He said he is not sure there are books on how to be a creative photographer because being a photographer that stands out from the competitive crowd means discovering your own inner creativity and displaying it in ways that wow people. Knowing how to take a picture is one thing and knowing how to be a photographer is another.
Tolu loves telling stories of people and culture in Sierra Leone through pictures and depicting beautiful landscapes and sunsets. ” Photography discovered me and as a creative artist, photography is a medium in which I use to express myself mainly.”
When photography discovered him, Tolu took his time to bond with the craft by everyday practice, trial, and errors and constant learning.
“I graduated with a BSc in computer science at Njala University in 2014. My first job was a graphic designer at ‘Call to do Business’. Then I worked for UNICEF Sierra Leone for two years and Africell for one year as their graphic designer. While being a graphic designer at UNICEF, photography introduced herself to me and I fell in love with her.”
There are many Africans that want to start up businesses but usually fail because they do not take the required steps. They see education, being an apprentice and voluntarism as a waste of time but Tolu is an exception and an example to many. Today his creative studio is one of the leading studios in Sierra Leone and it is more than just a studio but a creative hub for young people.
“Envizage Concepts it’s not just about photography but about creative arts. It’s about expressing yourself as a youth and using photography, graphic design or videography to display that self-expression. Young Sierra Leoneans come to learn, get inspired and explore their own creative abilities in order to make a difference in their lives and communities by using these mediums.”
For the past 9 years, Tolu has used his skill and knowledge to inspire many upcoming gurus in his field. Ever since his establishment of Envizage Concepts two years ago, Tolu has trained more than ten youth especially females in photography wherein they used the craft as a self-confidence and self-esteem booster.
