One Year Later, BOP sat down with Femi Akeusola, Lead Photographer at the Vanilla Factory in Lagos to play catch up on what the photography game is like, how he started and how the business of photography currently is. The now father of one (Little Zafirah is super cuteeeee) was more than happy to share with us, Enjoy;
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- Kindly Introduce Yourself
My name is Akeusola Femi. I am a portrait photographer with interest in beauty and lifestyle based in Lagos, Nigeria.
- How was growing up like?
I grew up in the ever busy state of Lagos. Growing up was fun, my first friends were my two elder sisters who we grew up together, played together and sometimes got into trouble together and got punished together. My dad was a professor, he is late now and my mom is a teacher. Being raised by 2 educational practitioners also shaped part of my growing up. I didn’t grow up watching cartoons but trust me growing up was really fun.
- What’s your educational background?
I attended AOCOED staff school, then I went to The AOCOED International School where I only did my JSS1 and part of my JSS2. I later took a transfer to Federal Government College, Lagos, where I completed my secondary education. I proceeded to University of Lagos and graduated in 2015 with a degree in Creative Arts (Fine Arts major). I recently just bagged a Masters degree in African and Diaspora studies.
- How did you start Photography?
While I was growing up, I remember there was a camera my dad gave me and I loved the fact that I could create images with it back then but I never thought of going into photography full time then. Fast forward to year 2013, students of Fine Arts, as part of our curriculum needed to do 6 months’ internship, so I decided to do mine in photography and even after the internship period, I continued going because there was still a lot to learn and I was already in love with photography.
- Was it just a hobby or did you from the onset want to take it as a career?
It was a hobby that was paying so I decided to build a career from it and it has grown into me opening my studio called The Vanilla Factory.
- What type of Photography do you do?
I shoot Portraits, Beauty and Lifestyle
- Where/Who do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from anything and everything around me. I love life so I tap my inspiration from life first, then movies, poems, stories even from other images. Once I see something I love, I always want to shoot it. Also light directs how I see things, so trust me if I see a good light, I become restless.
- So far what has been your highest point as a photographer and how is the Business of Photography like?
I still have so many things to achieve, I spoke about launching my own studio, also being part of several projects have also been amazing part of my achievement, I sincerely hope it gets better. I’ve had the chance of meeting amazing people on this journey also. The business of photography is actually amazing. You’re a creator of contents plus you’re living in an environment where there are so many contents so it’s very easy to create. It has its downsides though, but the business is cool.
- What challenges do you face and what steps do you take in overcoming these challenges?
A lot of people do not know the value of good photography hence the mentality of “Is it not just Photography” and so they don’t always want to pay as much as the photographer is asking. They don’t always want to believe that pictures should be that expensive because of what they are used to. I feel people should be better enlightened, equipment’s are more expensive and the amount of time spent in retouching pictures need to be paid for. If you want amazing pictures, then you should be ready to pay for it!
- Any last words?
Wow, last words? Don’t kill me please (Jokes) I hope people at least understand what it takes to be a photographer and respect the photographer. Plus, if we organise exhibitions, buy our works. Pay us please.
Femi Akeusola is the Lead Creative at The Vanilla Factory, a Lagos Based Photography Studio. He’s a Husband and Father and You can connect with him on Instagram here.
