FROM A RANDOM SHOT TO A CULTURAL SHIFT, THE RISE OF DAMI MANUELS

Inawo Magazine, a digital publication dedicated to curating and celebrating the richness of African weddings, re-launches its Spotlight Segment, a space carved out to spotlight the incredible minds that  shape how we see, remember, and celebrate love in Africa.

For our latest feature—and perhaps the most sensational one yet— we speak with Dami Manuels, a Biochemist who found love in the most unexpected place: photography. What began as curiosity bloomed into a calling, and today, Dami, as a visual storyteller, captures and immortalizes fleeting moments with a style that can only be described as magical.

In this interview, Dami painstakingly shows us the whole nine yards of an African wedding by taking us into  the vibrant, chaotic, and deeply emotional world of African weddings. He  walks us through the merging of two new worlds– from the pomp, the pageantry, to the food and even  rivalry of Nigerian aunties through the lens of a creative bent on changing the narrative and preserving love stories, one wedding at a time.

Let’s start from the very beginning. What first drew you into photography,

Dami:Honestly, I hadn’t thought about photography as a career.  I was fresh out of uni, waiting for NYSC, and  mentally prepping for a lab coat life with my Biochemistry degree. I graduated top of my class, it was a no-brainer that I’d just go find a “real” job. Photography  was definitely not in my plan.

But my dad encouraged me to just try it out because his friend’s son from church was also doing the same thing. It was so random but I gave it a shot. I started learning from his friend's son. He was into  portrait photography, so I started with that.

I did it for a few months, then paused to serve. After NYSC, I came back around to it and started to like it.

Then I ditched it again. Took on a 9-to-5 for about 10 months but it got old fast. I don’t like repetitive routines and the job just became  monotonous and boring. So I quit and went back to learning photography but the  person I started learning from was into wedding photography and that was what I did too, and this time it hit different.

I enjoyed the experience. Capturing moments felt exciting. Seeing the reactions when the pictures came out? Even better. I worked with him for almost a year, and before I knew it, I was hooked. I actually started looking forward to weddings. That’s how this whole journey began.

How did that evolve into a focus on weddings?

Dami: Well, passion. I love what I do, yes, but let’s be honest, the money too. I liked doing portraits, but weddings just had more life so I found myself leaning more to that. New places, new couples, new energy every time. No two weddings ever felt the same. Even though there are constants at every wedding, the vibe is never the same from the couple to the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and even  family members with the the aunties side-eyeing each other from across the room

Plus, I don’t go out much, so weddings upped my social life.I used to be shy but then I  had to talk to people, take charge, be present. It stretched me in a good way.

Then the money, I wasn't making a lot at first, I knew I was onto something.

Based on what you’ve said, how long did it take you to own your craft?

Dami: Honestly,I don’t think you ever really “arrive.” It’s a continuous journey. I still want to be better than I am now. There has to be one thing in my work that stands out because that’s what keeps me relevant.

Sometimes I look at my pictures and I’m like, “Ah, I’m starting to do the same thing again.” And once that happens, I know it’s time to shake things up. Even before weddings, I was already learning about lighting and shooting, but the real growth came from constantly pushing myself, experimenting, and sometimes studying others. I ask myself, “Okay, how did this person do this? How can I try that?”

If I had to put a number on it, maybe five or six years. But personally, I don’t think I’ve fully owned it yet. From the outside, it might look like I have. But for me, I’m still growing.

How long before you started making a lot of money???

Dami: A little  after COVID. The pandemic period was the soft launch of my business. Nobody knew me, and definitely nobody was risking their wedding photos on some guy with no portfolio. I was working with someone, but I didn’t have anything to show for myself yet. I mean, how do you convince people to book you when all your best shots are in someone else’s Google Drive?

So I did what any desperate creative would do. I started thinking, asking questions I reached out to planners and stylists like, “Hey, I’d love to work with you.” Only a few replied. So I started Second shooting left and right. You probably saw my work and didn’t even know it.

That’s how I started making money through second shooting. Consistency really helped me. I was always shooting. Paid or not, I showed up. I just wanted to get better, try new locations, and so on. I was building even when nobody was watching.

Then in 2022, things started picking up. I found my rhythm, built my tribe. It was rough at first sha.

