Spotlight  

Walter Banks And The Wacko Effect

By Chisom Njoku

10 September 2023   |   9:30 am

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In the ever-evolving landscape of innovation and creativity, certain individuals emerge as out-of-the-box thinkers, reshaping ideas and defying conventional boundaries. Across the continent, there are time-tested creative professionals, but this week, we are turning our spotlight on Walter Banks – a photographer and the creative director behind contemporary image and style of some of afrobeats’…

In the ever-evolving landscape of innovation and creativity, certain individuals emerge as out-of-the-box thinkers, reshaping ideas and defying conventional boundaries.

Across the continent, there are time-tested creative professionals, but this week, we are turning our spotlight on Walter Banks – a photographer and the creative director behind contemporary image and style of some of afrobeats’ finest stars, most notable, Asake.
He sits down with ‘The Guardian Life’ to discuss his craft, his unique eye for detail, and big plans for the future.

How would you describe yourself to someone who’s never heard of you?
Walter Banks is an introvert, a good-natured and persistent young man, who is sociable and adaptable, with a deep sense of worldliness and a passion to create.

What’s your earliest memory of photography?
That was four years ago (2019). I felt like it was time to change the world in my own way and image, doing things that had rarely been done.

Who/what were your early influences growing up and how did they contribute to who you are today?
My early influences were Kendrick Lamar, ASAP Rocky, J Hus & Kanye West. As for Kendrick Lamar, I got carried away by the way he shoots his videos, the different locations, the story in it, the casting, the rage, and the models, it was insane seeing different things going on, it was basically top notch. ASAP Rocky was definitely fashion personified, he had no limit, the dude could basically wear anything and still look so fine, and his accessories everything was just so different. So, these few names I mentioned helped in making me to understand that you can do anything, and create anything without boundaries. There are a million ways to always look good; you just have to listen to yourself.

What would you describe as the ‘eureka moment’ in your career where everything started making sense?
So, my ‘eureka moment’ was when I met TG OMORI, it felt like everything changed, because I had access to these celebrities, cause I always felt like I had easy access to everything, so, I took iconic pictures, and they started believing in my vision, people saw things my way, some would even want me to shoot and style them at the same time.

Can you describe your creative process when shooting photos?
So, when taking my photos, first we have to pick a mood board, also a style reference just to tell the story of the pictures I am taking, we decide if we are going to either shoot in a studio or outdoors, even if it involves studio, I either build a set according to the mood board or I do a vFX [manipulation], which is not real just to make the pictures aesthetically good. Also, we have the editing process; I’m well versed in both photoshop and lightroom.
What has been your experience transitioning from photographer to muse?
My experience transitioning from a photographer to a muse has been so crazy, I have loved taking pictures, and I always love looking fly, so, it was very easy. I felt like I was born for this. Take crazy pictures, and create mood boards for myself, and I have to go extreme, because I see myself as a competition.

What inspires your art?
When I was 15, I saw rappers Tupac Shakur and Dr Dre film the music video for their single ‘California Love’. It inspired me so much to start shooting crazy stuff and styling outfits.
What is your dream collaboration and how would that look?
I would love to shoot crazy shots for Kendrick Lamar, style ASAP Rocky, take him under the ocean, and photograph the sickest pictures ever, like I mean the world has to feel it, I also want to collaborate with fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, few crazy brands, I need them to also see through my vision.
What can fans expect from Walter Banks in the future?
Walter Banks is a generation, it is a movement, Walter Banks means WAR, they should expect more sick pictures, crazy videos, sick styling, more and more of Wacko Cause I am not stopping at trying something new, this is who I am.