Looking through the camera and taking pictures; I am distracted from all the awkwardness and discomfort of life. There’s no place I would rather be at that moment.
I shoot portraits because I love beauty. I love immersing myself in its wonder and capturing the beauty of people. I love the process of editing, manipulating colors, and trying to create that “perfect” image. I shoot because I love to create; I love the process of getting inspired and hunting ways to create whatever image I have in my head. There’s a certain feeling of content that takes over after all is done and the vision is actualized. Photographers know the joy that comes from this and I don’t think there’s any other joy that compares to this.
I love to discover, I love to take pictures of what I discover; I often feel like this is a journey to get that perfect image even if it means doing something crazy to get it. I know perfection doesn’t exist so it’s part of the drive that keeps me going, the thrill to see if I can someday attain perfection in imagery.
My name is David Ifaola and this is why I photograph. I can think of no greater honor or privilege than to have a life surrounded by images and the amazing individuals who share them with us.
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David Ifaola (picturesbyhanniff) is a Portrait/Editorial Photographer and Cinematographer based in Calabar, Cross River State. Follow him on Instagram here
