From Sales Rep to Master of the lens: Onah’s inspiring rise in male-dominated photography industry

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but for Victoria Onah, her photographs speak volumes. From her humble beginnings as a sales rep in a Minna photo studio to becoming a renowned photographer, she has harnessed her unique style to capture the essence of life itself. ASHENEWS delves into her extraordinary story.

ASHENEWS: How did you first become interested in photography, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career? 

Victoria: Seeing photography as a man-dominated world, I told myself, Victoria, you might be a woman but you can make a difference and that was how I started. 

ASHENEWS:  Can you tell us about your journey as a female photographer in Minna? How did you start, and how have you grown over the years?

Victoria:  I started as a Sales rep in a photo studio in Minna. I started with taking passports and because I was the only lady among the guys, they gave me this special attention. From taking of passport, I was promoted to a photographer and today, here we are, I am a professional photographer

ASHENEWS: What sets your photography style apart from others in the industry, and how would you describe your signature style?  

Victoria: My photographs and images speak more of reality in life; my style of photography goes beyond just snapping an image. It shows the reality of life itself and passes the message. Most photographers in the industry just focus on the images and forget the messages the particular photograph should be giving.

ASHENEWS: Could you share some of the notable challenges you’ve encountered on your path to success as a photographer, particularly as a female in a male-dominated industry? 

Victoria: Being a lady in the industry, especially in the Northern part of the country is not easy, and has not been easy. This is because, to them, it is a man-dominated world and kind of a job to which a lady is not supposed to be seen doing it.

They will be like how can a lady be seen among so many men? I get this type of attitude that says, “She is a woman and she doesn’t deserve this contract”.

 Secondly, I experience sexual harassment a lot from men. Some will want me to have something to do with them sexually before a contract is given to me even when they know I am capable of handling the contract that I am proposing for. 

ASHENEWS: What strategies have you employed to overcome these challenges, and what advice would you offer to aspiring female photographers facing similar obstacles? 

Victoria: The strategies I have employed to overcome these challenges are to be focused and determined. I have told myself, “Victoria Onah, be focused and determined” and so far, that is what I have held on to.

For aspiring female photographers, I will advise them not to let anyone look down on them; believe in themselves and stand firm. When you are holding the camera, you are in control of that particular moment, so hold on to the camera, always be in control and believe in yourself. 

ASHENEWS: Several people in Minna now know about you and I believe they will be calling you to patronize your work. What elements or themes do you believe attract them to your photography?

Victoria: Everyone can be a photographer but your style can make you outstanding among the rest of the photographers. My style of photography is really different from the rest of the photographers in Minna and Niger state.

ASHENEWS: Can you share a memorable experience or project that has shaped your photography career and helped you gain recognition in Minna?

Victoria: One of the projects I have done is the Kontagora experience. That particular project was tagged the Kontagora experience and it went viral.

ASHENEWS: How do you navigate the competitive photography market in Minna, and how do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in the industry?

Victoria: In the photography business, you have to go out of the box and create new ideas, create what others do not create and that’s where my style comes in. I create life stories with photographs. 

Around Minna, you hardly see a photographer who creates life stories, life-happening stories. All they create is the image but no message. 

Most times, I go out into the streets and markets just to keep up with the latest trends in the industry.

ASHENEWS: Are there any photographers, mentors, or role models whom you admire or who have had a significant influence on your work? 

Victoria: Yes, Ami Vitale. She is an American photojournalist and documentary filmmaker. I love her style of photography so much. 

ASHENEWS: In your opinion, what role does photography play in capturing the essence of Minna, its culture, and its people? How do you aim to represent the city through your work? 

Victoria: Photography speaks different kinds of languages, it depends on the capture. 

Minna is a beautiful City that speaks its beauty and its own language through the photographs. When the lens captures the moment, it represents the City and the capture brings out the messages. 

ASHENEWS: How do you handle creative blocks or moments of self-doubt as a photographer, and what strategies do you use to reignite your passion and inspiration?

Victoria: In handling creative blocks, I need to think out of the box. There are moments I just feel empty and self-doubts and all I need to do is pick up my camera, take a walk, play around with some of the kids in the streets and before I know it, I get more inspiration and become my confident self again.

ASHENEWS: How important are social media and online platforms for your photography business, and how do you utilize these platforms to showcase your work to a wider audience? 

Victoria: Social media is 99 per cent important to me and my business. I made 80 per cent of my clients from social media.  

When you go online, 90 per cent of my work is on different social media platforms. I am still working on going higher on my social media platforms because that’s where the real deal comes from. 

ASHENEWS: Can you recall a particularly challenging or daring photoshoot or assignment you undertook, and how did you manage to overcome obstacles during that project? 

Victoria: The most challenging project so far that I have experienced was the project I tagged Kontagora experience. 

At that period, there were so many cases of people being taken by the bandits from their villages and I had to pass through these villages to get to my location.

Omo!! It wasn’t easy for me at all but I needed the story, so I remained focused and God made it possible. 

ASHENEWS: Looking ahead, what are your future goals and aspirations as a photographer in Minna? Do you have any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re excited about? 

Victoria: My future goal is to be one of the best female photographers in the world, not only in Minna city, despite the fact most people see it as a man-dominated world kind of work.

My upcoming project is one that I cannot disclose for now but it is something I am working very hard on and I am super excited about working on it because it will blow the minds of people especially when it is coming from a female photographer.