Anuoluwapo Faith Adedeji: The 5-year-old photographer

Anuoluwapo is the first child of Mr. and Mrs. Adedeji from Odo-Otin Local Government of Osun State. She was born on March 11 2014, in Ketu, Lagos.

Anuoluwapo’s adventurous journey into photography began when she was three years old. A trip organised by TravelNextDoor to the Baraccoon Barrack and Point of No Return in Badagry served as the channel through which she discovered her unique talent.

In the same year of her birth, she joined the Beach Samaritans Initiative to be the youngest beach Ambassador.

As the youngest photographer in Nigeria, Anuoluwapo is following in her father’s professional footstep. And since she started, the work has enabled her to meet many dignitaries at the various social events she has attended.

These occasions include the Social Media Week, where she took photographs of the happenings at the events, as well as posed for pictures with Mr. Obi Asikia and Mr. Tom Davies, among others.

She was also at IREP Film Festival, where she had pictures with Mr. Tunde Kelani of Opomulero Productions and Professor Wole Soyinka.

At other events, she took pictures with writer/tour guide/journalist and CNN Award winner of multichoice tourism journalist, Mr. Pelu Awofeso, Mrs. Funmi Ilori of IREAD Mobile Library and Madam Nike Okundaye of Nike Art Gallery.

Narrating how it all started she said: “My parents told me that I was first introduced to camera by my dad when I was four months old in Ikotun, a Lagos suburb. Subsequently, my dad started taking me with him whenever he had to cover events. That was how I developed interest in photography. My motivation grew from watching my father who is passionate about photography. The motivation also led me to always document all activities around me.”

Does she have a camera of her own?
“No, I don’t have my own camera. Indeed, that is one of my major challenges. I share a camera with my dad, which creates some friction, as we often have different events to cover at the same time. When this happens, I am affected, as I’m unable to attend my own events.”

Does she have any role model in the industry?
Yes, she does.

“My role model is TY Bello in Nigeria and @hawkeyehuey in the United States.

“The major problem I’m solving is to preserve history through photographs and to reposition people’s minds to be creative and productive, instead of engaging in fruitless and time-wasting ventures.

What is her dream, with regards to her gift?
“My Vision is to be a change agent that transforms children and parents’ mind.

What is her advice to other kids?
“My advice is in line with a statement made by a guest, Mrs. Bukola Karounwi, an Art lecturer with Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu during my first exhibition at CRIMMD Library, Idimu, when she said: “Parents should please learn and encourage their children to follow their hearts and go for whatever they are passionate about. This brings out the best in them at all time.”
Below are my social media contacts:
IG @anufotogirl
Twitter @anugotogirl.