Ayodele Akinwale Oyewopo is a final year student of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State who found that his passion in photography could not be ignored. He built on it and now, the CEO of AKINKOREDE Studio, Akinkorede OAK films and (APA) Akinkorede Photo Academy has sucessfully carved a niche for himself in the world of the camera.
TMG> Why did you choose to go into photography as a student of Law?
Ayodele> I believe I didn’t choose Photography, “it chose me.” Growing up, I was really good at drawing, painting and basically anything that said ‘creativity’. However, all this changed when I gained admission into OAU to study Law. It was as if the ability left me because I simply did not have time for it. Ironic how I now have a career in Photography, right? Naturally, I began to manifest traits of one who will come to create great images and it all began while I was in my 100 level.
TMG> What was your original path? How did you get from being an aspiring photographer to actually doing it full time, for a living?
Ayodele> Well, the line between an aspirant and a full-fledged service provider is resolve. I remember there used to be a time when images I took looked good to me, then I started to get exposed. Convinced that I could be a lot better than I actually was, I started my journey. Photographers all know and agree that getting to your destination in terms of desire is likened to building blocks. You cannot get it all once except you’re sitting on oil money and even so, there is the skill acquisition in itself as opposed to the gear acquisition. As a photographer, one of my mottos is “Rome wasn’t built in a day, definitely my studio cannot be built in a day”. The little you have at intervals must go a long way into making up for the large you need.
TMG> Did you go to a professional school to learn photography & what credentials did you earn through the program?
Ayodele> Because of the level of understanding I had while starting, moreso, it wasn’t as serious as it is now, and also because of the little or no resources at hand, I had nothing more than few opportunities to experiment with and immediate environment exposure. I had to do a lot of trial and error. It helped me create something new each time and chased me into seeking to know more. Need I tell you that today, there should be only master classes, there really are no beginners at anything because technological resources can give you most of the foundation you need in pretty much anything.
However, that basic knowledge will only take you few steps. At some point I understood that to leave the local champion’s saloon I had to have formal interaction with the standard. In 2015, I enrolled for the Fayrouz l’originale contest with my team of 3 others. I like to refer to this moment because it happens to be the point where I became trully enlightened for the first time. As it is said, competitions make us discover the best of ourselves while we learn from others too.
TMG> What other positions have you previously held before going into photography?
Ayodele> I’m not sure if this would qualify as a position but I was good at playing the guitar, I was a blogger and poet as well. Other than that, I was just another regular person on the street.
TMG> What motivates you to continue taking pictures economically, politically, intellectually or emotionally?
Ayodele> God motivates me. Everything around speaks to me as His marvelous masterpiece of creativity. I feel like a little god when I document and create. My surrounding motivates me. The thought of excellence motivates me. Just knowing that there is something better with your name on it just around the corner is exciting. I know there is no limit to creativity and how it can be manifested. This limitlessness inspires me to keep plugging away. There is always a story waiting to be told. Being the one telling such stories is a great honour. Also, veterans and highly creative individuals from every field especially photography motivate me to do more. To start mentioning names is to end this dialogue.
TMG> Which photographers influenced you, and how did they influence your thinking, photographing, and career path?
Ayodele> As you already know, Kelechi Amadi Obi influenced me- being a law graduate also keeps me inspired because it applies so directly to me. My best friend and photographer Imogirie Afouda also, had a role to play. By the way, he went ahead to become the first runner up at the Fayrouz challenge. On the political phase, Bayo Omoboriowo of His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, Tollani Alli (Ajimobi Oyo state), Oladapo Jullius (Aregbesola State of Osun) and TY Bello amongst others. Tollani once told me, “Never allow anyone tell you what pictures to and not to take. This is your voice” I went ahead and took that portrait of the Governor of Osun state. Others like Bisi Daniels, Trans4maz, Dami Taiwo were close by to advise. On retouching, I also learnt a lot from Trans4maz works as well as ArtbyOye, Artssassin in Kaduna, ChuckDaniels and the king PrinceMeyson. Lastly, my Big Uncle, the Sarkin of Sokoto, George Okoro with Weddings. These are to mention but a few!
TMG> Exactly what is it you want to say with your photographs, and how do you actually get your photographs to do that?
Ayodele> Photography is seeing through your mental eyes and causing others to see in that same light. It is beautiful that when this is intended, various other things are seen too, things that the photographer himself may not have noticed or intended. I want to tell my story with my photographs, I want people to see where I’ve been, what goes on in my thoughts what I know that can help them be better people. Also, with portraits, I want to inspire people to see the heights of perfection they can reach. Alli said,”To be the best, tell yourself you’re the Best. If you’re not, pretend you are.” Images help people to believe. In law, it’s called Evidence. “If it’s in an image then it’s probably true or possible” so when I create an image, I want every soul that sees it to know exactly what I’m telling them and be inspired.
