‘Roadside photography, ladder to my varsity education’

The subject of a photographer cocks the head here and there, following the directions of the person behind the camera. Before this, there is usually the application of powder and lip gloss – in the case of females -all in an effort to enhance a perfect image. These are familiar sights on streets and busy […]

The subject of a photographer cocks the head here and there, following the directions of the person behind the camera. Before this, there is usually the application of powder and lip gloss – in the case of females -all in an effort to enhance a perfect image. These are familiar sights on streets and busy roads in Abuja and across the country, where photographers without a studio ply their trade.
Photography is a much needed service and many youths key into the trend on Abuja’s streets. Their banner always reads ‘1 Minute Digital Photograph.’   
One of them is 20-year-old Ntul Peter Elgam, who earns a living from this roadside photography. Born in Cross River State, he started the business four months ago when he came to Abuja in search of greener pastures.
In early October 2014, Elgam had come to Abuja with the hope of finding a viable means of survival. A secondary school leaver, his drive is simple; to further his education: “My dream is to study theatre and performing arts.”  
Luckily for Elgam, his brother was also into the business so he had no difficulty learning the ropes. As soon as he learnt the basics he became good at it and decided he has found the ideal business. “It also brings food to the table,” he adds.
He started off by learning the basics, mastered how to print out photographs properly using a digital printer and within a week he became good at it and settled for it as his ideal business.
Elgam’s photography spot is at Mabushi. “I started with the sum of N55, 000. I purchased a digital camera, printer and background fabrics. So on a typical workday, business opens for him at 8 am and ends at 6 pm, except for weekends,” he explains.
His location is strategic. Elgam reveals that: “I wanted a busy place where I can get a lot of customers and a friend suggested Mabushi because numerous people visit the VIO office there for various reasons. I came here and asked around about how I could set up my business in the area. It was quite simple. I didn’t have any difficulties. I got a suitable corner and put up my red and white piece of cloth which serves as the background for the passport photographs.”
Elgam added that the white fabric is commonly used than the red one because it serves many official purposes. Speaking on the customers who usually patronise him and how much he charges them, he says: “My customers range from car owners who want to renew their licenses and other car papers to job seekers, students and travellers. I charge customers N500 for eight copies of the passport-sized pictures and N1,000 for 16 copies. But for those who are seeking visas, I charge them N1,500 for four copies because the size of their passports is different from the conventional size.”
However, the young photographer’s major challenge since he began has been the Abuja Environmental Protection Board: “Every day the task force come to my stand and collect a token. This costs me N6,200 every month. It really affects me because whether I make money that day or not, I have to borrow N200 just to settle them and this impacts negatively on my business.”
But there are also the high times in the business for Elgam: “I make as much as N5,000 in a day. These are times, especially during the month of March, when people seek for visas, jobs or a renewal of their official papers. But there are times when I don’t make a dime. I save N3,000 out of the N5,000 to be able to take care of my education, while the N2,000 goes for my feeding.”
In spite of the ups and downs, Elgam hopes to save enough money from the profit he makes from the business just so he can go back to school: “I wrote WAEC (West African Examination Council exams) and presently awaiting the results before I can get enrolled into an institution.”
The young photographer’s philosophy is ‘never to wait around for a white-collar job.’ For youths like himself, he advises: “They can learn something, just like I did; pending when something bigger comes up.” He quips: “Half bread is better than none.”