Listening to The Cavemen – Teach me how to love
APH – I’m a fan of your work Sebasteen Phactory, tell us what’s your name, where are you from and where did you grow up?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY– Hello, thank you for having me. My name is Offiajiaku Sabastine. I came from the Eastern part of Nigeria, Anambra State to be precise, I basically grew up in different parts of Nigeria (laughs). First it was Kaduna state in the Northern part of Nigeria till i was 12 years old then I relocated to Asaba because of the insurgency issues happening in Kaduna. Later went to Awka to finish secondary school, then Enugu.
APH – You weren’t lying when you said you grew up in different parts of Nigeria. You’ve been a Photographer for quite some time now, what does your images/art try to explore? What do you always have in mind when creating and capturing your images?.
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – My work explores the beauty in everything, every moments and details. I also try to explore colours.
APH – Looking at your pictures, I love how you color grade, do you intentionally try to tell stories with how you color grade your images?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – Yeah I try to communicate the mood, story and theme of any photograph through my color grade.
Color grading is my favorite part in the editing process.
APH – What motivates you to create?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – My mood mostly then for external motivation and inspiration I would say I get motivated by other photograhers, Movies and my environment/space.
APH – You say you get motivated and inspired to create by other Photographers, who are those photographers that has greatly influenced you and your work?.
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – Yes Thelexash, Kashop, lucasugo, Jeffchinonso, Loxyvisauals. And alot more. They are amazing photograhers, staring at their work, their photos and how effortlessly they create it influenced everything that makes me a photographer today.
APH – If You would have to box yourself into a niche, What niche of photography would you say you belong to ?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – I would say I belong to the fashion, wedding and lifestyle niche respectively. Though I still try my best to experiment with new stuff everyday.
APH – Fashion, Wedding and lifestyle that’s amazing so What kind of gear do you use to create your images?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – I use a Canon M50 with a 50mm prime lens.
APH – What was the first gear you used during the genesis of your photography journey
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – It was a Canon 60D my uncle got for me, sadly got damage when I started giving it out.
APH – Do you think gear matters?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – Yes alot, although the person using it matter more. I remember using a Canon 60D and my images where far better then some people with higher gears but the truth is gears matter alot.
APH – Out of all the images you’ve created do you have favorites?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – No, I don’t think so. I will get really confused.
APH – What skills did have to develop during your creative journey?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – It’s has to be my communicative skills. I use be a very shy and quite person (laughs) but look at me now, I hardly keep this mouth shut.
APH – What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve faced as a photographer?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – That will be acquiring more gears because gadgets keep getting expensive by the day.
APH – What techniques do you use in capturing the emotions in your photos?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – I dont really know, every photo has a theme and that’s what I use In creating each piece.
APH – How do you work with clients to make sure their vision is represented in the photos?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – Before any shoot, I let them explain what they really want, what kind of outfits they are going on, their hair style and stuff then I share my idea to them on how we can bring their ideas into existence.
APH – How do you handle difficult lighting situations?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – Oh boy, I mostly shoot outdoor (laughs) I make use of natural light basically all the time with a reflector so lightening has never been an issue you know, it only becomes a problem during events like a wedding.
APH – What do you do to stay current with photo technology and trends?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – Trends don’t stay forever. I try to be original you know but once in a while I try to learn new stuff Iike for example I started making videos for instagram reels after every shot. 😅
APH – How do you ensure that you are delivering the highest-quality photos to your clients?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – I give my best no matter how small the job is.
APH – Is there something you really want to achieve in the world photography?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – Yeah I want to be an inspiration for young photographers and artists in Africa and all over the world.
APH – Do you have any advice to any one starting out as a photographer?
SEBASTEEN PHACTORY – What will be will be “don’t rush, be slow and steady and more importantly be consistent.
The 54th 