It is Fun being a PHOTOGRAPHER: Azubuike Onyeisi Kells

I am Azubuike Onyeisi Kells,

I hail from Ika North East in Delta State, I’m a photographer. I started photography in a  studio in Awka, I worked there for a year and half before I decided to set up my own studio. I was coached by  August Udoh (a celebrity photographer in Lagos), I respect him so much so much because he taught me a lot about the profession.

I will classify myself as a portraitists and a wedding photographer because I love taking portrait pictures and capturing of that golden moment between a man and woman when they are being joined together as one. I’m also building my portfolio as a fashion photographer.

I have photographed celebrities like Eva, Wizzy, OkeyBakassi and others. Also the official photographer for Muse magazine, Bug magazine, Jasmine Magazine, Reel Glitz Magazine and many more.

Being a photographer is fun trust me; it has been a very good journey and fun all the way.

What makes a perfect picture?

What makes a perfect picture to me is three things; first, the photographer. What I mean by that is the photographer’s props; his style of picture also affects it because every photographer has a concept and image on his head he wants to play out to the subject. Secondly, the model (subject).If the model is flexible, the picture will come out well. Lastly, the styling (wears or costumes). You can’t compare someone that is properly styled to someone that is shabbily dressed.

What a model should look for when choosing a photographer for his or her photo shoot

As a model, the first thing is to know the aspect of modeling you are into. Some are fashion, commercial and so on; the type of photographer you should look out for is a fashion photographer. Look for a good one no matter the amount; because the quality of your photos depends on the photographer, he brings out the concept and whatever idea you may have. He is the one to interpret it, you can’t go for wildlife or event photographer for your modeling shoots, his composition is different

Anything is pricing. Different photographers have different prices. Go for what you want, don’t settle for any less.

Advice to models and anybody wanting to go into photography

Let me start with models, as a model, my advice to you is keep doing what you do and don’t relent at the same time, be careful. Read articles about modeling, download pictures and learn poses, watch fashion TV, get in line with the industry professional (photographers, art/casting directors, agents) make friends with them

Another thing as a model, make yourself available to a photographer, offer yourself as a free muse, yes everybody wants to get paid but at the same time if a photographer wants to take pictures of you, just offer yourself, don’t reject it because you don’t know how that picture will pay you tomorrow, what you need to do is to go into an understanding with him in case the picture pays tomorrow. Don’t be money driven; the picture can go far especially in the era of social networks which makes it possible.

 As an aspiring photographer, I will tell you it’s not easy but its fun. Being a photographer you have to be passion driven, if you take it as a hustle it may be frustrating and you leave at the end.

Next is read photography books, download tutorials, don’t be afraid to try out new things, the more you try the --- to discover new ideas. Also make new friends with other professional photographers, ask questions, and attend workshops to discover angles and shots.

Don’t allow your passion to die, definitely you will enjoy it.