In 2021, the world faced a multitude of significant events. The global pandemic cast its shadow, compounded by uprisings fueled by George Floyd’s passing the preceding year. At the same time, the BLM movement reverberated worldwide. Amidst this tumultuous backdrop, a compelling narrative emerged in my mind—a narrative encapsulating themes of hope, unity, love, generational legacy, and the power of representation.
Having known Rotimi for over a decade, he lent authenticity and credibility to the story I wanted to convey. As the London lockdown was coming to an end, I approached my friends Rotimi and Tayo asking to capture their essence through photography for this narrative. Graciously, they accepted, enabling me to capture the concept of family—a young Nigerian family flourishing in West London. Their recent addition of their son, Tireni during a time rife with global uncertainties added layers to the story.
Fast forward to 2023. To my surprise, Rotimi informed me that the photos had been handpicked for inclusion in the esteemed Nations Family Album by Ancestry. The photos were to be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery. Out of 2200 submissions, the piece stood out as one of the chosen four to be physically displayed in an exhibition for a month from August 10th to September 10th, 2023—a platform dedicated to celebrating Great Britain’s history and diversity.
When I thought about capturing those photographs, my intent was simple: to capture the journey of a couple I am close to. I did not expect it to go viral or end up at The National Portrait Gallery. Even so, I am pleased that it has been well received by people of different backgrounds, highlighting the importance of representation. Particularly in a world so divided, portraying people like us (Black individuals) is important. Thank you
@rotimi_odukoya and
@_tayyblack for entrusting me with their narrative, allowing me to share their story.
