the Wife of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Interestingly, Iyare studied International Relations from the Lagos State University but her love for art made her become a photographer.
“My love for art and documentary led me into photography. Photography has given me the opportunity to share in people’s most special moments on a regular basis and it has introduced me to many people who I now call friends”.
On the challenges she faced when she started out as a photographer, Iyare answered: “Surviving in a male dominated industry was a major challenge. In the same vein, convincing my family on why I want to go into photography as against my initial chosen career path or staying in the family business, was another challenge I had to contend with. As a woman, being told to do various things instead of photography was also another challenge I faced”.
Next you want to know the doors working with the wife of the Vice President of Nigeria has opened for her. “It has given my work a certain level of exposure that makes me want to do more”.
The revered photographer whose works have been exhibited in and outside Nigeria, including the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF), stated that she started from scratch and paid her dues to get to the level she is at the moment.
Iyare also informed that she derives joy in seeing people she trained do well.
“My joy is seeing people I trained and mentor do well in this profession; it gives me the hope that photography is being taken to another level”.
