Authenticity and Everyday Situations

Photography By Farid Ibrahim Daba

Portrait and fashion photographer Farid Ibrahim Daba opens up about the importance of asking for advice, window shopping, and creating a fun vibe on set.

Abuja, Nigeria

How did your photography journey begin?

My journey into art emanated from my love for drawing, one of the oldest forms of human expression within the visual arts.

I grew up watching my brother draw.

I have always admired seeing people create, so making my own art has been my dream.

Mid 2017, I was going through a friend’s phone and I saw some pictures, they were attractive so I asked him about them and he told me he created them. I was impressed and I asked him how he started and he said he used phone.... that day I made up my mind to start creating mine.

I kept shooting, trying documentary and landscape photography.

I stopped at some point because of school....until my friends started reaching out, telling me they love my pictures. A friend of mine also told me that he came across some guys that used my picture as their phone wallpaper. That day I promised never to stop.

2020, during the lockdown, I took a big step in making advance in my photo skills and since then i’ve been learning and improving.

What are the things you’ve learned along the way? How have you grown?

I have learned a lot through constant research. I sleep late at night, going through Instagram, searching for good artists and I always make sure I ask questions. Most of them help me one way or another. I ask questions about what I want to learn and some recommends youtube channels for me.

I also spend a lot of time watching youtube videos. I discover different artists through that and I also spend time with my friends practicing. Also, I make sure I understand how to control my camera settings.

Networking made me grow and it boosted my confidence.

I started associating myself with a lot of people (content creators, Models, Brand owners).

Talking about niche I shoot fashion, portraits, and editorial; that style of my photography makes me feel comfortable and happy because I shoot everyday.

Regardless of what my model/client has in his/her closet we find a way to style it and get what we want. I have thought of switching my niche because most people in my environment are not used to it and I’m not making enough but I thought about it and I am not bothered because I know the right opportunity will come to me at the right time, so I’m staying true to myself and I am creating with the noise and ideas in my head.

How would you describe your style? what makes it unique?

My style is devoted to displaying clothes and other fashion items, which involves shooting models wearing clothes in authentic locations and in everyday situations.

What makes my style unique are my ideas and editing. I think my color grading is special and how I direct my model/client to pose is weird and cool which makes everyone around ask if I am from the Western part of Nigeria because fashion photography is a trend there and not in the North but I stay in the North and I am exploring it which makes my style unique.

Tell the story behind one of your images.

There is a piece I created on the 30th of May, 2021. I call it ‘Window Shopping’. It was a struggle but I am glad it was a success.

I was in class when the idea came to my mind I figured no one around my environment has created anything in a shopping mall, I decided go for it.

I talked to my close friend who is also a model I told her about the idea and we chose the outfit and decided to go for it.

They denied us entry to the first mall,

It was a struggle we couldn’t reschedule because we had plans.

Had to promise to get somethings from the mall if they can just allow us to shoot but it was all in vain. We had to change location, so we moved to the second mall , I went directly to the manager.... we discussed and came to an agreement that we must patronize them. We proceeded and a worker was assigned to assist us. It was fun. We wrapped up, bought few things and left.

What has been your greatest struggle as an artist?

As an artist I have gone through a-lot which makes me feel discouraged, like the gears I’m lacking.

Once I shoot a video and it doesn’t come out the way I want, I begin to think about a particular gear that would make it better. It makes me overthink but I still have to push regardless. Also, one of my most difficult time was when my laptop crashed. It was big struggle for me because I couldn’t create for sometime. I still remember the feeling, when I got it fixed it was really amazing.

As a portrait photographer, what are some important things to do when working with a subject?

The most important thing to do when working is to make your model /client feel comfortable, you should smile and have fun. Most of my shoots are like very fun, you see everyone on set full of vibe and energy because it’s not all about me....once they are on set with me it’s all about them. I make sure they are comfortable, I play music so we can all vibe. Also, my models/clients can play from their playlists.

I love seeing everyone happy on set.

What’s next for you?

After graduation my dream is to enroll into film school. I want to go deep into photography and filmmaking i want to work with big clothing brands around the globe and also shoot Hollywood movies.

That is my dream.