THE 54th – Hey how are you doing? Tell us a bit about your background, your name, where you are from, where you grew up?

THIAGHO – My name is Thiagho. I am from Trinidad & Tobago but I grew up in Nigeria.

THE 54th – When was the first time you picked up a camera?

THIAGHO – I do not remember.

THE 54th – What would you say was that moment where you went “God I love photography so much, I want to do it, I want to learn it”

THIAGHO – I never felt that way. I just did it. I just want to record the moment. Time never stops only in pictures.

I just wanted to show the world how I saw things.

THE 54th – This is actually a wonderful way to put it. Talking about Niche, How would you characterize your niche in photography?

THIAGHO – I don’t know. Niche isn’t for me. It’s all about taking as much as I can. No matter the style.

THE 54th – Were you self taught or you learnt under someone?

THIAGHO – Self taught is unjust to certain people. I feel it’s more just doing what you like and if people like it then they do. If they don’t that’s fine too.

THE 54th – Does music have an important role to play when you are shooting? Does it help in getting your models to show the emotions you are looking for?

THIAGHO – Music is very important. Depending on my mood during the period or who I am shooting, I deal with a lot of musical artists and for the most part I usually listen to their music while shooting or editing.

Music helps but it depends on the shoot and model.

THE 54th – Do you ever criticize your own work?

THIAGHO – Always. Before. Now. Forever. Nothing will be good enough even in death to me.

If my work does stand the test of time then good but to me I will never be satisfied. 

THE 54th – To achieve your tones and color grading when taking the pictures, do you temper with the lighting so when editing you would be able to achieve your desired grading?

THIAGHO – It is heavily dependent on what kind of shoot and moodboard.

THE 54th – What does your work as a photographer try to explore?

THIAGHO – I just take pictures. I don’t seek a lot of meaning. As long as it makes the viewer happy. Mission accomplished.

THE 54th – What do you do to make your clients feel comfortable being in front of the camera?

THIAGHO – I try to make these accordingly. No two people are the same.

It depends on whom you are dealing with.

THE 54th – How are you carving out your own path in the creative industry? How do you ensure to be different and to be able to stand out?

THIAGHO – I just do me. Honestly I don’t try to be different, I am different. We all are. This is art not math. You can’t copy me and even if you did, it’s not a copy but your own version.

THE 54th – What skill do you want to improve on as a photographer?

THIAGHO – Everything. From shooting to editing. Everything need to be improved.

THE 54th – When you started, what was your first camera/gear? Did you start big or did you start small then you gradually climbed the ladder?

THIAGHO – Nikon D5300. Started how I could. SMALL . But if you can get better gear. GET IT.

THE 54th – As a creative and photographer, are there any other photographer you would love to work with?

THIAGHO – A lot. Too many to count. I already worked with a lot of incredible minds already. I work with them everytime.

THE 54th – What obstacles do you face as a photographer in your country?

THIAGHO – Cost of gear.

Electricity. 

Internet. 

Undervalued work. 

THE 54th – With how everyday there’s a new trend and technology, how do you ensure that you stay in the trend? Do you try to keep up with it? Or you try to stay away from trends?

THIAGHO – I try to know but it’s becoming harder. If it’s beneficial to me. I will try it.

THE 54th – Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to start out as a photographer or creative?

THIAGHO – Just start. Start now.