There are not many photographers who would refer to themselves as visual story tellers. When did you realize you weren’t just taking pictures but telling stories through them?

Dami: I can’t even remember exactly what I was doing . I was just going through my pictures one day and reading something random when it hit me: Instead of boxing myself as a photographer, it made more sense to go by visual storyteller. My pictures have depth. They hold memories and stories. You can see it. I see the end result in my head before I even lift the camera. I always imagine the story first, then direct the shot.

So yeah, it made more  sense. And let’s be real, “visual storyteller” sounds way cooler

So You achieved your goal but you achieved it because you gave us a language to understand  you

Dami: Yeah, I’ve noticed people have picked it up so now  they don’t just say “photographer” anymore. But that’s the thing: when you do something well, people naturally follow. Which is not bad, that just shows you’re doing something right.

Yes, I see why people would follow that. When I look at your pictures, I feel like I’m in the scene.It's so real and the perspective one in, like you’re inviting me into the moment, and I actually want to be part of it. Which leads me to ask: Who or what were some of your earliest creative influences that helped define your style?

Dami: Omo it’s Bedge o. It’s BedgePictures.  I was  looking forward to this question. I am his number one fan. I was always looking forward to his posts then. He has inspired me a great deal even though we were not  close. People even started calling me “copy of bedge” when they started noticing my work. That even gingered me to put  more effort into making  my work stand out.

There are many photographers and creatives who have influenced me but Bedge is up there. As soon as I saw this question, I knew the answer without blinking.

He really inspired me.(to be what?, all the words I know make him sound like he is fangirling)

When you’re preparing to shoot a wedding, what does your creative process look like? From planning to the quiet moments to the post production?

Dami: It depends. For me I just make sure that the bride is comfortable.

If she’s overwhelmed, stressed about anything, or still trying to answer calls from vendors and aunties, you won’t get that real emotion. Once she is okay with her dress and her looks and stress free, that's when the real beauty shows up.

So I engage with her. Gas her up. I let her know she is beautiful and that she is not just the bride, she is the moment.

For the couple portrait we tell them to pretend we are not there and just vibe.  Most people don’t randomly start cuddling in front of strangers with cameras, so we ease in slowly with a few normal poses. Once they get comfortable you can feel the chemistry

Most of the  pictures that go viral on social media are taken when the couples are comfortable in the zone. Once they  forget I’m there, the magic starts happening. I’m just waiting for that one moment. I see it before I shoot it. Once I see it in my head, it’s game over.

Do you have any rituals, habits, or maybe even superstitions that help you get in the zone before a shoot?

Dami: Yes I pray o, I swear I am not joking. I like to pray before I step out but sometimes I forget so when I get to the car I say a few words of prayer.It’s my way of checking in. I believe in a higher power, and the way certain things align in my work? The way I take note of things, it can only be God. I believe in that higher power. Sometimes I can’t explain it

I also like to set the tone with music. When I’m editing, I play Theophilus Sunday. There’s something about it that keeps me grounded and present.

What would you say has been your proudest moment or milestone so far in your career?

Dami: So far it’s seeing my work everywhere like  people sharing it, commenting, talking about it on Twitter, on TikTok... It feels so surreal. I’ve prayed for days like that. To see something I created move like that? Crazy.

Another big one for me was getting my first camera,  a brand new one. Not UK used, not second-hand. New! It really meant a lot because my dad supported me a lot in the beginning, so when I finally bought my own, and later, a second camera that cost nearly triple— it was different! It was a proud moment for me and my dad was so proud of me.

And now people put me in the same sentence as Bedge? That one is way up there.

The Nigerian / African culture as it relates to weddings is a lot. In your opinion, what makes African weddings particularly unique and exciting to capture

Dami: A lot. African weddings are a whole vibe. Loud, colorful and just a whole vibe in itself. Everything is just so beautiful and I live to capture it all.

So I am drawn to traditional weddings in particular and I want to tell a different story of Nigerian traditional weddings not the same overly-edited style we’re used to. There’s beauty in the realness, and I try to bring that out, especially with northern weddings. They’re so rich  and there is just so much to see, the color, the fits, the jewellery, the women, the food, the after-parties where you even get to unwind with the couple? 10/10, no notes. The fun is worth the stress that comes with weddings.

