Adebayo Oluwaseun is a Nigerian Documentary photographer. The young talented photographer and biochemistry graduate started his journey into photography due to his mother’s advice to learn a trade. He believes that there’s a lot of memories to create through pictures and that he one day would document the activities of the President.
Here are the highlights of his interview sessions with Business of Photography’s Adekunle Ibukunoluwa
KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF
My name is Adebayo Oluwaseun Raphael. A passionate photographer, graduate from the department of biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko Ondo. Born and bred in Lagos, from Ondo State, Ogbagi Akoko. Firstborn from a family of two ( a male and female)
WHAT WAS GROWING UP LIKE?
Growing up was good, but just a little bit challenging, I was brought up by a single mother. It was really painful not having fatherly care, but we (I and my junior sister) remained strong. I will still say it was great.
WHAT’S YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND?
My post-secondary school was about learning photography. I earned my First degree with a B.SC in Biochemistry from Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba, Ondo State, which enabled me to be in the medical field. Then I went further to obtain another Postgraduate professional certification in Health and Environmental Safety so as to keep becoming more relevant not just in my artwork (Photography) alone, but also to society in terms of health and environmental safety.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO PURSUE A CAREER IN PHOTOGRAPHY?
The selection of a career is one of the toughest phases in life. But I started photography from my mother who advised me to learn something. At first, I was learning phone repair, but later I quit it because I found no interest and I wasn’t really enjoying it. Later on, photography was introduced to me. It started as a hobby, and part-time, but as time went on, it caught my interest till everyone started saying it’s my addiction. I really do believe that I am addicted to photography now.
WHAT KIND OF PHOTOGRAPHY DO YOU PRACTICE?
Well, basically in Nigeria, we tend to do all types of photography, and we are doing quite well with it, but there is this part of photography, that even if I wasn’t be paid for it, I would still enjoy doing it. So from all genres of photography I do, I would choose to say Documentary Photography. This is what I am moving my career towards.
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE DOCUMENTING MEMORIES IN JIGAWA STATE?
Jigawa state is a great state In the northern part of Nigeria, in Africa. Jigawa State is filled with different kinds of people. But I would say it’s quite challenging because some of the places happen to be rural areas and developing villages. I was actually posted to a local government (Maigatari) close to the Federal Republic of Niger (a French speaking country). It was just 50 naira away from the Niger border, although I moved around the state to different places. But they’re basically almost the same. The barrier I had was language barrier. There was a time I had to take one of my friends (Adekunle Abayomi) along, because he understands Hausa and I don’t. Another challenge is informing them before capturing anything, the people actually have this kind of feeling of insecurity when they see something with a camera, so you have to speak with them and calm them down that you mean no harm. Also, you need to obey the rules of the land, because they really appreciate their women a lot, so I had difficulties in snapping women. But all together it was great. Because I still had great Images after all.
WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF DOCUMENTING JIGAWA AS A PHOTOGRAPHER?
One of them is understanding your environment very well, also, for a new person in the community, learn to work along with another person who understands their language, learn to be open and let people see you as an unarmed citizen because when some people see you with a camera, they begin to see you like someone holding a gun. Also, you should make people around perceive that you had good intentions, if they request to see pictures, show them the ones you feel won’t look insulting to them, also learn to take permission so as to avoid being stoned. You can also take Cool and awesome documentary with your mobile phone. Not necessarily an expensive phone. When you use a phone, you can take pictures secretly and stylishly, without everyone gazing. Lastly, learn to always smile; your appearance says a lot.
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY IN NIGERIA
Photography has really gone far beyond the way it was some years ago. Now, everyone is trying to be known for a particular type of photography. Some fashion, events, weddings, documentary, street, etc. So I can boldly say that things are changing and people are really making it. I would not fail to mention people who are doing great in documentary photography like, Dayo Adedayo, Kelechi Amadi Obi, Sola Animashaun, Bayo Omoboriowo etc.
WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE AS A PHOTOGRAPHER DOCUMENTING JIGAWA?
Like I stated earlier, the major challenge was the language barrier, and let me add the weather (that wasn’t too serious anyway). I believe almost every profession has its own challenges. Other challenges weren’t too serious; they were alternatives, but for the language, I had to work with two great personalities (Abayomi Adekunle and Tanimala everlasting).
WHERE DO YOU SEE DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA IN THE COMING YEARS?
I must confess, documentary photography is really going wide, there are many stories to tell, there are many locations and activities to be unfolded and they need to be told with pictures. We now have documentary photography blogs, and people who sell pictures in the digital market, we now have photo galleries and exhibitions, I assure you things are really changing and people are more creative.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE INDUSTRY IN THE COMING YEARS?
To be candid, I so much love documentary, and I would say that I see myself or I want to become the official and personal photographer to the president: capturing moments of all his/her activities. I didn’t mention that I also love travelling and moving around, I have plans of launching a website for just documentary photography and creating a strong platform for documentary photography.
ANY WORDS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT WANT TO START A CAREER IN DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY?
I would say: you alone know what you can achieve, you are the only you In this world. There is only one you, and that’s why you have to be you. I believe someone understand this. Another one is be creative and shoot continuously. Practice makes perfection.