TMG> How do you get the person, place or thing that is in front of the camera onto the film, chip or paper just the way you want?
Ayodele> I think this is a practical question. After the image is taken, it goes through a process we call the post-production. This is to fine-tune the features of the image. When a client asks for a portrait, I take many things into cognisance including their preferences and view. This helps me bend and blend the image into a suitable piece of art that the client or subject will appreciate. This process happens on electronic devices such as a computer or some really topnotch phones. For paper, we take the images to digital or dark room labs. However, dark rooms are easily substituted today for more efficient as well as faster digital photo labs usually called the Printer.
TMG> What technology/software/camera gear do you use to keep focused, as you photograph?
Ayodele> Today, there are multifarious options to pick from in the world of photography. There has been an age-long comparison between Canon and Nikon photo brands especially cameras. You know for instance, 6D(canon) or D610(nikon). Personally, I hold my preferences to myself as I can handle both camera brands just fine. However, in my years of experience,I’ve only been opportuned to own Canon brands. Currently, I shoot a Canon 7D. Softwares like OneCapture, Photoshop, Lightroom, Snapseed are my favourite choices for studio practice.
TMG> How do you get paid to do what you want to do with your photography?
Ayodele> Ideally, I have a price range catalogue I draw out and work with. But before that, as a photpgrapher, I first came out and made it clear of what I was about to start. People need to know how serious you are before they can feel comfortable paying you for something. I won’t buy something, if I know it’s bad or fake. Therefore, a venture that intends to be commercial must first brand itself. Registration is another important thing but branding is the image people remember when your advert isn’t on anymore which drives them to still pay you for what you do. Also, to keep getting paid, I resolve not to be better yesterday than I am today. Continuity in brand content is the soul of any business-as is advertising. If you are better than you were yesterday, people want what you have and pay you for it.
TMG> How many employees report to you and how efficient are they? If you are alone how do you manage?
Ayodele> Right now, I only have interns that work with me as one of the requirements in our Academy. No paid staff except my Manager. As regards their efficiency, it’s a known fact that sometimes you can’t have everyone on the same page as you, which is why I feel reluctant to jump into training people because many people love photography and want to practice it. However, after a while, they quit because of one challenge or the other. So most times, we have people who are not a hundred percent committed and some even refuse to show up later. But we won’t quit.
I started alone and I have coped well for a very long time. I actually learnt to get used to it. So if I’m alone, delivery remains intact.
TMG> In case of problems, how do you manage? Do you seek help from another professionals?
Ayodele> While in my early stage, I ran into challenges and problems frequently. Most times, gear related and some other times, intellectual challenges or roadblocks. It’s good to connect with others in the field because no one is a compendium of knowledge or experience. Everything is unique and when you throw your pride away, you learn and move faster. From time to time, I call other professionals even now, to get clearance. Recently, I was working on a wedding movie and I’ve not spent as much time shooting videos as I have taking pictures. I needed to deliver to the client on a DVD device and I was having issues burning. I tried every software at my disposal and even started to doubt the quality of the disc and my computer. I then made a call(not the first) and what my friend had asked me to do was a tiny detail different from what I had been doing. But it worked and I learnt further.
TMG> What is the volume/revenue your establishment has gained in a year? Any profit?
Ayodele> My management may not allow for a full disclosure of figures but I can assure you that with photography, as long as you have made returns yesterday and used it to upgrade your base, no matter how little, you have made profit. Sometimes clients as natural bargainers present unfavourable bills and sometimes the cost of what I’m doing and the price being paid are on the same level. Sometimes all you have is a bottle of coke in between but if there is a satisfied client as well, it is worth the risk for me. However, I like to create the image that I’m trying to get somewhere and that the more cutbacks I allow, the harder I am able to get where I’m going. AHEAD! Conversely, I make enough to invest in my business and move ahead.
TMG> What do you do to stay educated or abreast of new trends?
Ayodele> I’ve got several platforms to do this, most efficient of which is the Social Media. To stay up to date or educated as you have put it, I create a hunger coupled with that desire I mentioned earlier- desire to be better than yesterday. That’s what drives me to research. Also, one must dig deep into one’s creative soul and explore the possibilities that lie within. Like I said, it’s not enough to harvest from the media, I must also plant in it. Contribution is key and this is what keeps us all educated. Because as students learn in class, so also does the Teacher. The easiest way for beginners is to stay close to their mentors and role models and follow their steps.