The best part is no two weddings are ever the same. I’ve shot so many, and I still always leave with a new story. All weddings are unique. African weddings don’t believe in being boring. I even shot a wedding in Ivory Coast recently, and omoooo  that one was a carnival. I am talking couple coming in  big boats, live performances, just energy everywhere. It was insane. And Nigerians can party  yes, but those ones party harder. It was the biggest wedding I've ever done, and I’m still recovering.

So yeah, African weddings? You can’t replicate the vibe. I always look forward to them.

Over the years, how has your work evolved? What are some ways you’ve grown? 

Dami: As a creative, the relationships I’ve built have really helped me grow.  I used to not care so much about relationships and I’m not the best at maintaining relationships. But I realize now it’s important to have friends in whatever field you’re in. Relationships have really shaped and helped me.

Another thing with me now  is I am constantly curious. I’m always asking, “How did this person do this?” or “How does this work?” I’m always looking forward to learning something new. Like I said earlier, it's a continuous process.

My work has also changed the way I see things. Whenever I enter a space, I immediately start imagining how I can place my couple in that scene. I subconsciously  find beauty everywhere.

To be honest, I used to see photography as a quick money hustle.  Like just doing it in some shop and stuff. Even my dad suggested it. But when I got into it and started  seeing how people got really creative with photography, it completely changed my perspective. It wasn’t just about taking pictures anymore.

As a person, I feel like in anything you’re doing, you can excel and be the best. I’ve always been competitive, So once I stepped into this, I gave it my all. I didn't want to do the bare minimum. I want to break boundaries, do what hasn’t been done, and that's why I keep pushing myself.

If you ask a child what they want to be, they'll say lawyer, doctor and they probably won’t say “photographer.” I want to change that. I want people to see photography as something to aspire to as an actual career path.

For example people aspire to  become lawyers, but not everyone ends up owning a law firm but they still practice from another firm. I feel like we can replicate that with photography , that we can build something just as powerful. We can change the industry so it becomes something people are searching for, a viable career path.

Sometimes I ask myself, “Is this really possible?” But then I look at artists and creatives in other fields who are doing it and I think, what’s stopping us from changing our own narrative too?

What’s your relationship with sharing your work publicly?

Dami: We can’t do without social media in this age and time. It’s a major influence in our world as creatives.

Posting my work across social media platforms has brought visibility and is a major factor in people's perception of my work.

One time I posted on TikTok and my followers grew from 130 to 12.6k in 5 days. I had like 2.5 million views and got a lot of inquiries from that post alone. I don’t think there’s ever going to be a time I won’t post. I haven’t posted in 2 weeks, but I’m like ‘let me starve people first’, just to give them something to look forward to.

That’s why I don’t watermark my pictures. Let people wonder, “Who shot this?”’why is there no watermark?” It builds curiosity. Sometimes mystery sells more than branding.

Then sometime back, something  personal happened and I went completely silently. I didn’t post for about three months. Even when I could, I didn’t. Mentally, I wasn’t there. I had a block. But when I came back? Yeah, I came back strong. We thank God.

I really believe Nigerian photographers are changing the narrative with the way we capture weddings. It is more than beautiful. It's just different. Now imagine Nigerian weddings getting so much attention that photographers from here start getting flown abroad, just because of the way we tell stories through our work.  I really want to  see how we can push African, particularly  Nigerian weddings out there for showcasing culture beautifully through our work.

Africans have a unique perspective and I see how that would work. So What’s something you’re currently working on or dreaming about that has you excited? something you are really looking forward to?

Dami: I’m  currently working on a project, and honestly, I don’t even know if I should be talking about it yet. It’s a 3-in-1 project, and I’m really excited about it.

It’s going to cost me oh… basically everything I’ve worked for. But I love a challenge, and I’m excited. I’m really looking forward to it.

Another dream of mine is to shoot around the world. . I just want to build a portfolio that shows I made an impact in this field, not just in Nigeria, but across the continent and beyond.

I know it’ll inspire people. That’s the beautiful thing. You inspire people. That’s what Bedge did for me. So if I pull this off? Best believe someone out there will see it and go, “Yeah, I can do even more.”

