I'm not going to be judgemental, or say how things should be, I'm just going to speak based on few of our experiences.
I'm not a photographer, just an enthusiast, and I run a unique photography agency. Unique because we do certain key things that drastically enhance the chances of a photographer gaining recognition, we try to make things much more conducive, in such a way that photographers can focus on photography and photography alone.
This brings me to the first point of three.
To be a photographer in Nigeria, you'l be needing a good team.
This goes way beyond getting a manager, a rep or an assistant, because truth be told, you shouldn't expect them to work for free, that'l just be cruel. You'l need to get a partner first and foremost.
Someone (or people) who will share all facets of risk with you, someone who will put in time and resources along with yours, through the struggles, and also have a good share of things when the good times come. These people are really hard to find (the ones you can trust i.e), but when you do find one, you'l know , because as time goes on as you grow and become better, so will they, and the synergy becomes effortless and graceful.
This brings me to my second point
To be a photographer in Nigeria, You'l need to grow.
I wont blame you if on reading that last line you're like "DUHHHH, lol but hear me out.
First off, Welcome to Naija. Most of your hours will be unusual, especially if you are just starting out. From your own personal marketing efforts to making sure you deliver on time, you will have to learn how to conduct your growth process similar to the way you see a bus conductor work his routes on a busy Monday afternoon. I'm not saying wear tattered clothes and shout "Ojuelegba" at the top of your voice any time you're heading out, I'm just saying , mimic the energy, and it will pay dividends.
It takes a whole lot of faith, focus and resilience to maintain that kind of energy
This brings me to my third and final point
For the point on Faith,
Q: How do you know that a chair will hold your weight when you sit on it?
A: You don't know, you just sit on it and get ready to deal with the outcome.
For the point on Flinching
Q: Supposing the chair holds firm, what do you do?
A: You keep doing what you're doing. Wont make any sense flinching now would it.
and finally
For the point on Giving Up
Q: Supposing the chair breaks, how do you deal with it?
A: I really don't know, but I can tell you 1 thing for sure, sitting on the floor wont solve anything.
That brief analogy will mean different things to different readers, but I'm sure it will help hone in on the same universal point.
Thanks For Reading
Photography by
August Udoh
Words
Macaulay Ayobami
Orbit Imagery
Photography | Graphics | Management & Consulting
I'm not a photographer, just an enthusiast, and I run a unique photography agency. Unique because we do certain key things that drastically enhance the chances of a photographer gaining recognition, we try to make things much more conducive, in such a way that photographers can focus on photography and photography alone.
This brings me to the first point of three.
To be a photographer in Nigeria, you'l be needing a good team.
 |
| You Really Don't Want To Go At This Alone |
Someone (or people) who will share all facets of risk with you, someone who will put in time and resources along with yours, through the struggles, and also have a good share of things when the good times come. These people are really hard to find (the ones you can trust i.e), but when you do find one, you'l know , because as time goes on as you grow and become better, so will they, and the synergy becomes effortless and graceful.
This brings me to my second point
To be a photographer in Nigeria, You'l need to grow.
I wont blame you if on reading that last line you're like "DUHHHH, lol but hear me out.
 |
| You'l Need To Put In The Hours |
First off, Welcome to Naija. Most of your hours will be unusual, especially if you are just starting out. From your own personal marketing efforts to making sure you deliver on time, you will have to learn how to conduct your growth process similar to the way you see a bus conductor work his routes on a busy Monday afternoon. I'm not saying wear tattered clothes and shout "Ojuelegba" at the top of your voice any time you're heading out, I'm just saying , mimic the energy, and it will pay dividends.
It takes a whole lot of faith, focus and resilience to maintain that kind of energy
This brings me to my third and final point
 |
| Don't Flinch, Have Faith , Don't Give Up |
Q: How do you know that a chair will hold your weight when you sit on it?
A: You don't know, you just sit on it and get ready to deal with the outcome.
For the point on Flinching
Q: Supposing the chair holds firm, what do you do?
A: You keep doing what you're doing. Wont make any sense flinching now would it.
and finally
For the point on Giving Up
Q: Supposing the chair breaks, how do you deal with it?
A: I really don't know, but I can tell you 1 thing for sure, sitting on the floor wont solve anything.
That brief analogy will mean different things to different readers, but I'm sure it will help hone in on the same universal point.
Thanks For Reading
Photography by
August Udoh
Words
Macaulay Ayobami
Orbit Imagery
Photography | Graphics | Management & Consulting