Bernard Kalu is a Nigerian Documentary photographer of high repute. He was a panelist at the 2019 Business of Photography conference, and has featured in various exhibitions. He sat with BOP’s Ufana Ishoyor and shared his story into photography, love for God, and thoughts on the effect of the pandemic on the photo industry.
__
- Kindly Introduce Yourself
My name is Bernard Amadi Kalu
A man God loves so deeply. Devout Christian, an artist with my primary expression in Street and Documentary photography.
- What was growing up like?
My earlier memories of my childhood were blissful. I grew up in Lagos with my Mom. I was born in Oshodi, then subsequently we relocated to the Egbeda axis of Lagos. I fondly remember playing ball on the streets, playing ‘suwe’ and so many other things kids do – especially those who grew up in that part of town as myself. Recently learnt that children never think ‘we are poor’, it’s as they grow they ‘learn’ that they are/were, besides that’s still debatable because wealth is really what you say it is. So even though my childhood didn’t seem like the stereotype ‘butter’ experience, it was and still is priceless to me. I studied Computer Engineering at the University and soon after university, I decided to do photography instead and since then I’ve received a couple of training and certifications in it, as well as in basic filmmaking.
- How did you start Photography?
During my later days at the University, 2008/9, I got gifted a point and shoot camera. A superb gift! So I immediately began dabbling with photography. Shooting everything in sight. From flowers to lizards and so on. Thinking about it now, the passion for the craft got seeded in me at that point.
- Was it just a hobby or did you from the onset want to take it as a career?
Yes, it was a hobby for a while! I made the decision to scale it into a career a few years after I left University. One of my Pastors preached a message about how ‘the gift/skill/prowess of a man is what makes a way for him’. I got thinking what that gift or skill would be for me, I had finished school at the time and ‘jobs’ were not available; as the case still is in the country today, there were way more graduates than positions to fill. So, God being so gracious highlighted photography to me – and that was it!
- What type of Photography do you do?
I do Street and Documentary Photography.
Alongside, I do wedding photography with my business partner Olufemi Awobukun. We run Verteller Studios, a luxury wedding documentary photography atelier. Worthy of note is the fact that when I decided to begin a career in photography, the easy and obvious choice was the wedding event industry. So, I registered my first business then as Auxano Photography – focusing mostly on weddings, as the cash-cow. However, as time went by and I discovered myself more, I began delving into other genres then finally found street photography and documentary photography. Later in 2018, I decided to merge my previous business with Femi (He ran Caution Pictures at the time). We figured Collaboration was the way forward, and the decision has been worthwhile!
- Where/Who do you draw your inspiration from?
The Holy Spirit is my primary source of inspiration.
I draw inspiration from my environment, my past works of art from photographers of old, my colleagues, and so on. There is so much to be inspired by in our present day, especially with social media. However, I try to create from discipline and not just inspiration. More lately, I’ve begun searching inwards and trying to find questions and answers from within – not just consuming the works or creations of others in a bid to be inspired.
- So far what has been your highest point as a photographer and how is the Business of Photography for you?
It’s hard to narrow out one specific moment as my highest point as a photographer. Moreover, I’ve been blessed with some really high points; and it gets better. One of these many highpoints would be my first exhibition in 2017, also my image making the finalist stage at the Mo Ibrahim competition and book same year, I made first runner up at a NatGeo Portfolio review 2018, Got my work published on several platforms, I’ve organized several pieces of training, photography hangouts, and workshops, I have also been a panelist and speaker at a couple of platforms – even the BOP conference, also a TedX Speaker. All these have been some of my high points as a photographer.
- What challenges do you face and what steps do you take in overcoming these challenges?
Challenges are akin to darkness, and the most reliable way to eliminate the dark is to shine as light. I work with the consciousness that every challenge is a knowledge limitation, so I close that gap and the challenge goes. In my early days, raising funds was generally the challenge. I needed to upgrade my gears and so many other things – in time, I learnt to maximize what I had at the time and by default, I grew my capacity and was able to afford new gears. Presently, the most pressing challenge is the knowledge gap, and I make efforts to bridge it by learning more from my peers and mentors. The final challenge would be ‘imposter syndrome’. The gut-wrenching feeling of not being or doing enough to warrant the accolades your work gets. I daily fix that with God’s word – my worth is in what my Maker and Father thinks and says about me!
- In the Coming Years, where do you see the Photography Industry in Nigeria?
Photography in the coming years would evolve – as regards the tools and channels of distribution for the work but the tenets would remain. Storytelling is as old as mankind – and photography is one of its forms that is sure to remain. So I’m quite optimistic about what the future holds because God is there already!
- What’s your opinion on the effects of the Corona Virus on the Photo Industry?
The pandemic has been terrible on all fronts. The photo industry, most especially the weddings/events sector got quite a big blow. That notwithstanding, there have been innovative responses to the quagmire.
Subsequently, the industry would bounce back and life would go on!
- Any last words?
There is a purpose to life – the purpose is in Christ Jesus. Nothing else can satisfy. So in as much you’d want to build a life or career, ensure you build with Jesus, the Everlasting Rock.
K(no)w Him, K(no)w Life.
Thank you!
__
