#bisialawode

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It's possible to be versatile. Interview with Bisi Alawode (part two)

What was the reason you decided to become a full-time photographer?

Becoming full-time photographer was more of my dream, when I was continuing my photography and started reading autobiographies, I realise that it's possible to be versatile. What I mean by that is that now it is possible to be more than one-way traffic. I read a lot of biographies of people and there was some person who was an architect, engineer and doctor just one single person. It means our brain is able to do so many things and can achieve success in all of them. So, I wanted more for myself. I wanted to focus on photography exploring all the possibilities there and at the same time been able to diversify into other areas. Because it makes me realise, that human's ability is endless. As long as you are able to sit down and focus on one thing you could achieve and become best in. So, for me to become a full-time photographer is just to explore one of my abilities and excel in that area. Mostly, I do wedding photography, but I am versatile enough to do other things. And that is one of the benefits of studying Digital Photography at Lambton College, I was able to learn different aspects of photography and I was able to showcase what I can create in different scenarios.

  Why you choose Canada for photography education?

I always wanted to come to Canada. I think Canada embodies my personal values as a person. Canada is a very strong nation that is very shy. This beautiful country has so many resources and so much potential and Canada have power under control and that is one of the reasons I choose Canada for studying photography.

How did Digital Photography Program at Lambton College help you to archive your goals in photography?

One big thing for me was the closeness of the class, the relationship I developed in the Digital Photography program and also the experiences of the professors, which helped me to become who I am today and I am always thankful to them. 

Do you think any specific area you should have paid attention to, while you were in college?

Maybe, web design will be that area I should have paid attention, But I got too much busy with other things. Just because I am someone who does not like sitting. I am always looking for new opportunities the affects the people around me. I should have learned web design, but at one point I lose the interest but no excuses.

Who influences/inspire you the most in photography? / Do you have a mentor?

Yes, I do have a mentor, I realise that mentorship is usually depended on in which area you want to grow. Then you could have a mentor in photography or mentor in life. Richard Beland is my mentor in photography and in life, my mentor is someone I look up to and speak to is my paster back in Nigeria. I am very close with him now and I travelled to Chicago from Sarnia three months ago to see him.

[raspalphotography]

I am someone who sees a photograph as a sentence. - Interview with Bisi Alawode (part one)

We got the chance to interview Bisi Alawode from Bisi Alawode Photography, from South Western Ontario. Bisi is a recent graduate from Digital Photography Program at Lambton College. Bisi was awarded top 30 under 30 wedding photographers in Canada in 2016. Check Bisi's latest work on Instagram.

Bisi loves photographing people. He loves to create images that tell a story and stir up emotions. Bisi says the reality comes to bear when I photograph weddings. I approach each wedding with a unique perspective, aiming to capture the love, joy and energy that is shared on this day. I see my role as not just the photographer at your wedding but also a friend who is entrusted with creating images that reflect the pure emotion of love on your wedding day. Bisi Alawode said my goal is to create images that are not just a piece of paper on your table or wall but a treasure of the heart, mind and body.

Below are the brief responses from Bisi Alawode on the questionnaire from the interview: -

Who is your favourite entertainer?

My Son (no doubts)

Who do you most admire and why?

My wife, I admire my wife a lot. She has seen me when I look so crude and not very refined. She is someone who believed in me and want to walk through life with me. On the stage it really takes sustained power to do that, I really admire my wife a lot.

What book has impacted you the most?

- The book? WOW there are whole lot of books, and I read a lot. Since last few months, I am not reading very well so, what I did is I downloaded the app on my phone called "Auto books". Some of the books that have really touched me so much One of the books is "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren really impacted me. There is another book also from a Nigerian paster " Discovering the destiny" It helped me to really push through my passion over photography after reading the book. There is some other books that really impacted me as a person, I have tons of books at home I can't really pin point to one, but I have several books I have read over the course of the years that have really impacted me. I like reading autobiographies also and stories of people.

How do you relax?

How do I relax? Oh , I watch movies yes that's what I do. Yeah, I loving watching movies I would have said I play game but I don't very frequently because I do have a PS3 Which I don't even touch. But I love watching good movies that are intelligent and make you appreciate the work of art and creativity of some people.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

hahaha, let me think about it. I remember a moment it was not embarrassing, but it's funny because it was three of us. So, I was doing the shoot one day here at Lambton College and I was taking photos of someone posing for me and I was moving back. There was a pond, that was close to me, and I fell into it. Yes, I fell into the pond and I kept shooting for the next 2 hours. That could be embarrassing but I just find it was funny becausem I was so into the shoot I was doing and I wasn't conscious what is around me.

What career would you opt for if you could do anything else?

As I said earlier, that I love reading autobiographies. I have read some autobiographies that make me realize how versatile people can be. So, I probably would be the teacher and I love working with the people. Therefore I would be doing something that is related with the people. I think I would have been in the education department. I love to connect with people and help them.

What do you love most about living in Sarnia-Lambton?

Ohhhhh, The beach!!, The small community, and specially the wonderful people. I would not be leaving this community. People come together, they embrace for who you are. They are also ready to learn about your unique culture background. So I love the small community and I love the fact that I can easily travel to the States even though I don't want to go there now. 

Name three things on your bucket list-

I want to go sky diving. My wife doesn't want that.

I want to buy a nice Yamaha R1 or Suzuki I want to drive around.

I want to travel to Australia with my wife and kid.

I want to go scuba diving someday

I want to travel to space and shoot a wedding on the moon.

What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Seriously, I am a shy person. But I don't know how, my wife even finds that amusing that people find I am not shy. I like to work in the background really. And I think that is why I always hide myself behind the camera. I don't want to to be seen like this is the person doing the thing. Recently I got interviewed by the newspaper in Petrolia, ON and they said I should send some pictures of the project I did recently and one of myself, I sent all the pictures of the project but intentionally didn't sent my own picture. Because I do not want to show my face I just want my work go out there. I am a shy person, but people don't see it. Even when I smile I am trying to hide how shy I am.

What local resident has influenced you the most?

Richard Beland, He really motivates me to do some really crazy stuff and yes he helped me as a person to grow my career and also he developed my talents such that I am wanting more. I don't want to settle for less, so I am really inspired by Richard. Whenever I have a story to tell, I go to Richard and I tell him I just achieved that and then Richard tell me another thing and I am like I am just starting out a game. So yeah Richard is one who wants me to do more.

Bisi Alawode Photography

Can you tell us about yourself and your journey towards photography?

That is a very good question. My journey started in 2004. I was in university studying electrical engineering. It was an open field and there was a beautiful landscape behind us and I got my friend's phone and took a picture and I was like WOW, It wasn't just the scenery, there were some words that jumped at me. And because I am someone who sees a photograph as a sentence. When I see a photograph, I want to make a complete sense out of this photograph. Then I started seeing photographs as I walked around like scenery and it opened up to me, like they are speaking to me. 

Check back tomorrow for the following half interview with Bisi's journey into photography.