Featured Photographer - Jide Kola

My name is Jide Kola - too old to be a 90's kid and too young to be from the 80’s. My early childhood was me being a young visual artist and late teenage years, a Software developer, so I guess the urge to create has always been there. I fell in love with weddings from the start – the love, emotions, beauty, rush, the food and... Aha! The party. As a wedding photographer, I get to exhibit many other genres (Portrait, Documentary, Lifestyle, Landscape, Product - it’s endless).

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY?

Would really have loved to say to you that I was born with photography and created for cameras but that’s a fat, fat lie! It was in late 2014, a photographer friend of mine (friends since elementary school) had his second shooter cancel on him last minute. He had billed the client for 2 photographers and had no alternative, so he called me as a prop to fill in the spot, hung a camera on my neck and asked me to move around acting like I’m taking pictures. It was such a fun experience (although he deleted all the images I shot that day) and that ignited my passion to become a photographer. Mentoring sessions, conferences, masterclasses, Fearless Awards, All African Awards and Publications later - We have this Jidekola.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?

I’m that guy with a camera that shoots about anything I see anywhere and anyhow… Just keep the memory! I like to see myself as a journalist telling stories with light, scenery and colour.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN AN IMAGE?

I want to feel an image. Looking at an image should make you find yourself in that moment, the circumstance, the location and relate directly as if you are currently there.

WHAT INSPIRES OR MOTIVATES YOU?

Music… soft stringed African folk music. It opens up my mind and makes me wander into the world of possibilities. I would listen to Asa (A Nigerian musician) on 13 hour flights; the lyrics, the progressions, the percussion, all speak to me. I always have my ear plugged in to Asa when shooting. I also have a mentor, motivator, friend and brother - Jide Alakija. He is simply special and I can’t talk about my photography without mentioning him … although I run away from his whip sometimes. Haha! I am also greatly motivated by my community of creatives - my very close friends, CASA, TheNowCollectives, Unabashed Africa.

WHAT CHALLENGES YOU?

My daughter… since we had her, I have found myself being challenged to do more and love more. I want her to grow up being proud of the father I am to her. I’m also greatly challenged by my love for Africa and my drive to ensure we are seen for the wonder we truly are and not just the media stereotypes. And that’s why I love to shoot the beauty that Africa is every time I get the chance

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT OF A WEDDING?

I would pay just to listen to heartfelt vows and the responsive emotions from the couple and their family members. Those are priceless to me, and I am often teary eyed during those moments.

ANYTHING ELSE WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT JIDE?

I never make a purchase without price haggling, bargaining, or picking up a deal/clearance - Guess it's the Nigerian in me

TELL US ABOUT DVLOP

DVLOP Presets are the racing wheels attached to my slow paced feet and has greatly accelerated my workflow. You know they say "good things take time”; I would spend forever tweaking sliders - never again! With DVLOP, it’s done once and for all. Take all that iteration and repetition into one simple customisable click of a button - Now that’s automation!