APH – Hey guys, today we have with us here one of the best portrait photographers in Ibadan, tell us, what is your name, where are you, where did you grow up?
Esteem King Photography – “My name is Gabriel Favour King a.k.a Esteem King (The Spiritual Grapher) and I am from Imo state but grew up in Ibadan, Oyo state”.
APH – Photography is clearly a big part of your life. What were the steps you took to get you to where you are now in the world of photography?
Esteem King Photography – “It was all consistency, dedication and hard work years back. I had to work in a factory to pay for my graduation fee after being given a vocational scholarship to learn photography and also do a day and night job shift just because I wanted an upgrade in this vocation. Believe me when I say, it wasn’t easy…. lol….”
APH – How long have you being a photographer?
Esteem King Photography – “3 years now but 1year professionally”.
APH – Did you have it easy when you started?
Esteem King Photography – “I never had it easy; it started as wrong a decision but ended up being one of the greatest decisions I have had to take as far as I can remember. It was 3yrs of pain and excitement to be the best among all (still doing that till now).”
APH – Are you self-taught? Or did you learn under someone? {If you were self-taught how was the experience? If you learned under someone how was the experience}
Esteem King Photography – “I won’t say I was self-taught to be precise because I was exposed to photography by a digital photography company called Alpha Photonet (One of the most indigenous and well known photography company in Ibadan then) …. I invested all my finances on data because man gats watch YouTube tutorials, eyes staying wide open throughout learning new photography tricks. The process of learning is never easy and all I had to give it was my humility, hard work and dedication”.
APH – What niche of photography are you into?
Esteem King Photography – “I am a Portrait & beauty Photographer.
APH – Why did you choose to pick that Niche?
Esteem King Photography – “Portrait photography is a one aspect of photography I do feel connected to and like to put in every atom of creativity into”.
APH – Show us your 5 favorite pictures you have ever taken
Esteem King Photography – “All my images are my favorites but I would be showing you 5”
APH – How do you come up with such amazing concepts for your photos? Is there a mood you to be in to achieve such concept?
Esteem King Photography – “To be sincere, I just try as much as possible to be intentional about my works and follow creatives that inspire me through their work”.
APH – Do you think gear matters in photography?
Esteem King Photography – “Gear matters but that doesn’t mean you can’t be your 100 without it”.
APH – What gear did you start with during the genesis of your photography journey?
Esteem King Photography – “Nikon D3200 and a TTL Speedlight”.
APH – Where is your studio located or where are you based?
Esteem King Photography – “I’m based in Ibadan City”.
APH – Do you travel a lot because of work?
Esteem King Photography – “In as much as I like seeing new places, I do dislike travelling but when there is a need to, I do most times”.
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?
Esteem King Photography – “So many”.
APH – Do you ever get insecured or not satisfied with a particular shoot?
Esteem King Photography – “Yes, most times. Always thinking I could do more”.
APH – Do you have any bad experience or awesome moments you would love to share throughout your years as a photographer?
Esteem King Photography – ‘Many, but would tell you one thing…. don’t forget your gadget when travelling for work”.
APH – Is there something you really want to achieve in the world of photography?
Esteem King Photography – “Many things I want to achieve but would want to keep them to myself, lol”.
APH – Do you ever turn down jobs? If yes, why?
Esteem King Photography –“I turn down underpaying and risky jobs”.
APH – So far has it been easy being a photographer in your country?
Esteem King Photography – “Photo gees don’t have it easy here in Ibadan, we all wake up every morning to hustle hard like tomorrow is never coming”.
APH – Do you have any advice to any one starting out as a photographer?
Esteem King Photography – “My advice to every budding photographer is too stay humble, hardworking, dedicated to learning and invest widely in gadgets and master class. Stay in the process of learning, unlearning and relearning”.
The 54th 