BOP SPOTLIGHT; IMAJI OCHOMA DANIEL

I’ve known Imaji Ochoma Daniel since I was in my senior year in University. We had similar acquintances and at some point might have asked the same girl out to be our girlfriend (that’s story for never BTW). He’s an amazing photographer who’s always been fascinated by storytelling and the abstract nature of human interaction with nature and themselves. He sat down with me and we had a conversation about how it got started and his vision for the future;

• Kindly Introduce Yourself

My name is Imaji Daniel, I come from River State in Nigeria. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and I’m the lead creative at Imajigraphy Photography.

• How was growing up like?

Growing up was beautiful, I had a grandmother that let me do what I wanted and my parents whilst separated, gave me the space I needed to explore at a tender age. I grew up with my sister and we virtually fought over everything but life was good. I was taught how to farm, cook and handle house chores; basically, I was trained to be independent.

• What’s your educational background?

School wasn’t as fun for me at the start; I couldn’t read or write till my class 4 but it so happened that two new students came to my class and took 1^st and 2^nd position and then I was self-challenged. I went and learnt from them and after over a month of hanging with them, I began to grow. I studied Chemistry in the University but always found myself going to the Visual Art’s department in my school to look at what they were up to; Painting, Sculpting, Computer Designs, Tie & Dye, Ceramics amongst other things, so I guess it turned out go in the end.

• How did you start Photography?

It was before I got admission into the university, my cousin introduced me to the media department in my church, it was there I got up close and personal with cameras and discovered I liked them. Curiosity took over and a couple hundred hours of YouTube videos and Interpersonal discussions with the media team leader and I decided to try phone photography and well… the rest they say is history.

• Was it just a hobby or did you from the onset want to take it as a career?

Photography is a hobby for me but people still pay me to shoot and it’s simply amazing. Truth is; it takes time to create, and I value my time so I ask them to pay for my time not the images because I’m trying to have fun whilst creating.

• What type of Photography do you do?

MINIMAL EMOTIONAL PORTRAITURE

I shoot with minimalism in mind

Humans are emotional beings so I like my images to reflect some sort of human emotion and speak to people. I want people to connect with it.

It is alte’ portraiture (laughs).

• Where/Who do you draw your inspiration from?

Mostly, my inspiration comes from stories, I’m fascinated with storytelling and how people can relate and remember them quickly.

I also draw inspiration from music, movies, pinterest, etc. Peter Lingberg too is a huge inspiration, Joey L, Mango Street, Sabr (my friend), Lexonart etc. these guys give a definition to the art that I strive to create.

• What challenges do you face and what steps do you take in overcoming these challenges?

Getting a camera was a huge challenge, but my first camera came as a deal that I had to pay off in parts.

I took the camera then emptied my account, I borrowed from friends then went out and did a lot of job that weren’t worth my time all just so I could raise the money to pay off my camera debt. After I paid it off those clients came back but told them my real time fee, some respected it whist others complained and left.

• Any last words?

I want to thank you for this, I was fun diving back to what matters to me most; family and the money making hobby.

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Daniel Imaji is from Port Harcourt, Rivers State in Nigeria, has a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry and is the Managing Director of the Imaji Brand (ImajiGraphy, Imaji Perfume). You can connect with him here.