We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aude Christale. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aude Christale below.

Aude Christale, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

All my life, I attended Catholic schools, from my early years in Cameroon to when I moved to the United States. While those schools offered many strengths, they were not always the most encouraging environments for creativity outside of structured classes, given their traditional principles. It was not until sixth grade, when I took an art class at St. Mary of the Lake, that I truly discovered art for the first time.

In Cameroon, artistic expression is not often encouraged in young people, so I had never really had the chance to explore that side of myself. But that class was transformative. Every brushstroke felt like therapy, and every project gave me a chance to express feelings I had never put into words. Art spoke for me, and in doing so, it showed me I was not alone.

At Pomona College, where I studied economics, I was surrounded by people with incredibly diverse styles and aspirations, which expanded my perspective and deepened my creative curiosity. That was also when I fell in love with photography and music. Photography allowed me to capture the beauty I saw in the world and build creative photoshoot concepts, while music became a way to channel my emotions and connect with others on a soulful level.

After graduating, I used my bonus check to invest in a camera and studio equipment, a decision that marked the beginning of a deeper commitment to the arts. Since then, I have been steadily working toward turning my love for art, photography, and music into a full-time life and career.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Aude Christale Ngoue, the founder of Audeography, a photography and creative direction brand that is intended to bring together storytelling, culture, and bold artistic expression. I was born in Douala, Cameroon, and raised in Chicago, and for most of my life I attended Catholic schools where creativity was often confined to the classroom. It was not until a middle school art class at St. Mary of the Lake that I discovered how powerful artistic expression could be. That class changed everything for me. Shout out to Ms. Pomranky!!!

My passion for creativity deepened at Pomona College, where I studied economics and was surrounded by individuals with diverse styles and aspirations. It was during that time that I fell in love with both photography and music. Photography gave me the ability to capture beauty and emotion, while music became a way to connect on a deeper, soulful level. After graduation, I used my first bonus check to purchase a camera and studio equipment, and that marked the true beginning of Audeography.

With Audeography, I provide much more than photography. I create visual experiences through photography, creative direction, and styling concepts that highlight individuality and confidence. Every project is an opportunity to blend fashion, movement, and cultural influence into images that feel both vibrant and meaningful. My goal is always to create work that not only captures a moment but also empowers my clients and allows them to see themselves in a new and confident light.

What sets me apart is my versatility. I am a singer, a dancer, a stylist, and a photographer, and each of these passions informs the others. This multidimensional approach allows me to bring originality and depth to every shoot. Clients often tell me that my work feels personal, powerful, and authentic. For me, Audeography is not simply about taking photographs. It is about telling stories and creating lasting experiences that make people feel truly seen and celebrated.

My vision is to expand Audeography into editorial work, music visuals, and larger cultural collaborations. At its core, Audeography stands for boldness, authenticity, and storytelling, and I want every person who encounters my work to feel that truth reflected back to them.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

In my view, the best way society can support artists and creatives is by creating spaces where creativity is not treated as a luxury but as an essential part of human expression and progress. Too often, young people are discouraged from pursuing the arts because it is seen as impractical, especially in places like where I grew up in Cameroon, where artistic traits were not always nurtured. We need educational systems and community programs that make art accessible early on and encourage exploration without judgment.

Beyond education, real investment is necessary. This means making grants more available to artists and ensuring they are promoted and advertised just as widely as other types of grants. Many talented individuals miss opportunities simply because the information is not reaching them. Funding for local creative projects, grants for emerging artists, and accessible platforms for diverse voices can help ensure that talent is nurtured and not lost.

I know the impact of creativity firsthand. I have always used my creativity in many of the jobs I have done in the past, even when they were not art focused. Because art is such an essential part of who I am, finding solutions often came more naturally to me. Whether it was streamlining a process, developing a strategy, or rethinking how to approach a challenge, I relied on the same creative instincts that guide me in painting, photography, and music. Creativity has never been limited to a canvas or a lens for me. It has been the foundation of how I problem-solve, connect with others, and bring fresh perspectives to every role I have taken on.

Collaboration is also key. Society thrives when art intersects with business, technology, and community development. By recognizing the value of creatives as innovators and problem solvers, we can build ecosystems where their contributions are not only celebrated but also integrated into broader cultural and economic growth.

Ultimately, supporting a thriving creative ecosystem requires valuing artists not only for the beauty they create but also for the perspective, healing, and innovation they bring to the world. When artists are given the tools, the funding, and the recognition they deserve, society as a whole becomes richer, more vibrant, and more connected.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn is that creativity has to fit into a neat box to be “valid.”

Growing up in Cameroon and later in Chicago, I often heard that pursuing the arts wasn’t practical—that I needed to choose one stable path and stick to it. For a long time, I tried to force myself into a singular identity, whether it was being “the academic,” “the artist” or “the finance girly”

But the truth is, I thrive in versatility. I’m a photographer, a fashion lover, a dancer, and a singer, and each of those outlets feeds the others. Photography helps me show the world through my personal lens, painting helps me process my emotions, fashion energizes my confidence, dancing keeps me spirited, and singing grounds me emotionally. My job pays my bills for now — haha! Together, they form my balance.

The backstory is that I once believed I had to silence some parts of myself to be taken seriously—especially as a Black woman navigating both creative and professional spaces. Over time, I realized that cutting off pieces of my artistry wasn’t strength; it was self-denial. Now, I embrace the fullness of my creative identity. Unlearning that narrow definition of success has allowed me to create Audeography—a space where all my passions coexist and will soon shine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.audeography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audeography?igsh=MXdycXByOHdwdTgzYQ== and https://www.instagram.com/aude.x.tale/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TasteofDangr/videos

Image Credits

Photos by @Audeography