TMG> What are your challenges and how do you intend to handle them?
Ayodele> The earliest challenge I faced as a photographer apart from the obvious challenge of limited resources faced by most beginners is that of parental support. I lacked that. Having parents who feared for your outcome should you let something as ambitious as Photography get in the way of studies earned me nothing but the sore disapproval. Every parent wants what is best for their child and will stop at nothing to protect them from harm,especially the ones that may be caused by the child. I later understood this and didn’t blame them for not supporting. As a matter of fact, my father also practiced Photography in his days.
Ayodele> So I believe what parents need is a conviction that their ward is not just busy wasting his/her life on a futile endeavour. Record success at what you do and people will see why you did it in the first place.
Another challenge as I said before is the lack of resources (mostly financial) which sets me chasing one grant or the other or meeting prospective investors far and wide. All because photography is not a cheap hobby.
TMG> Give us an example of someone you have trained or mentored. Where did they start and where are they now?
Ayodele> One of my “Brightest stars” as I like to call them, who went ahead to establish his career and whom I can tell will go far is Victor Abiola, Founder of Purisima pixels. He shows promise. He started off with me as one who knew next to nothing as far as Photography is concerned but due to his unquenchable thirst and desire to be rooted coupled with a vast reserve of passion for photography (permit me to use the phrase-“THE GAME”) He has not only established his name here in Ife, he has proven that in a short time, he will make additional giant strides. The peak of my joy was insurmountable when earlier this year (2017), he was nominated into the same award category as I was- the joy of every proud father…(sorry, teacher) His quest for knowledge can drive you nuts. And that’s all a student should be. There are others but because you said “an example”- that must mean only one.
TMG> Tell us about an accomplishment that you are most proud of in your career.
Ayodele> Wow! Many. Very many. In my time so far I’ve been nominated for more than 10 awards both inside Nigeria and out. Altogether, I’ve bagged only two but a fire of encouragement burns within me anytime I get nominated. I go learning from the other people’s works and even sometimes when according to other people’s standards, they may not be as vast in experience as I may be, I still end up learning a whole lot collectively on how to be better.
The day I got to meet Kelechi Amadi Obi must be the first of those days. He was the judge sitting in terms of photography. Then the words came out of his mouth:” Your picture is really good, I like it” I was only just getting exposed for the first time and this was a surge in my bones to exploit harder. The audition even got aired on SoundcityTv
Another huge accomplishment I choose to admit was the day I was called to photograph 2 Nigerian Governors on visit. I was in the clouds all through.
The most recent of the accomplishments was when I was nominated for an award I didn’t even know about till time was almost up. ‘The Law Gala and Awards Abuja 2017’. It meant a lot to me even though I didn’t make it. It told me that someone somewhere was watching.
TMG> Describe to us a problem you had once with any customer and how did you handle it?
Ayodele> The only major problem I consider serious is when my client doesn’t like what I’ve given them. Unsatisfied clients are my greatest challenge. Not knowing what they want or not being able to provide it. Because we all prefer different things, it may be quite challenging for a photographer to cope. But if I can standardise my production to a level of excellence, the ration of unsatisfied client will surely dwindle. Which is why I try my best to have substantial understanding of every part of client behaviour and service delivery.
I once got commissioned to document an event early 2016. A beauty pageant, because of unknown reasons to me, I didn’t get the balance of my bill which was a little more than half of the entire bill. My client was just hellbent on not paying claiming he did not want the job anymore. I considered what was at stake if I took it up with someone so influential, so I decided to take a’ bullet’ that day. My business image is far more important than a few thousands of naira.
Sometimes, my problem arises from not being able to meet up with deadlines based on unforseen logistical challenges, thus creating a confused spot for both myself and the client. What I do in those situations is simply to compromise on certain benefits and leverage with the client. ADDED VALUE FOR THEM. Anything to make them happier. Also, I learnt to apologise a lot.
TMG> Tell us about your management style and how you handle your Customers?
