Akande Oluwamayowa is a Nigerian event and documentary photographer. He also has both his first and second degree in Architecture and strongly believes in starting small, and with what you have. He also strongly believes that there’s much more he can achieve with photography.
KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF
I’m Akande Oluwamayowa, an architect and a photography enthusiast
WHAT WAS GROWING UP LIKE FOR YOU?
Growing up was pretty modest
WHAT’S YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND?
I attended Federal Government College Ogbomosho for my secondary school education and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomosho for my graduate and postgraduate education.
WHAT GENRE OF PHOTOGRAPHY ARE YOU INTO?
Events and Documentary
HOW DID YOU GET INTO PHOTOGRAPHY?
Seeing Mr. Kola Oshalusi’s pictures at the time and the mere fact that a Nigerian could make such good images was a huge one for me, he came visiting a family friend but they weren’t at home, so he stopped by at our place and I started asking questions. That was when we had the conversation of how he ventured into photography, it was from him I first heard the term “Dropbox”, he logged in on his iPad and I was blown away by the quality of the images I saw. Bayo Omoboriowo was a huge inspiration also, I would spend midnights in school just to watch any and every one of his interviews I could find.
HOW IS DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY IN NIGERIA ESPECIALLY IN LAGOS NIGERIA?
I think there are loads of talents out here doing great work and people are gradually getting to see the need for storytelling. The average Nigerian is a bit skeptical about you taking his pictures and for obvious reasons, but with a lot more education and enlightenment, I think it’s a hurdle that we can overcome.
WHERE AND WHO DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?
Everyday life, then from great photographers out there, the likes of Kabenny, Tolani Alli, Bayo Omoboriowo…the list is actually endless, then workshops and trainings.
SO FAR WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HIGEST POINT AS A PHOTOGRAPHER?
Highest point…hmnnnn, I don’t think I’m any where close ooh. But then the access you get as a photographer sometimes is something I cherish.
WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU TAKE AS A DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER AND WHAT STEPS DO YOU TAKE IN OVERCOMING THIS CHALLENGES?
Sometimes people attack you for taking pictures, I have once been stoned while at it, almost detained at some point, but I think the idea is to learn your lessons and go again. It teaches me courage and I’m also able to be creative with how I approach people and circumstances.
HOW DOES PHOTOGRAPHY HELP YOU MERGE THE CORPORATE WORLD AS AN ARCHITECT AND DOES IT HELP IMPROVE THE FACE OF ARCHITECTURE ?
I have a good understanding of how certain elements of photography work in architecture, in terms of renderings, architectural photography, space planning, how people interact with public spaces; photography has helped my story telling a whole lot and it is an added advantage being an architect.
AS A DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO YOUNGER PHOTOGRAPHERS CONSIDERING A CAREER IN DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY ?
I still consider myself young in this photography journey, but I’d say start with what you have.
ANY LAST WORDS?
NEVER GIVE UP
You can check out Akande Oluwamayowa on Instagram @AkandeO’Mayowa (@akande.o.mayowa)
