APH – We have with us Apala Nation, it’s nice of you to join us today. Tell what is your real name or its your name really Apala Nation? Where are you from? Where did you grow up?
Apala Nation – “Hahaha, my name is Idowu Olamide Joshua, I am from Osun State Nigeria but I grew up in Abuja”
APH – It’s nice to finally know your real name Idowu, we can see Photography is clearly a big part of your life. How and when did you develop your love for Photography?
Apala Nation – “My love for Photography started right after secondary school which was in 2017”
APH – 2017!! Wow, that means you’ve been in the photography world for how long?
Apala Nation – “3 years, yeah I’ve been in the photography world for 3 years”
APH – In these 3 years did you teach yourself? Or did you learn under someone?
Apala Nation – “Well I would say it was an in between thing because when I was self-taught and I also learnt under someone. The guys at the studio where I learnt didn’t stay long and the owner of the place knew nothing about photography so on my own I learnt from YouTube and took free online classes but I was still in the studio working there”
APH – Wow with all of this experience, was it easy for you?
Apala Nation – “Oh I didn’t have it easy at all, finance was a barrier but my mind was so focused on the fact that I knew what I wanted no matter what. Another setback was when the man who I learnt from stopped me from coming due to the fact that I didn’t pay on time”
APH – What Niche of photography are you into?
Apala Nation – “I’m n the Portrait and wedding photography niche”
APH – Portrait and Wedding Niche, what made you choose that specific niche?
Apala Nation – “Well Portrait was because of a guy on Instagram, I love his work; Tosin Junaid is his name then the wedding part, I just love romantic moments, maybe im a romantic guy, but aside that its most especially for the funds”
APH – Okay Mister Romantic, your brand name “Apala Nation”, how did you come up with it? Is there a deep reveal?
Apala Nation – “Lets unravel it together, my brand name is something simple, I got the name Apala a Music genre among the Yorubas and also an igbo friend of mine told me Apala means money in Igbo so I loved the name then I added nation because I believe in God it would be world wide brand with hard work and consistency”
APH – That was a really wonderful reveal, I never knew Apala was a genre of music in Yoruba land, I definitely want to check out the songs from that genre. But anyways, do you have photos where you say these are my favourites? If you do, share them with us.
Apala Nation – “Oh yes of course I have my favourite pictures
APH – oh wow, these pictures are amazing. How do you come up with such amazing concepts for your pictures? Is there a mood you have to be in to channel in your artistic side?
Apala Nation – “Yeahhh there is a mood I have to be in which is being happy and obviously I am always happy (laughs) and another influence is music, music has a huge role to play in creating my pictures and concepts”.
APH – You definitely need to share your playlist with me. Where is your studio located or rather where are you located?
Apala Nation – “Oh just let me know when you want my playlist and I’ll share it with you(smiles) and yeah I’m located in Abuja, I am a freelance photographer”.
APH – That’s good to know. Do you travel a lot because of work?
Apala Nation – “I travel very well in the aspect of wedding photography and I would be adding documentary to my list from Next year, so more travelling”
APH – Do you have any influences? By that I mean do you have any Artists, Photographers and people etc. that have really made an impact on your work?
Apala Nation – “Yes!! The likes of Amazing Klef, Excellere Media, Tosin Junaid and also Anny Robert, there is this guy that influence my wedding photography I can’t remember his name but I would remember it for sure and then of course Olamide and Fireboy; they influence me in their own way”.
APH – I see youre a huge fan of Fireboy and Olamide. Do you have any bad experience or awesome moments you would love to share?
Apala Nation – “This year has being a year of learning and growing and honestly this year made me find my stance as a photographer”.
APH – Cheers to many good years to come. Tell us do you ever get insecured or get dissatisfied about your work or after a shoot?
Apala Nation – “Yes oooo, sometimes I take a whole day trying to get something especially editing, I would spend the whole night editing a picture and still not get the feel that the picture needs to get, most people don’t see it but me being the creator can feel and see that something is missing”.
APH – I understand that feeling so much, it is that moment where you want something to look and feel a certain way but it hasn’t gotten that spice yet. I totally understand. But in all of these is there something you really want to achieve in the world of photography?
Apala Nation – “Yes of course, there are lots of things I would love to achieve in the world of Photography especially in the documentary and wedding aspect, I want to put Nigerian Photography on the world map just like how Afro beats did”.
APH – I love this. Do you ever turn down jobs? If yes, why?
Apala Nation – “Yes I do, one of the reason is that I don’t want to disappoint anyone and maybe I have other jobs already booked or choked with pictures to deliver the next day I would say No then proceed to refer the customer to another photographer I trust”.
APH – I love that you are a honest person but then in this country Nigeria, has it been easy as a photographer?
Apala Nation – “Yes but at the same time its been difficult because most times we are underpriced by customers and the prices of gears increases everyday because of dollar issues so its hard. Abroad you can get nice gears, I mean cameras and light at cheap rate and you would deliver well but this country Nigeria things are just complicated”.
APH – Nigeria is really turning into something else day by day. Do you have any advice for any one starting out as a photographer?
Apala Nation – “Oh yeah just be dedicated and be humble, your time will come. Don’t forget to work hard and pay attention to details.
The 54th 