Arts & Culture
[IN-CONVERSATION] Kay Studios, the Young Ghanaian Photographer Shaping Perspectives And Capturing Emotions through His Lens
I was thinking the other day about the life of a photographer. At first glance, it seems like a wonderful thing. Imagine spending your time traveling the world, creating beautiful artwork that is admired by all. Unfortunately, however, this dream is often just as impossible as it sounds. This doesn’t mean that you can’t be a successful photographer — on the contrary, it means that in order to be a successful photographer, you’ll need to deal with a variety of problems.
Especially in Ghana where being an entrepreneur doesn’t look lucrative, young Ghanaians who venture in to sole proprietorship in informal economy are exposed a legion of difficulties, with one of them being their vulnerability (inadequate finance). I had an insightful conversation, with Kay Studios; A&R Consultant @kvonlinetalent Creative director, Film maker and Official videographer for Stonebwoy & Bisa Kdei, which focused on his career as a photographer, challenges and where he wants to reach in the arts economy.
The Accra-based photographer who has been increasingly shaping perspectives, changing narratives, capturing emotions through his lens and leaving long lasting memories on the mind of his patrons and consumers, including musicians and brands. With an impressive portfolio, consisting of works of Stonebwoy, Bisa KDei, Fameye, Medikal, Gyakie, Ice Prince Zamani, the young creative is considered a professional in the photography industry and has a solid support system that is partly responsible for his current success rate.
Check out the conversation below
1. Briefly describe your background as a creative person and what led you to become a photographer? Better still, how did you first get into photography?
“My name is Ebenezer Ofori Donkor popularly
known as KAYSTUDIOS, I got my first degree in Land Economy from Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology, named after the first president of the
Republic of Ghana, formerly Gold Coast. I started my journey into the video
editing and photography world by working with famed photographers, Twinsdntbeg
through which I established and built connection with a lot of influential
people. I pushed him onto the mainstream domain, I have managed to use my
talent very well and has been noticed by the Second Lady of Ghana, Samira
Bawumia, and also known brands like Miss Malaika, Vodafone Ghana Music Awards,
etc.”
2. What moved you to establish “Kay Studios”? What would you say have been some of the challenges that have come with setting up your business? What are also some of the challenges you foresee in terms of keeping it going in the long-term?
“Motivations for wanting to become an
entrepreneur can vary greatly. Common motivators can include escaping the
corporate grind, taking greater advantage of special skill sets, supplementing
income or a strong drive to achieve personal or financial success. But as
spiritual as I am and how quick I found the purpose for my life, I only wanted
to be remembered as one who has been needful to mankind and impactful and this
was the platform for me to help everyone one I’m
Meeting and the passion for the camera pushed me
to start my Kaystudios business . There hasn’t been any challenges so far
setting up , if serving and working hard is a challenge then that’s my only
challenge be cause I still serve and work very hard as well”
3. As a young photographer living in Ghana, what would you say has been your biggest setback?
“My biggest set back was often
procrastination”
4. How is it that people know a Kay Studio image when they see it? Is this something that’s intentional? How would you explain it?
“Well, I’m sure God’s plan wasn’t regular for me so he need me to be a difference, I have always wanted to be different among other photographers with the intention of making my pictures look different”
5. Every new project you work has a completely different vibe from the previous one. What’s your creative process like and where do you draw your influences from? And, Do you have a favorite project? And why?
“I’m someone whose by God’s blessed with humility, I Love to learn new things, thus far I’m never too big to ask other photographers for Tuition. I see any beautiful piece out there, I proceed to ask how it was achieved, then I learn, add to mine and create magic so everytime I’m learning and creating new stuff. All my works are my favorite and clients favorite because they love the outcome and results of my works everytime and is by grace”
6. Do you ever face any troubles or complications interpreting your ideas and bringing them to life?
“I do find troubles sometimes especially
when I really want it to execute the exact piece of work I have imagined but
lack of resources I sometimes have to improve”
7. You’ve worked with a lot of musicians and brands, including Stonebwoy, Bisa Kdei etc. over the past few years. What does it feel like to be the creative brain behind a great number of album covers and promo shoots? Your experience
“I will say I feel blessed to be a part of
all these big brands it’s jut not a chance but the favor of God and my
preparation met the opportunity so I grapped it . My experience with them has
been amazing and they are big brothers to me, and This relationship has made
both artist built and good working respect and connection”
8. Regarding Stonebwoy, he seemed like a very strong personality, was he picky about how he wanted to be photographed or he allowed you to take full control over the shots and angles?
“With Stonebwoy is always collaboration you know creativity is collaboration so we bring ideas and then execute all the time , and we have a great understanding so I know what he wants to see and how he wants to look we just have our way of communicating for the pictures and visuals”
Connect with Kay Studios below;
Instagram – Kay Studios
Over the weekend, Brooklyn hosted the special pop-up event Burna Comics, which saw Burna Boy‘s comic book world come to life. Hosted at Anyone Comics in Brooklyn, attendees were able to browse and grab limited editions Burna Boy comics, merchandise, and food, as well as enter a chance to win tickets to Burna’s next concert in NYC. The event was free and followed health guidelines.
If you remember, Burna Boy’s latest album Twice As Tall came accompanied by a comic book to “put the project in perspective abs some insight into the album title and why I chose it,” the artist mentioned. Well, Burna and the team at Audiomack helped that come true IRL.
Speaking about the Burna Comics event, the Nigerian star mentioned: “The best part about creating a project is the idea of your listeners being able to engage with it! I haven’t been on tour in months so I’m excited for my fans to have a chance to engage with my art! I feel blessed!”
Check out pictures from the Burna Comics x Audiomack event in NYC below.
Photo via Audiomack/Purple Agency PR.
Source: okayafrica
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