I see photography as my best way of expressing my thoughts…a more concise way of allowing people to be part of my story and journey.

Words by Sesan Adeniji

Conscientiously, via photography, his ability to transform his muse into quintessential art pieces is extra-ordinary. With the same standard, dedication and flexibility associated with medical practitioners dealings with their subjects and profession, Olaniyan Adeyemi John with the alto-ego name ‘John Prinze‘ delivers photography that suits the character and the yearning of his clients. This lad’s desire to transform his craft with every experiment and his quest to capture images wherever the camera takes him is exemplary.

“I’m a graduated from Lautech as a Med. Physiologist (B. Tech), although not practicing. By passion, I am a photographer, writer and entrepreneur. I had always wanted to be a positive force, although growing I was a very shy person. I didn’t know photography was going to be a thing until my 3rd year in Basic medical school.

Both my parents were medical personnel so it’ll be a good thing to say I was born into it. This kind of had its influence on my career choice because mom was always talking about how nice it would be to be a doctor, so that was what I had In my head growing up.

The initial plan was to apply for medicine and surgery as a course in the university but unfortunately that year, no one was admitted for that course, so we were advised to pick a sister course and I chose Physiology, with the plan to continue my dream of being a suit and tie medical doctor lol.

During my 3rd year in Basic medical school, I lost a brother and almost immediately things started unfolding. It was like I grew up that year. I started seeing life differently and I saw life isn’t really worth living except you do the things you love. I mean what are we here for.

So I made my mind up I was going to find and do the things I am passionate about. Now, the switch was the hard part. I mean how do you convince a mother that her eldest son is going abandon medicine for photography. This is the same mother that takes much joy talking to people how nice it would be to see me with a stethoscope and all that stuffs.

The conventional idea of being a photographer was what everyone had in mind back then. It was hard to see photography as something worthwhile or of prestige. But I made the switch anyway, it was hard, I even had a chance of studying abroad but painfully had to turn it down. I knew I was going do Art and nothing was going stop me. I was arrogant and stubborn.

I had no support at first. It was all me but one thing that drew my attention to photography is the power it gives me to make people feel beautiful. I mean you should see my works. I like the feeling of satisfaction I get when people see my gallery. I love the look on their faces.

I’m an artist. I see photography as my best way of expressing my thoughts, I told you growing up, I was a little bit shy. So I write. I knew I wanted to motivate people but was so shy to stand in front of crowd, so I write. That was then though; I’m handling my shyness maturely now. Lol. So photography to me was a more concise way of allowing people to be part of my story and journey.

Describing my Photography!

Basically I’m a beauty, fashion and lifestyle photographer. That’s what I enjoy doing. I shoot weddings too. I started as a landscape photographer in 2016.

I started photography with my phone, I was in school; that was like all I had and could afford back then. I would go out early during sunrise and late when the sun is setting and I will just shoot colors, lines and compositions. I enjoyed doing that.

How I ended up doing beauty photography was due to the fact that I challenged myself that I was going to explore photography.

So apart from fashion, beauty portraits, weddings, I have explored product photography as well and I’m still exploring. Photography is wide and there is much to learn everyday. You just have to enjoy it.

Well, my journey so far, I made a couple of successes and failures too. You see, passion is like a flame; it can’t be easy on you. You can’t hide it for long if you’re truly true to yourself. It’s an obsession. You don’t feel too good not doing it. Passion makes you restless. You want more. It fuels your curiosity; you want to know more even if it kills you. That was how photography was and is for me.

Although I almost gave up at a point in my career – I was in NYSC orientation camp and unfortunately, all my photography gears and equipment worth millions were carted away by robbers.

I was depressed. Also around that time, I had just lost my relationship too so It was the most devastating moments I have recorded so far. You know the feeling of having to start again and having no idea whatsoever if that will even be possible.

But like they say around here, “something must kill man” the burning desire for photography couldn’t allow me to sleep for long. I was using my money to rent gears and shoot promotional just to keep up appearances online and to make people and clients who thought that was the end of my photography dreams think otherwise. I guess this bold step helped a lot because my growth was exponential. Fortunately for me, I was able to connect with some renowned forces in the industry and that has changed my whole story.

What makes my work different is the persistent consistent pursuit of my potentials. I always give people a reason to come back and when they do, I am an inch or more ahead and better with my skills because I’m always learning.

John Prinze (Olaniyan Adeyemi John ) – Photographer

I can’t help it. I just want to know more. What I aim to achieve is the coming months, well, I have been doing photography for about a year 7months now, I wish to share knowledge of what I know. I want to impact. I also want to grow beyond Nigeria (Africa). I wish to work on projects across the globe and be a positive force and a source of inspiration for others’ – John Prinze

Socials –

Instagram – @officialomooba

Twitter – @_officialomooba