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The 54th – Ladies and gentlemen, today we have the pleasure of speaking with Iredia Eugene, the Creative Director of Preachman Concept, a renowned photography brand specializing in fashion, events, creative photography, tourism, heritage sites, and life documentaries. Iredia, thank you for joining us. How are you doing?

Iredia Eugene – Thank you for having me. I’m doing great, thank you.

The 54th – Wonderful to hear. To start off, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

Iredia Eugene – Certainly. My name is Iredia Eugene, and I am the Creative Director of Preachman Concept. I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Benin in Edo State, Nigeria. Photography has always been a passion of mine, and through Preachman Concept, we specialize in capturing moments in the fields of fashion, events, creative photography, tourism, heritage sites, and life documentaries.

The 54th – That sounds fascinating. It’s always inspiring to see someone turn their passion into a successful venture. Speaking of which, could you tell us about the pivotal moment when your photography journey started.

Iredia Eugene – Of course. I first picked up a camera in August 2019. And my journey started when I had the opportunity to attend Johnny Drille’s Live room concert in Benin City in December 2019. At that time, I was just an enthusiastic beginner photographer with a deep desire to capture great pictures, even though I had limited knowledge about photography. I purchased a regular ticket to the concert, which meant I wasn’t one of the official photographers and couldn’t pass the barricades.

Nevertheless, armed with my Canon 80D equipped with an 18mm to 135mm lens, I made the most of my position. I took numerous shots from different angles, capturing amazing moments throughout the concert. After the show, I went home and spent time editing the images, making necessary adjustments to enhance their quality. Once I was satisfied with the final results, I posted the pictures on my Instagram account, tagging Johnny Drille, Mavin Records, and Don Jazzy.

To my surprise, a week later, I received a message from Johnny Drille himself, expressing his appreciation for the pictures and requesting me to send them to him. Without hesitation, I quickly uploaded the images to Google Drive and shared the link with him.

The 54th – That’s truly an incredible moment. It must have been thrilling to receive recognition from Johnny Drille himself. Now, moving on to Preachman Concept, could you elaborate on the core values and focus of your brand?

Iredia Eugene – Absolutely. At Preachman Concept, we are driven by the beauty of fashion and creativity in unseeming and unique ways. Our aim is to capture the essence of beauty and showcase it through our photography. Whether it’s a fashion shoot, an event coverage, or documenting life’s precious moments, we strive to deliver stunning visuals that captivate and inspire.

The 54th – What motivates you to create?

Iredia Eugene – I’m motivated by the environment, people, and other creatives who push the boundaries of their craft.

The 54th – It’s fascinating to see how your surroundings and the people you encounter fuel your creative energy. Speaking of equipment, what camera did you start with, and what do you currently use?

Iredia Eugene – When I first started, I used a Canon 80D, which served me well. However, I have since upgraded to a Canon 6D Mark II, which has been a game-changer for me.

The 54th – It’s always interesting to see how photographers evolve their equipment as they progress in their careers. Did you undergo any formal training or were you mostly self-taught?

Iredia Eugene – I believe it’s a bit of both. When I first held a camera, I did my fair share of research and asked my friend Axenic, who’s a multifaceted creative, many photography-related questions. He even sent me some beginner’s e-books that were incredibly helpful. Later on, I joined Alvin Philip Visuals as an intern, which provided me with better exposure to enhance my photography skills. I learned practical techniques for capturing good and better pictures, as well as editing and retouching images. Following that, I sought an upgrade with Aham Ibeleme in Lagos. Aham exposed me to a plethora of photography tricks and tips, further refining my craft.

The 54th – It sounds like you’ve had an enriching journey, combining both self-guided learning and mentorship from established photographers. Now, let’s shift gears a bit. 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?

Iredia Eugene – Music plays a significant role in my creative process. I always have it playing in the background while shooting. It brings a light vibe and helps me set the mood for the shoot.

The 54th – That’s a fantastic way to set the atmosphere and infuse your work with a certain energy. As an artist, do you ever find yourself being self-critical of your own work?

Iredia Eugene – Absolutely. I believe self-criticism is a crucial aspect of growth. I constantly evaluate my work and challenge myself to improve. It’s essential to recognize areas where I can enhance my skills and strive for better results.

The 54th – Apart from photography, are there any other creative fields or skills you are currently exploring or interested in?

Iredia Eugene – Yes, I’m quite interested in graphics design and web design. I’m currently working on developing my web development skills and expanding my knowledge of other tech-related areas.

The 54th – It’s great to see your eagerness to broaden your skill set. Are there any photographers who have had a significant influence on your work?

Iredia Eugene – Two major photographers who have greatly influenced me are Alvin Philip and Aham Ibeleme. Their expertise and unique approaches to photography have had a profound impact on my own creative journey.

The 54th – Wonderful choices indeed. How do you strive to differentiate yourself and your work from others in the industry?

Iredia Eugene – I constantly challenge myself to do things differently and move away from the usual and common approaches. I seek to bring a fresh perspective to my work, embracing innovation and pushing boundaries to create distinct and captivating images.

The 54th – That’s a fantastic approach, Iredia. Could you share some insights into how you handle working with clients and any memorable experiences you’ve had?

Iredia Eugene – Working with clients can be both difficult and easy. It all starts with studying the client and understanding their unique needs and expectations. Everyone is different, and people respond differently. By adapting my approach accordingly, I aim to provide the best possible experience and deliver results that exceed their expectations.

The 54th – Adaptability is a key trait in working with clients successfully. Can you share a situation where you faced a challenging lighting scenario or any photography problem and how you managed to overcome it?

Iredia Eugene – There was a time when I was scheduled to shoot a bride, and suddenly, the trigger to my Godox AD600 malfunctioned. It was a stressful moment, but I remained calm and quickly grabbed my Godox V850ii speed light to shoot instead. Surprisingly, the pictures turned out cool and nice, and it taught me the importance of adaptability and finding solutions even in challenging situations.

The 54th – That’s a great example of thinking on your feet and finding alternative solutions. What steps do you take to stay updated with the ever-evolving field of photography and technology?

Iredia Eugene – To stay updated, I make sure to read up on the latest trends, do extensive research, and see how I can blend these new developments into my own work. The truth is, we can’t avoid technological evolution, so it’s important to embrace it and adapt accordingly.

The 54th – How do you ensure that you are delivering the highest-quality photos to your clients?

Iredia Eugene – I ensure not to edit my works in a hurry, this gives me enough time to scrutinize the work and deliver the best.

The 54th – Is there something you really want to achieve in the world photography?

Iredia Eugene – Yes. I want to create memories with my works. Telling stories with my images and wielding pictures that transcends beyond imagery to speak to human souls and the larger society.

The 54th – Do you have any advice to any one starting out as a photographer?

Iredia Eugene – My message to beginner photographers would be to keep learning, conduct research, attend workshops, and ask questions. Strive to create a unique niche with your work, believe in yourself and the art you create, and never stop pushing the boundaries of your creativity.

The 54th – Those are inspiring words, Iredia. Thank you so much for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. It has been a pleasure speaking with you, and we wish you continued success in your photography journey.

Iredia Eugene – Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure sharing my story. I appreciate the opportunity, and I hope my experiences can inspire others in their own creative pursuits.

Capturing Creativity: An Inspiring Journey into Photography with Iredia Eugene, Creative Director of Preachman Concept | Website: Preachmanconcept.com | Instagram: @preachmanconcept | Twitter: @preachmaneugene | Facebook: @preachmanconcept”