The Interview Series (Episode 1)

FUEL YOUR PASSION WITH HARDWORK… - Akinyemi

   

   Akinola Akinyemi (CEO Influence Studios)

Our guest this week is a creative in the media space. He is a photographer and a cinematographer who has set a standard in the media space. He is passionate about documenting his beautiful country, he is a philanthropist and a lover of God. Follow us on this journey into his creative career.

Welcome on board, we are happy to have you this week.

Akinyemi: Thank you very much. It is a privilege to be on the show.

Can you tell us about yourself?

Akinyemi: My name is Akinola Akinyemi. I am a photographer and videographer currently based in Jos, Plateau State.

How did the journey into Photography and Cinematography start?

Akinyemi: It all started when I resumed language school in Russia back in 2014, I was fascinated by the beautiful scenery in the country and I wanted to document it. 

Fortunately, there I had a friend who had a camera, and he allowed me to have access to it. That was where it all started. 

I started shooting casually and then after a year, I got my own camera (canon 700d) and I gradually pivoted into shooting beauty, portraits and fashion.

Can we say the motivation is from the beautiful scenery in Russia, or is there something else that motivated you?

Akinyemi: Yes sir, that was what sparked the passion.

Saying it sparked the passion; do you mean you had the passion for photography before then?

Akinyemi: I have always loved the creative space but I never really gave it much thought before the time. Upon getting to Russia and seeing beauty all around, I couldn't resist anymore and I went straight in and haven't looked back since then.

How was it when you started?

Akinyemi: At the beginning, it was fun, I was enjoying myself and having a great time. I would go out and shoot beautiful places, my friends and anyone who would allow me to shoot them. I was having a swell time.

Then I decided to make my hobby my profession, that is when reality hit. 

Photography is a very expensive hobby and I was spending a lot on equipment, software and learning the craft but I was making nothing in return. My friends were willing to allow me shoot them for free but they were not ready to pay.

So, in summary, I was in a dilemma in the early days of my career. I was enjoying myself because I love the art but I needed to pay my bills.

Taking into cognisance all these, how were you able to surmount the challenges and still keeping up till now?

Akinyemi: In life, you have to realise that you will constantly face challenges if you plan to grow. So, in my case, once I figured out the challenge (not getting paid), I did 2 things.

1 Hold on to my motivation, love for the art.  Even though I wasn't getting paid, I allowed my love and passion for the art to keep me motivated to keep creating.

2. I started doubling down on the business side of the art by doing the following things: 

a. I curated a portfolio for the kind of Jobs I wanted to be hired for.

b. I spent a lot of time learning tips and techniques on how to be better in the craft. I learnt  both offline by attending physical trainings and online (especially Youtube).

3. Truth be told, your friends or family members might not be your clients. Therefore, I started reaching out to potential clients (small business owners, churches, media companies, students, makeup artists, modelling schools etc), I curated a portfolio.

4. I went to a lot of photography events and networked with a lot of photographers. This did 2 things for me. I was able to rub minds with like minds and build relationships with them and  I was able to assist some of this photographers with their projects, thereby making some money, and also getting hands on experience and gaining exposure.

A combination of all these helped me survive the early challenges.

So what are the projects you have worked on since you started?

Akinyemi: I have worked on a couple of personal and commissioned projects. 

UNCLEAR: Born out of the fact that it had to take COVID-19 to  make it clear to all of us that  we don't need much to be alive and happy.

AFRICA: I tried to portray Africa as a woman who is in the process of growth and would hopefully  someday become a beautiful  damsel.

LIP ART: It was a project to show that the human body is complete art and as small as the lip is, it can also be used to make gorgeous art.

I've worked on a lot of other beauty and fashion projects (as this is my forte) both locally and internationally.

I have also worked on a lot of other documentary projects with organizations  such as Next Camp and Power of Resurrection church in Russia, African Artists foundation, and Kurengworkx in Nigeria and lots more.

Any other project on the way?

Akinyemi: Definitely. I have a lot of projects coming on the way. Both in the photo and video space. Some documentary, some beauty and fashion. Watch my social media handles to stay up to date when they get released.

What are the points to put in minds when trying to execute a project as a creative?

Akinyemi: 

1. WHY? 

Why are you creating the project? What is the idea? What point are you trying to pass across? 

2. Who is/are the target audience? 

3. On which platform will you reach your target audience? 

4. What is the economic benefit to you?

Will you get paid? Will you get exposure? Will you get referrals? Or is it just a passion project or a portfolio piece? 

Based on your answer to number 4:

i. Do you need to collaborate?

ii. Do you need to source for funding?

iii. How do you plan to market the finished project?

Going back to the start; some people will say it is because you started abroad that is why you are able to make it so easily as a creative. Can you tell us the story behind the Russia journey?

Akinyemi: Oh, the creative space is similar everywhere. The same steps needed for success apply everywhere.

Granted, it is easier in some parts of the world with an established creative sector than other parts of world where that isn't in existence.

That said, I went to Russia on scholarship to study and it was while studying that I picked up the camera and started creating. I used the larger part of my pocket money to buy camera gear and get better in the craft. I didn't have a parent or sibling who was sending me money to fund my passion. It was all me, hard work and the grace of God.

So, if you put in the hardwork, take the right steps and backed up by God's grace, you'll be successful in the creative space regardless of the country you're in.

Where do you see your brand in the next 5 years?

Akinyemi: The goal is to make influence studios a media production company. 

The aim is to produce visuals (photography and videography) for brands, make documentaries and have an institution that teaches people the art of photography and videography. 

I strongly believe that by 2025, all these should be a reality.

Your advice to young, upcoming creatives in Nigeria?

Akinyemi: Keep creating, network with other creatives, sharpen your skills through learning, learn the business side of the craft and remember, you're your only competition.

Thank you for coming on the show, it is nice having you. Hope to have you here again in the nearest future. Keep impacting your generation.

Akinyemi: Thank you very much for having me. 

TIPS: The success of a creative lies in the understanding of what he/she is doing, the dedication to his/her craft, and the impacts being made in the society. Above all, everything should be dependent on God.

Follow our guest on social media:

IG: @influence_images

Youtube: @influence studios