Kola Oshalusi is a Creative photographer and lead photographer at Insigna Media Ltd. based in Lagos Nigeria. He ventured into full time photography in 2006; he has an eye for details and documenting moments which is evident in his works. His widely published works includes commissions around the world and spans across events, portraits, fashion, editorials, advertising and architectural photography.
His success lies in his continuous pursuit of timeless imagery that constantly evokes thoughts and emotions. Kola is a multi-faceted photographer who is renowned for his fast moving shots on red carpets, He has earned a reputation as Nigeria’s pioneering events, landscape and product branding photographer. He was acclaimed by Y-Naija as one of the 10 most powerful people in the Nigerian fashion industry and is a regular contributor to news and lifestyle platforms such as Bellanaija and Guardian Life. He is also the brain behind The Business of Photography Conference.
Some of the clients include, Bellanaija, Guardian, Etisalat /9Mobile, Vlisco, Uber Nigeria, Avante-Garde, LVMH, Google, Pernod Ricard, StyleHouse Files, VIACOM Networks and many more.
HFA: Tell us, who is the man behind the Business of Photography Conference?
KO: My name is Kola Oshalusi. I am a photographer I work at Insigna Media production a photography and visual content creation company where I currently occupy the post of Creative Director.
HFA: What fueled the passion to deviate from the medical sector to this line of business?
KO: Wont call it a deviation, just finding a new passion and fulfilment. I believe all I had learnt in every field I have studied and worked prepared me for what I am doing within the creative especially photography industry.
HFA: When did this initiative come to life and for how long has it been held?
KO: Slightly more than two years ago. I have been practicing for a while and been lucky to have worked in countries around the world on assignments and I felt the industry which I operated back home will be better if we had a meeting point where ideas and innovations will be shared hence structures built to create a sustainable industry that sees beyond just the Art.
HFA: What should we expect from this year’s conference?
KO: More defining conversations that will aid collaboration, growth, structure and investments. A lot more brands are coming on board the Market place as vendors. So we are looking at photographers having more interactive opportunities with investors and policy makers.
Also the exhibition is thrown open this year to as many people as possible as long as they follow the theme, the panel will critique and best works that meet the laid out criteria will be featured during the photography exhibition.
HFA: What inspired the theme ”Shaping the Narrative?”
KO: The realization that the world defines us by whatever they feel they know and we are way more than that. A wise man once said if you fail to tell your story, someone else will and they will however they feel like.
So for the rest of the world to see our country and continent differently, we need to define it and who else can if not photographers. In a world where there’s an unprecedented quest for visual stories and focus is on Africa and Majorly Nigeria, this is best time to shape the view and make money while doing it.
HFA: Are there plans to hold this conference in other parts of Nigeria apart from Lagos in the near future?
KO: These are options we are considering, but for now we are sticking to Lagos. What we have done in the mean time is create Cottage Conferences to sort of isolate the Challenges within the industry at the state level. The Cottage conferences are miniature sizes of the main conference but deal with Localized Challenges.
We are not having conferences just for the sake of conferences, our goals are to identify challenges, come up with ideas to deal with such and at the same time measure the impact of solutions deployed in building a more structured and profitable Imaging industry.
HFA: How often will this conference be held, once a year, bi annually?
KO: Once a year
HFA: What advice would you give anyone aspiring to pursue a career like yours?
KO: Its an interesting career, has its up and down, but with so much potentials and opportunities. So advice is if you desire to, get the knowledge, get the training, get a mentor and go for it.
The Business of Photography Conference comes up on April 30th at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Culled from Haute Fashion
