Akolade’s journey into photography took several turns and bends. He began as a Creative Arts teacher in a secondary school, later set up his photography studio as a side job. After some time, he stepped away from the studio and teaching for a full-time role as a video editor at Galaxy Television, both in Lagos and Ibadan, before ultimately returning to the photography studio full-time.
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Joshua Adeniyi Akolade’s photo journey began in his junior secondary school days, when he started showing more than a passive interest in Fine Arts.
More than any other subject, Fine Arts received priority. After his routine lessons in class at the Lagos State Technical School in Agindigbi, Lagos State, Akolade would take private lessons on the subject from another tutor.
“If I finished from the normal class with the teacher who was into drawing, painting, and sculpture, after closing time, I would go to the one that was into screen painting, printing, and all that,” he told TheNiche.
His dedication deepened at Lagos State Polytechnic, where he formally studied Arts and Designs, solidifying his command of the craft. Not done with learning, Akolade enrolled in a computer school to learn CorelDRAW, which was, at the time, the main editing application for graphics design.
By the time he landed his first job as a creative arts teacher where he handled at least three schools on part time engagement, visual design had truly become second nature.
Today, as the creative director of Prophoj Focus, Akolade leverages sophisticated photography equipment, including a drone to offer diverse visual services.
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The beginning
Akolade’s journey into photography took several turns and bends. He began as a Creative Arts teacher in a secondary school, later set up his photography studio as a side job. After some time, he stepped away from the studio and teaching for a full-time role as a video editor at Galaxy Television, both in Lagos and Ibadan, before ultimately returning to the photography studio full-time.
The seed for Prophoj Focus Photography studio was planted in 2004 during his teaching job as a creative arts teacher. As a Creative Arts teacher whose job demanded teaching students some form of designing by using photography and illustration, Akolade bought his first camera.
He told TheNiche how that happened. “I was teaching creative arts, or what you call cultural arts. I was managing almost three schools. So, photography started as part of getting my work done better, because I was also into designing. And in getting my work done perfectly, I added photography as part of it to get that good image.”
Akolade is not a man who wants to have things done halfway. He believes that if it is worth doing, it must be done to standards. So, in teaching students creative design, he wanted to snap real image, show the students how it could be used to enhance the beauty of a poster or banner.
His employer had a camera, and he wanted to borrow it to impart the practical of the skill to his students. But his employer refused to loan him the camera.
He explained why she might have declined: “I think it was because of the money she spent on the camera. She felt I might spoil it.” Akolade later found out that he could afford the camera. “I got to find out from one magazine that the same camera she was protecting, I could afford it.”
With N15,000, he bought his first camera. Not satisfied with its quality, he later acquired a more professional camera. And by 2010, he set up his photo studio at the Aruna area of Ogba, Lagos State, combining it with his teaching job. That assured him of his financial security.
Quest for more experience
By 2013, Akolade made a significant career shift. He left his teaching position and put his studio work on hold to accept a full-time role as a video and graphics editor at Galaxy Television. This move, however, came with a financial downgrade, as he traded the combined income from his three part-time teaching roles for a single, lower-paying full-time salary.
“My income from the three schools had risen to N70,000 as part part-time teacher. But I left everything to go and collect N40,000 at Galaxy. And I had to be going to FESTAC Town from Ogba every day, including Saturdays,” he said.
For Akolade, the move was aimed at skilling up his art, and he said it paid off because at Galaxy Television, he quickly acquired the fundamental skills of video editing. “I learned audio, learned about light, positioning and installing light, even directing.”
Not long afterwards, he started taking bigger responsibilities. Among his works was at Galaxy Television was handling ‘Unmask,’ a programme showing behind the scenes of musical videos. He also handled the behind-the-scenes of a Yoruba movie, ‘Lani Osori’.
Akolade was also saddled with the responsibility of handling ‘Campus 360, a television programme showing happenings in different campuses, and ‘Style 411,’ a fashion show.
By 2016, Akolade left Galaxy Television to fully focus on his studio. “I resigned from Galaxy Television honourably. And I thank God because I left there without any stain on my reputation,” he said.
At Prophoj Focus, Akolade says he brought the skills acquired at Galaxy Television to his work, prioritising customers’ feedbacks. “When I design, make videos or when I snap pictures for you, I want to know your feedback. When there’s any comment or complaint, I will adjust.”
Flying drone
Akolade’s passion for knowledge of photography has opened another vista for him – flying of drones. After learning about drone and how to fly them, he bought one.
He has flown drone at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, an uncommon feat because it is a restrictive area for drones, and only persons with certified knowledge of drones are allowed to do so. “Before I did that flight, they knew that I was able to handle it,” he recalled.
Akolade is a member of Drone Nigeria and Drone for Good. The two groups are recognized by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). He also has FAA certification to fly drones in the United States as a recreation pilot.
Japa
Akolade isn’t thinking of japa. He says travelling abroad will only be for holiday, or shopping for photography gadgets.
“I have three of my siblings abroad, one in Vietnam, another in London, another one in Dubai. If I tell three of them to gather money together for me to travel also, I can raise the money. But I believe there is a potential of making it in Nigeria. If you work hard enough, you will have all the things you are aspiring to get abroad,” he said.
About Akolade
Akolade is an award-winning creative director and certified drone pilot, widely recognized for his exceptional contributions to visual storytelling and photography innovation. He is the founder and lead visual artist at Prophoj Focus Photography, a versatile photography and media brand known for delivering high-quality imagery across various genres.
Prophoj Focus specializes in event photography, professional video coverage, studio and on-location shoots, aerial photography for construction progress reports, and real estate documentation. The studio also offers photography consultancy and hands-on training for aspiring creatives, reflecting Akolade’s commitment to mentoring the next generation of visual professionals.
