Governor Ajimobi's personal photographer, Tollai Alli speaks on the highs and lows of being a photographer.
read excerpts;
What projects do you have for 2018?
Too many to share, but one of the important motivation behind a project I’m working on this year is to change the way Nigeria is seen globally and internationally. I believe photography has the power to do just that. You’ll be surprised how many people see our photos. The message we send out should be positive because people outside continue to shape our narrative and we should be doing it ourselves. So many people want to come here and experience what makes this nation special but sometimes they don’t. I think images play a role… I’d like to be a game changer to that effect and I’m looking forward to driving projects that do illuminate a glowing narrative..that’s a side of the story that matters and should be told fearlessly. For now, I’ll just say “Look out World”.
How would you describe the public acceptance of a professional female photographer?
My photography is better appreciated now than when I first started. One of the best portrait photographers is a woman – Ty Bello; one of the best kid portrait photographers is a woman – Ria Solanke; one of the best kids party photographer is a woman – Toun Okunnu; one of the best wedding photographer leading the new tribe is a woman – Gazmadu ; six women today are changing the face of personal photography in politics and society today – Myself, Novo Isioro, Haye Okoh, Benita Nnachortam, Adesuwa Iyare and Nguher Zaki.
Even though we are not heard from as much as we’d like to be, I would say professional female photographers are dominating the arena. I like to believe it’s definitely about our abilities rather than gender. Since we sometimes have to fight twice as hard as our male colleagues, going the extra mile to prove ourselves and show that we can handle it, often exposes us to harassment. But like Maya Angelou still we rise!
Equipments for your craft doesn’t come cheap. For aspiring photographers, how would you advise they start?
My advice is to start with what you have. Just start, both Rome and Lagos weren’t built in a day. Eventually, there comes a time when all the effort you’ve put in will be rewarded and that job, corporate deal or wedding will pay for more gear than you can ever dream of. I remember starting with a nikon D3000 camera and a 18-35mm lens; then I saved up money to buy a flash and continued until what I now call mine. I still don’t have all the gear I want but I constantly save to get the best. I do the best I can with what I have. Never let your lack of equipment limit your potential.
Having travelled the world and gathered exposure, what will you identify as challenges posed to female photographers especially in Nigeria given their little number?
Compared with other places I have been, female photographers aren’t heard of as much as we’d like to be. It is sometimes difficult to get our works published or exhibited. In some cases we weren’t even taken seriously, but that’s changing quickly. Honestly, I would love to see more women get the big jobs.
Any personal challenges in your line of work?
Where do I even start? Some of them we have already talked about but there are countless more. I see each challenge as a class in the school of life. I learn from them. Challenges make me better,.after all it’s not just about how one acts in the face of comfort but adversity as well. Each challenge has prepared me for the greater opportunities that will come my way.
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