Ever since I started studying design, I have always wanted to pursue photography. I had taken a few good shots here and there. They all seem to be spur of the moment shots which looked fantastic. But I was keen on learning the technicalities of photography and shooting themes. So I enrolled in Photography as an elective at Uni. This photography course making be go old school! Before digital cameras and automatic rewindable cameras were invented. I purchased a barely used Canon AE-1 for a bargain on ebay and nearly collapsed when a camera repairer told me that it would cost me double the camera’s value to repair it. Of course he just wanted to cash in on my naivety. I hassled 3 other camera experts for a diagnosis about my camera, and they all said nothing was wrong with it! Inserting the costly film was a NIGHTMARE, setting the aperture was confusing and rewinding the film seemed to be the easiest part. Besides this, we were shooting in black and white then manually processing and developing the film. Then printing countless of tests strips onto photo paper which is the value of the average student’s life savings (No exaggeration here. It’s very expensive)
The first roll I processed was a disaster. I was starting to dislike photography. This was only after the 2nd week. I wasn’t ready to quit. I was just hanging in there hoping for better days.
Then I found inspiration in…….
Edem Dokli.
A buddying model
My friend
And most importantly MY MUSE!
I called her up one day and asked if she was willing do a couple of shots with me for my photography project. She jumped right at the offer. Mind you, when I got to her house at 7am as planned, she had just woken up! Despite the late start, she made me love photography again. I am a bit bias because she is my friend, but she is a great model. I had no idea how to direct a photo shoot. But this girl knows how to make a photo work! She makes it look effortless. I tell her that she is the up and coming ‘African’ Agyness Dearn with a small spec of a Grace Jones’ attitude! Edem has a cool ‘IT’ girl element about her. She’s the cool chick at the party you want to be friends with but don’t know how to talk to her. And she is the kind of girl who spots you across the room and approaches you first for a friendly chat.
She’s changes her hairstyle more than I buy watches and bangles (I have an obsession with watches and bangles). And she walks in a bubble of daringness! You never know what to expect from her. She exemplifies the new definition of ‘FRESH’. Her fashion style is her persona. And she rocks it well! She’s got SWAG!
This is just a a preview of Edem. There is more to come to of her! I keep telling her that when she starts gracing magazines and runaways around the globe, she shouldn’t forget me!
The shots below are from a recent shoot with a photographer friend of hers.
If there is a photographer or designer in Australia on the lookout for a FRESH model, flick me an email. Edem is your girl!!!
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