Jokotade Shonowo is a visionary portrait photographer and creative entrepreneur dedicated to transforming how people see themselves. As the founder of PoshClick Portraiture, she has spent over 14 years crafting elegant, timeless portraits that go beyond photography, creating immersive experiences of self-discovery and reinvention. Beyond her work behind the camera, she is dedicated to empowering young creatives through photography and entrepreneurship education. Her commitment to storytelling extends to In My Corner, a campaign she co-founded to celebrate the beauty of women’s relationships through powerful imagery. In this interview, she speaks on redefining modern portrait photography, creating visual narratives that inspire and endure.
What does Womanhood mean to you now, compared to when you first started your journey as a photographer?
To be a woman is to live in the vastness of roles, emotions, and possibilities. We juggle dreams, responsibilities, and identities all at once; and somehow make it look graceful. When I started photography at 23, I was just a bright-eyed girl fresh out of university, curious and determined to find my path. I didn’t fully know who I was, but I wanted to unravel the beauty God created, capture it and build a life that mattered. Sixteen years later, womanhood feels softer yet stronger, grounded yet ever-evolving. Photography has mirrored that journey for me; the same way light reveals depth in a portrait, life has revealed several layers within me. I’ve learned that becoming isn’t a straight line; it’s filled with gentle awakenings and quiet unlearning. Now, womanhood feels like peace; knowing who I am, embracing imperfection, leading with purpose, and nurturing from a place of wholeness. If my 23-year-old self was chasing potential, my 39-year-old self is living in purpose. And I’m grateful to still be evolving.
How has the process of building your career and raising a family shaped your understanding of yourself as a woman?
Building my career while raising a family has stretched and shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. Photography, especially when I started, was often seen as a man’s job; long hours, heavy gear, late nights, and the technical demands that came with it. As a woman, this sometimes-meant missing bedtime routines or school pick-ups. It wasn’t always easy. I’ve learned to lean deeply on my support system – people who help hold the fort when I’m out building dreams. Learning the art of delegation has been a game changer too. I’ve learned to identify what truly needs me, and what can be entrusted to others. That balance has given me freedom; the space and wings to birth ideas, grow my business, and still be present for the people I love. It has taught me that womanhood isn’t about doing it all at once, but about doing what matters most, well.
Share with us the story behind, In My Corner. What moment or realisation sparked it for you?
In My Corner was born in 2019 during a season of introspection. As I reflected on my journey, I realized how deeply women had shaped it; through belief, support, and opportunities that quietly redirected my path. That realization inspired me to celebrate the power of female friendship and associations; the kind that nurtures, uplifts, and anchors purpose.
Whenever I heard the narrative that women don’t support one another, it never resonated with me because that wasn’t my experience. I had seen the opposite; women showing up, standing tall, and cheering one another on. And I wanted to tell those stories. In 2021, I met Ivie through a mutual friend, and our instant connection over photography and shared experiences of sisterhood amplified the “In My Corner” vision. Together, we forged a creative partnership to tell authentic stories of women showing up for one another; unapologetically and beautifully.
You’ve often spoken about the women who’ve supported you. How have these relationships influenced your creativity and outlook on life?
The women who have supported me hold a very special place in my heart and I never take them or the access for granted. Their belief in me has shaped not only my journey but also how I show up for others. It’s made me more intentional about looking out for women and extending the same grace I’ve received so generously. I’ve come to truly understand that women take care of one another. There’s a unique kind of magic that happens when women gather, whether in friendship, collaboration, or community. Wherever you find a room full of women, you’ll find a marketplace. If you’re ever stuck or trying to get back on your feet, find that room; they’ll cheer you on, buy from you, and tell the world about you, as long as you’re diligent at your craft. That’s the beauty of sisterhood; it multiplies what you give and gives back more than you could ever imagine.
In a world where digital connections often replace real ones, what does true sisterhood look like to you?
Sisterhood, to me, is that sacred space where you are safe not judged, not reduced; but accepted wholly and completely as you are. It’s the place where you can fall apart, be real, and find the strength to rise again. It’s where realignment happens, and from that, the powerhouses you see shattering glass ceilings are born. From prayers to pep talks, deep conversations to laughter through tears; we become each other’s sounding boards, cheerleaders, therapists, and even gentle scolders when needed. Sisterhood is home. It’s where I can bare my heart without fear, knowing I’ll come out with a clearer perspective and a fuller heart. I honestly don’t know how people do life without it; because for me, sisterhood is not just connection; it’s survival, it’s strength, it’s soul care.
You’ve built a reputation for capturing women in their most authentic light. What drives your creative eye when photographing women?
What drives my creative eye when photographing women is connection. I don’t just want to create a beautiful image; I want to reveal truth the parts of her that are often unseen or forgotten. As a woman, I understand firsthand the struggles women have with their bodies and self-image. I carry that empathy into every session and wield it as a creative tool to curate images that restore confidence and reflect the beauty that has always been there. My camera becomes a mirror one that reflects strength, softness, and soul. I’m drawn to emotion, to the quiet moments between poses the ones that whisper, “This is me.” Each session is intuitive; I listen, observe, and let her essence lead, because authenticity matters, even as we evolve through seasons. What fulfills me most is when she looks at her portrait and says, “That’s really me,” or “That’s how I’ve always seen myself in my mind’s eye.” That moment of recognition; seeing her elevated self clearly; is what drives everything I create.
What do you hope women feel when they see themselves through your lens?
I want women to see all the beauty that God has intricately embedded within them — unfolding with every encounter with my lens. My deepest hope is that each portrait reminds them of who they are in Him: powerful, radiant, and whole. I want them to walk away with a renewed sense of self – a heightened confidence that makes them feel ready to shine unapologetically, take up space, and fully embody all that God has called them to be. Above all, I want them to feel more beautiful, more powerful, and more grounded than when they first stepped in front of my lens.
As a woman of faith and creativity, what lessons has life taught you about surrender, patience, and purpose?
Life has taught me that surrender isn’t giving up — it’s growing up. It’s the point where i fully trust that God’s plan is better, even when i don’t have the full picture. Every time I’ve loosened my grip, something far more beautiful has unfolded. Patience, on the other hand, has been my most humbling teacher. It’s taught me that waiting isn’t idle; it’s active faith, the quiet work God does in us while we think nothing is happening. And purpose – purpose is not a destination. It’s a journey of becoming, unfolding layer by layer. For me, it’s less about chasing one big moment and more about being faithful in every small one — knowing that each act of obedience, creativity, or kindness adds up to something eternal. Together, surrender, patience, and purpose have anchored me — shaping not just my art, but who I’m becoming.
Finally, if you could leave women with one message about friendship, what would it be?
If I could leave women with one message about friendship, it would be this: protect it, nurture it, and be intentional about it. True friendship is sacred; it’s not built on proximity or perfection, but on presence, grace, and honesty. Friendship is that soft place where we can exhale; where we’re seen, loved, and reminded that we’re not alone in our becoming. It’s where correction and celebration can coexist, where prayer and laughter share the same table. We need one another. So, choose your circle with discernment, pour into it with love, and never forget that sisterhood is both a gift and a responsibility.
