I have proven myself in a male dominated profession – Aisha Dapchi

In the male dominated profession of photography, Aisha Ibrahim Dapchi believes she has proven her mettle. In the last six years she has been a professional photographer.  Her interest in photography stemmed from childhood where she said her father, an avid photographer influenced her to take up the art. That was a long time before. […]

In the male dominated profession of photography, Aisha Ibrahim Dapchi believes she has proven her mettle. In the last six years she has been a professional photographer.  Her interest in photography stemmed from childhood where she said her father, an avid photographer influenced her to take up the art.

That was a long time before. Miss Dapchi has gone all the way to pursue her interest with a degree course in Visual Communication with a major in photography from the American Intercontinental University, London. That was after her first degree in Networking and Computer Systems.

“It was just a hobby to be honest. I have always had it in me that I wanted to take pictures, so I just take pictures,” the young woman who hails from Yobe State told Sunday Trust. It was at a recent exhibition tagged “50 Years Ahead Through the Eyes of Nigerian Women.” Miss Dapchi’s work featured prominently. Her exhibition was titled “Bride” an ambitious work that got beneath the veils of the exclusive bridal traditions in northern Nigeria.

Her pictures were vivid. The mix of coloured and black and white effects left a haunting impression on connoisseurs. She drew a lot of enthusiasts who marvelled at how vividly her pictures brought to life the traditional bridal henna decorations common in the north. It was a visual treat.

“I have always been a visual person,” she said smiling. “It was a hobby of mine and I decided to turn my hobby into something more professional.”

Interesting

In the six years she has practiced professionally,  Miss Dapchi says the experience has been very interesting.

“It’s been very interesting because coming from London to here, [it’s] totally different but at the same time the same because in Nigeria we love taking pictures. That’s what encouraged me more and made me think I can actually do this and I went into it,” she said. And she has not looked back and does not intend to because she is enjoying it “very much.”

Having studied in London and now practicing in Nigeria, Sunday Trust sought to know what she makes of the challenges of photography in the two settings.

“Over here we have to convince people to send types of photography while over there it’s much open. We are just coming to terms with even exhibitions. Usually, we have arts exhibition but we don’t have photography exhibitions. So we are just coming into that era,” the young photographer said.

Miss Dapchi lamented the dart of women artist in the north and being one of few in a vast area, one could feel a bit isolated.

Challenges

For her, proving herself in a male dominated profession has been her greatest challenge.  And when asked if she thinks she has managed to achieve that, she said, “I have, I have.” Her laughter rang like one who had truly triumphed. She explained further saying she had proven herself “in a lot of ways, when you go to places and people actually recognise you for your pictures and what you do and how you deliver them.”

There are other challenges as well. One of them is the working environment. Though her exhibition is about wedding pictures, Miss Dapchi says wedding pictures have been most difficult for hers. 

“That goes on for a long period of days and you are on your feet, 24-7 and you have to go to different places and hear a lot of stuff,” she said. One thing that makes it more difficult for her is the low regard people have for photographers, she said.

There have also been embarrassing moments but Miss Dapchi was not keen on sharing those. She merely admitted there were “lots of times” such things happened. Whatever those moments were, the charming photographer still recoils at the recollections. But they have not deterred her from her passion. “You still do your job,” she said with a shrug and a smile.

Hopes

Miss Dapchi sees  a future for her in this profession and is determined to improve on her skills.

“In the next five years I hope to be better at what I am doing and basically be happy, happier than I am right now,” she said.

In reality, Aisha Dapchi seems very happy doing what she does right now and easily leaves one with the impression that there is really joy in pursuing one’s passion.

only associated with men.