Yes, you’ve created an opportunity for people to place trust in Nigerian photographers. If things go wrong now, unfortunately, it will  reflect poorly on Nigerians.

Dami: Exactly.

So  If you could photograph any kind of wedding in the world, no budget or limitations, what would it look like?

Dami: Hmm, I am not actually a fan of big weddings where you miss out on real moments because everyone is a content creator so there's at least 200 phones in the air. I  like intimate weddings. I genuinely want to see couples together. To capture everything in timeless images and get pictures of everyone in the moment; everyone is present and themselves and no one is trying to block me for content.. That's what happens in big weddings these days.

Then it would be in  a wide open space with  lots of green and soft natural light, no stress. Maybe even somewhere on one of the wonders of the world, just peaceful, calm, beautiful. And the images? Clean. Timeless.

When you’re preparing for a shoot, what does your creative process look like  from planning to post-production?

Dami: Before every shoot, I like to connect with the couple ahead of time. My packages usually include a complimentary one-on-one physical or virtual session with the couple just so we’re not strangers on the day of the shoot. For example, there’s a wedding next year in January, and we already shot the pre-wedding. They’re such a vibe, and I can’t even wait to post the pictures.  That vibe check is very important. Some couples are just  Pure chemistry but Others? Ehn…let’s just say it helps to warm up first.

By the time we get to the wedding day, I already have my crew. I bring my guys, and once we arrive at the hotel or venue, we scout. For areas that match the vibe the couples want. I already have a mental (and most times written) list of shots–  accessories, must-have portraits, small details. I share that with my assistants and second shooters  so they can remind me in the middle of the chaos.

Portraits are usually the most stressful part of the day and the most pressured. Weddings are more than the outfits and makeup , while  I’m trying to make sure everything looks good, I try not to miss out on the important things. I try to catch those little moments in between the poses. That’s what adds depth to my work.

Once portraits are done, I get into the flow, I capture  guest reactions, the ceremony, everything in-between. I’m not just focused on the activities. I want to capture the wedding from people’s point of view. I may not post those ones as often, but they are part of the full package so I give it my best.

Then comes the afterparty. That’s when people loosen up, and I focus on the couple while trying to capture everything.

Now post-production? That’s a bit long but  structured and I am working on it. It’s the hardest part, but also the most rewarding. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so even with a heavy workload, I don’t like to cut corners. I still handle major editing myself. We try to meet deadlines, but if there’s ever a delay, it’s because we’re prioritising quality.  Post production is the hardest part of the job. Editing can be exhausting, imagine staring at the same face over and over, but when I’m really feeling the job, I can’t wait to see it all come together.

That’s basically how it works.

What do you hope people feel when they look at your work?

Dami: Ah, I just want them to see the same thing I see. The beauty in the picture but like in their own way. I want them to feel something that resonates with them. It should not just be about what I hope to see. I want every picture to speak to people in a different way. They should find it beautiful in their own meaning, the picture speaking its own language to each person. One image, different meanings.  I want the work to carry joy, expression, and meaning to everyone in their own different way.  That actual  “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” type thing.

Lastly, what do you have to say to anyone out there looking to thread this path?What would you say to anyone looking to follow this same path?

Dami: Honestly? I don’t even know what to say. I have nothing to tell them because if I start giving advice like “do this, do that,” I’d be lying. Me too, I didn’t have any grand plan. I was just doing my thing.

At one point, I almost quit photography. It was my friend, a makeup artist, that encouraged me. I for don drop camera.

So no, I don’t have advice, but if you’re going to do this, do it well. Give it everything. Not because you’re in competition with anyone but because you want to be the best version of you. I follow big photographers not to copy, but to stay inspired. I don’t even know most of them personally but their posts alone pushed me to be better.

Keep learning. You serve your craft. I used to carry light up and down, and that’s how I learned lighting. Just show up and do the work.

Also, relationships matter. Ah! That one shocked me. I used to not care care and people knew. But now I have to manage relationships. Talk to people. There's money in people. Post your work whether or not  it’s perfect. Just keep posting. Keep showing up.

And one more thing is God. Don’t leave God out of it. I don’t take any job without praying first. Some gigs look sweet with money, but the stress? Madness. Ask for direction. Always. I am rooting for you.