-Akure Celebrity Photographer, Banky, Reveals
...... Speaks on his 10 year experience
...... Speaks on his 10 year experience
A graduate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Banky had to put his degree aside to pursue and make a career of his passion, Photography.
Recently he spoke with EventDiaryLifestyle News, about his life and career in the last 10 years. It is very inspiring!
For the benefit of our readers, who is Banky?
Thanks! Well, I am Bankole Felix Ayodele, fondly called Banky. The CEO, Banky Digity. I was born over 30 years ago. I am a graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti. I did my Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).
At the risk of being immodest, I am a man of integrity, I love serving God, and my passion for photography is second to none. It’s a passion I developed 10 years ago while at the University.
What inspired you into photography?
I will say passion! It’s a passion I developed 10 years ago during my NYSC. As a matter of fact, I started photography same year I went for the NYSC scheme. I realized it is a kind of job I love so much. Back in my days at the University, even in secondary school, I love taking pictures and that was where I got the inspiration from. There is this joy in me, when people I take pictures for people. So I felt it will be great and rewarding to turn my passion into a reality and a means of livelihood. Because of my passion for photography, I tasked myself and I was able to save my 9,700 naira Federal Government’s Corpers’ allowances for 3 months. So I told my sister in London that I needed a small camera that I can use to start, and with my 3 months savings, I was able to get a printer for 24,000 naira. At first, I started with passport but later developed myself. After NYSC, I went for training under the leadership of one Mr. Gbenga a.k.a JKings, when I was done, I went into self-development in various areas. As at then, Akure was not that developed, in terms of digital, because when I came into the profession then, it was analog, so I was one of those who introduced digital photography. Though it was not easy convincing people then, but I thank God for where we are today, I will say Akure is growing.
Hmmmm….. 10 years down the lane had been grace, I give God all the glory. There is no business without its own challenges. One of our challenges in this business is that photography is very expensive. For one to have good and updated equipment in this business, one needs money, we need good finances because as a photographer, you need to regularly upgrade yourself. Our equipment, especially the cameras, some of the lenses of my camera go for as much as 5 million naira, we need to be updated with our background and studio. In a nutshell, photography is capital intensive. So financing this kind of business is a major challenge. Another challenge is for you to convince your clients to pay. You know, everything is about value-added, and for your clients to understand the value you are giving them, it can be very challenging. Also, we have challenge of electricity, though this is not peculiar to us. However, we thank God for where we are, and how we have been able to overcome these challenges.
Your passion for pictures motivated you into photography, will you say Banky is fulfilled in the last 10 years?
Yes! Majorly when I started the business 10 years ago, I had a plan, and I set a target for myself, one of which is having my own studio, and I blessed God today, this place we are is my second studio, and we still have places to go, with plans to open many studios in other town and states. As for now, we operate in Ondo State. In a nutshell, I will say I am fulfilled, though I still have other goals that I have set for myself and the company. In the last 10 years, we have engaged in skills acquisitions, with over 10 apprentices gone through Banky Digit, some of them are now based aboard, some in Lagos. We have others who have passed through us across Nigeria, and they are doing well in the photography field. Basically, for our level, we bless God, and we are still moving forward. I will use this medium to appreciate our clients, who subscribe and key into our business. Here at Banky Digital World, we specialists in event & lifestyle photography, as we deal with life of people, and children photography. Years back and even till date, I am known for children pictures, some as portrait photographers, we are all into events and lifestyle photography.
Share with us, your first 3 years in the profession?
Like I said earlier, I didn’t have enough capital to start but I was growing the business with my day to day incomes, and because of that, the first year was very tough. I had to go to NYSC camp to take pictures, and at a time I had confrontation with the military personnel at the camp, and they beat me seriously. At a time too, I was moving from one place to another in Akure town, looking for clients to patronize me, and at the same time I was marketing myself. It wasn’t an easy thing but here we are today. I will say today and every year, things are moving better. Here is my second studio, we have been able to improve on our previous studio. It will interest you to know that Corp members observe their Youth Service here now, not less than 12 Corp members have served here. I bless God for everything. If NYSC can find us good enough to post Corp members to us for Service, it shows we are doing well. All glory to God because it has been from glory to glory.
What is your relationship with your colleagues (Celebrity Photographers)?
I am a reserved person of sort, and I don’t see my colleagues as competitors, rather I see them as friends. I relate well with them but I get pissed-off when they see me as a competitor, because that is where enmity starts from. If we relate as colleagues and not competitors, we will all function well. Though we don’t have an association per say, but I will say I enjoy a cordial relationship with them.
Basically, Ty Bello is one of my mentors. The fact that she is a lady and I love her work so much, places her on my mentors list. Again, I love George Okro. In terms of pictures taken, I love Ty Bello’s jobs, and when you talk about wedding pictures, give it to George Okro. They are my mentors in this profession. Jide Odukola is another personality I cherish in this industry. These three personalities are those I look up to in the industry.
What inspires your kind of shoot?
You see, inspiration has to come from passion, “If you don’t have passion for something, you can’t be inspired”, my passion for photography inspires me in every of my shoots. More so, I create non- existing things from existing things. When I see something, I want to create it, so I will apply the 14 cards of the profession to it. Again, if you are able to think well, you can create a lot of imaginary things. Sometimes, I create things from my immediate environment and what I see. Also, my early morning thoughts do help me in bringing things to existence, sometimes we virtualize things that I can do, and creativity comes from there. A times we organize shoot and create things from within. I will say passion has brought out the creativity in me.
You seem to be hardworking, how do you unwind?
Wow! If I am not at the studio taking pictures or at events doing what I know how to do best, I will be home watching football highlights, and relaxing with my family.
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