Ayodele> I handle my clients on an individualistic basis. When the client walks in to sit on the model stool, they become my subjects, but before then, we must have driven through the wall of unfamiliarity and most times, I have lunche dates or meetings with my client first of all before beginning anything. I want to know my client as a person, then as my subject. That is what then enables me to create a world for them in my head. You must know this, to build a concept around somebody, you must first have an understanding of their personality. Some ideas work with some and don’t for others. As one of the banks in Nigeria will say, “we are the ONE CUSTOMER BANK”, I’d like to consider myself as a One subject Photographer. 🙂
I always try to make the client important and feel that way too. Talk with respect and want to know everything about them. They see me ask a lot of questions, they feel that someone cares about the unimportant stuff” about them, they tend to loosen up. When they loosen up, I get to capture their true self. Then you hear things like:” oh I like this one, ah and this too. I don’t know which one to pick. You pick for me” and so on.
Lastly, I convince my clients that I will stop at nothing till I give them my possible best.
TMG> Tell us 3 things that you consider to be your strengths in photography?
Ayodele> First is INSIGHT. Very early enough into photography I noticed I could tell possible outcomes; hardly anything runs by me. Also, this led to an ability to create ideas within split seconds of something happening. I enhanced my speed of capture. Which is why events are my most efficient works. I see myself all over tracking multiple subjects at the same time. It increases your productivity as a “shooter”.
Second is PHOTO ART. The ability to decipher what makes a picture look it’s best. A picture might have come out in its not-so-best form, I believe I possess the skill to even the odds and make it top-notch again mostly through post production. This works hand in hand with understanding the viewing audience demand. What they want to see. Which is why markets sell.
Third is Resourcefulness. I remember on several occasions whereby I’ve been limited on resources, perhaps in the studio, or outdoors where I’m lacking something pivotal to shoot, my head works faster in those situations to find alternatives. And make the best of what is at hand.
TMG> Tell us something you would like to learn or improve upon as a photographer?
Ayodele> I’d like to do a lot of investment on my knowledge and control of light. The ability to bend light to your every will is one of the hallmarks of a Top-notch Photographer. Also, in terms of developing other skills, I’d love to work under big and experienced names in Cinematography like Clarence Peters, Kunle Afolayan, WalinteenPro, James Abinibi and Abula.
TMG> How do you manage cost? If your labour is running high with low profit, what measures do you take to control it?
Ayodele> Profit is something that as a startup, you cannot control or predict. You just have to keep on giving your best. When cost is running low or profit rather, I cutback on purchases. Also, I have a separate account for my studio; whenever there is insufficiency of funds for the business, I invest by myself with my own money. I payback if I can and if I can’t, no harm done. I try not to take out of the business account for things unrelated to my business.
I must also say at this point that Profit is measured in several forms. It doesn’t manifest only in cash. Half of the clothes I wear, I shot to get them. What matters most is the value added. Some clients may have better need of the money you’re asking them for while they have something you may need. Just let that one time go. Not everytime though. Ultimately, in managing my cost, I’ve never lacked.
TMG> How do you manage risk, in terms of damages or loss?
Ayodele> Risk is inevitable, I tell myself. Those who run from risk, never get anything done. A risk is a reason standing against what you need to do. In risk management, I have come to learn that some risks are affordable while some are not. Not that the higher the risk of doing something, the higher the gain if you succeed. However, you need to weigh every option and consider yourself at the wrong end of that situation- is the risk worth the failure? Will your business survive the fall if things don’t work out? I ask myself these questions and to whatever extent I’m able to answer them, I decide. If I don’t have enough to get a damage or loss fixed, I search for alternatives to maximise the time. I try at all times however to make sure I can afford the risk I’m taking.
TMG> In what ways can you encourage other youths not to depend on government for jobs but to be self dependent?
Ayodele- I’m currently sourcing for a grant which I applied for not too long ago. One of the reasons I gave was that, impact is a reciprocal concept. To impact others, you must first be impacted by something or someone and also to be impacted, one must have already caused some level of impact no matter how minute.
Nobody will save this country but God, through us. Look at it this way, we are all woodpeckers on a dying tree. Some of us fat and convenient while some of us on the verge of desperation.. If we don’t figure out a way to repair this tree, even if we abandon our eggs(the future) and fly off to another tree, we might live but someday, that tree will fall, that’s if we don’t peck it down first.
What I’m saying is, “woodpeckers must learn to plant or repair trees”
If every youth in Nigeria is providing a solution to his immediate environmental challenge, people will pay to see that need go away. If I’m hungry, I’ll need to buy some food to make the hunger go away. Whoever is making the food doesn’t need to wait for the government to come to his aid. He is already empowered.
I always say, with every problem, there comes a solution. YOU JUST NEED TO FIND IT.
TMG> Do you socialise and when?
Ayodele> I do socialise, although not in the general sense of it. I don’t club, drink or smoke but for as long as i can remember, I’ve enjoyed meeting people. My vocation does not allow me to meet people.
