Photography set to reach new heights amid astounding inspiration
During May this year international superstar Rihanna made history when she became the first female to launch an innovative brand, known as Fenty Maison, at the LVMH luxury goods collective. Although the brand debuted in France, Fenty released a steady flow of sartorial images leading up to the global online launch. The astounding images were shot by none other than talented Nigerian-born photographer, Ruth Ossai. The now UK-based Ossai, who is known for her astonishing portrait and studio photography, is paving the way for other local photographers to reach their full potential. Nigeria, in fact, offers budding photographers countless photo opportunities with particularly the country’s fashion scene and natural landscapes proving to be inspirational.
Exploding fashion scene makes for ample photo opportunities
The fashion scene in Nigeria is booming with a vast number of new designers attesting to the growth of the industry. While the fashion designers are without a doubt the backbone of the industry, the reach of their efforts would be very limited without the assistance of the nation’s fashion photographers. One such a photographer is Lakin Ogunbanwo whose beautiful bold images are exactly the type of art the crew at CanvasPop are referring to when they proclaim that they are “obsessed with great design, amazing photography and stunning digital art. “With a keen eye for clean lines and severe visual, Ogunbanwo is fast making a name for himself in the international world of fashion. With designers such as Folake Folarin–Coker, Duro Olowu, and Lisa Folawiyo putting Nigerian fashion on the map there is bound to always be an immense amount of inspiration to be found for photographers.
Countless photographic opportunity in the Nigerian landscapes
As far as natural beauty goes, the animal life and landscape of the country has remained virtually unspoiled for centuries, making Nigeria one of the best spots for nature photography in West Africa. One of the most inspirational and photogenic natural wonders of Nigeria is without a doubt the Zuma Rock in Abuja. While many locals undoubtedly pass the 725m tall rock without even as much as a glance it remains a favorite among landscape photographers. Other popular photographic hotspots include the Kamuku National Park, Takwa Bay Beach, and the Agbokim Waterfalls in Cross River State.
The Zuma Rock not Abuja’s only inspiration
Despite being one of the most photographed natural occurrences in the country, Zuma Rock is not the only thing worth photographing in Abuja. The Fulani mud huts of the region have been the focal point of a number of photo projects including one by renowned Nigerian photographer Aisha Augie-Kuta. Aisha is based in Abuja and was the proud recipient of the Future Award for Creative Artist of the Year for her Faces of Africa portrait series which featured portraits of women that were elaborately-painted to depict the vivacious patterns and colors of the Ethiopian Surma tribe. One of her later projects, however, solely revolved around the unseen side of the Fulani huts which, as if by magic, blend into the surrounding landscapes with ease, making them superb photographic subjects.
Nigeria is a country full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered by photographers. With so much inspiration all around it is no wonder so many astounding photographs are in West Africa’s most beautiful country.