Please introduce yourself, and how you got into photography? My name is Paula Abu, I’m 21 and I’m a photographer. I grew up going to the cinema a lot so I’ve always enjoyed film. I then got a camera for my 18th birthday and started taking photos then. I’ve been shooting properly since 2017. After a while I started posting my photos on my spcial media and just went from there. I’m also studying pharmacy in Nottingham. How would you describe your style of photography? I would say my style is fashion and editorial. But I feel like fashion/editorial content can be unrealistic sometimes. So I try to create photos that combine a high end and grounded feel. It’s a mixture of the honest aspects of a documentary style but still as big and grand as fashion and editorial work. It’s real and honest.
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Did you encounter any setbacks on your journey? Yeah, most of all was questioning myself, asking if this could actually go somewhere. I also realised that social media engagement doesn’t always translate to money – this was hard to navigate. Finding a way to monetise this was the biggest setback to overcome.I also had a number of people commenting on my photos and questioning why I only shoot black people or people of colour. This demographic is my own community fromwhen I was young, I’ve always had access to shoot with them. This community is already under represented, which is why it is a focus for my photography. What advise would you give for creatives starting out? Just do it… a lot of times we wait to get to a place where we’re ready, but you won’t ever feel ready until you just try it.
Interview by ILAYDA MCINTOSH Photography by ILAYDA MCINTOSH Words by ILAYDA MCINTOSH
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