‘Boredom pushed me into pro photography’

As God would have it, I met Dipo Ashaolu a photographer in a friend’s house and I told him that I wanted to learn. His reply was that he will know if am serious when I pay the training fee of N35,000 and then I didn’t know where I would get that kind of money. […]

As God would have it, I met Dipo Ashaolu a photographer in a friend’s house and I told him that I wanted to learn. His reply was that he will know if am serious when I pay the training fee of N35,000 and then I didn’t know where I would get that kind of money. Lucky for me, I got a job where I was paid 15,000 a month. I was owed three months salary, when I was paid I took 30,000 and paid for my three months training.

How did you swing from environmental protection and resource management to photography?

My course was really what exposed me to photography because we did a lot of field work and we had to backup our reports with pictures. It was from there I developed my love for photography. So it was really an easy thing for me. And I think I had it in me because I love artworks a lot and photography is a work of art.

What is your financial state now having started the way you did?

My financial state was zero when began. After paying for the training I didn’t even know was I was going to get money for my camera. I just believed that God was going to make a way for me and He did through a very good friend of mine Mrs Onize Mohammed who gave me N40,000 which I used to deposit for a fairly used Canon EOS Elan7 Camera. It was Dipo Ashaolu who had the camera so he gave it to me to give him the balance of N40, 000 later. Now I have another camera of almost N200, 000 and a laptop which I use for my work. I never borrowed any money it’s from the jobs I did that I was able to acquire it. I am obviously very comfortable now and have firmly found a footing.

What was your first encounter with photography in public or with public?

My first encounter with the public was during the Senate President daughter’s birthday and I was really shy that day.

What was exciting for that first time that you can remember now and may be the motivation and reason you are still here?

After the birthday a lady was having her wedding so I went to try out my skills, when a very funny thing happened. She called me to say that she liked the way I was taking pictures and that she would like it if I could cover her thanks giving the following day even though there was someone already covering for her. That was how I ended up making an album for her. Later she told me that if not for me she wouldn’t have gotten any nice album of her wedding. The reason am still here is because my work is being appreciated a lot. I sit in my house or workplace and get calls from people and organisations that saw my work somewhere or someone recommended me and they want my service. A lot of people believe in me even without me showing them my work. I try not to disappoint them and God has been faithful to me.

For how long do you think you would still be in this?

I started in 2007 that’s three years ago. I didn’t think I would survive this long and I plan to survive forever with my own studio in the nearest future.

What are the benefits of being a photographer and how has it helped you socially, economically and otherwise?

The benefits are much. It gives you a financial balance. Socially I have met a lot of people who are the high and mighty in Nigeria, and I have entered places that normally I wouldn’t have been able to enter. Some people see me working and pray for me and some even give me money.

What are the challenges for you as a woman in a field that would be considered as a man’s own?

The challenges are not much asides the fact that the men sometimes try to oppress me. Being female has also worked in my favour because people are fascinated with my small stature and the fact that I am woman. (Laughing)

Do you think anybody could be a photographer if they had the kind of the three months training you had or photography in your opinion is something in born and a gift?

If the person is focused, one can do it even in less than two months. Because in my second month Dipo started taking me out to work. Photography is a gift to some, while others have to develop it.

Have you found fulfillment in it?

Oh, yes. Photography is a job that is fun to do and at the same time you are making money.

Who are your clients?

I work for Posh Magazine, City People and Celebrations amongst others. I also work for individuals and organisations like the Zamafara State governor’s wife, the Society for Family Health, Unity Bank, the Nasarawa State government amongst some others.

How would you encourage someone else to go into photography?

Photography has gone to a level now that people make millions from it. It should not be seen as the photographers who sell pictures for N50. It’s a very good business to do. One can start the same way and grow really big.

With so many young people jobless and endlessly waiting for white collar jobs and contracts, how do you think they could exploit photography to make it a viable source of income for themselves?

They can exploit photography by training as a photographer. And the sky will be their starting point. Yaba Tech offers a course in photography, and NTA Jos training. But you do more practical in very good studios.

With the sale of pictures you don’t have to be a photographer to sell good pictures. You can buy well taken photos, frame them up and sell to hotels, individuals and offices. There are so many income earning openings with photography.