Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ely Honkpo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ely, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
My mission is to show people that it’s possible. That any endeavor you choose to embark on if you truly have the passion, the patience, work ethic, the faith and determination you can achieve anything that you desire in this world. I started photography in 2016 on a Samsung Galaxy s6 and wasn’t able to get a camera until 2 years later. I started by taking portraits of my friends and students that went to my school and even though I was shooting with people locally my goals from the beginning was to touch the hearts of the youth around the world by expressing myself through my art, having a positive message to spread about unity and hope in oneself and to be a positive influence for the leaders of tomorrow. I didn’t start shooting with expensive equipment until 6 years into my photography journey and even now my primary camera along with many of my recent work was done on the same camera I started out with, the Canon Rebel T6. It’s not always about the equipment, although it serves importance later down the line, it’s truly about the one holding the camera, the artist makes the art not the tool that is used to create. I want people to understand that with hard work and faith in yourself you truly become unstoppable on your path. It all resides in your perception of life.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am a Creative Director, Photographer, Stylist, and Set Designer. Currently I am specializing my skills into Fashion editorial and Beauty photography. I was born in Kennesaw, Georgia and am based in Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve been a photographer for 6 going on 7 years now and I’ve never been happier in my decision. Before photography I had dreams of becoming an animator and voice actor in hopes of creating my own show or animated film. Over the last 2 years I’ve specialized in working with influencers, social personalities, and artists. I have shot campaigns for Coach, Hollister, Journey’s, BooHooMAN, Local Trap Star, Feels ATL, Finesse Studios, and Cam Kirk Studios. I’ve started an online magazine to showcase and provide a platform for creatives in Atlanta, gotten to work with some amazing talented people, shot concepts for Nike, Marc Jacobs, Fila, and Burberry. I believe all of this was only possible by having faith in God and myself and having the support system of my family and friends, however it all started with believing in me. If I wasn’t strong enough to endure this path alone then I wouldn’t have made it this far and I recognize as grateful as I am for absolutely everything I know that is only the beginning so through any hardships I dry my tears and look ahead for as I am still alive today there is plenty more for me to experience.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Before I ever got paid for any work that I ever did I was doing photography for 3 and a half years. And even now I have faced many times where I have been underappreciated, misused by people in the industry and have been taken advantage of professionally. Despite that I still move full steam ahead in my passion, authenticity in my spirit, and love in my heart. I believe everyone has a purpose that in the grand scheme of things is bigger than ourselves and I believe that everything happens for a reason. With that in my heart the only thing from this world that can stop me is myself, I will never let fear enter my heart for as long as I live. You must have faith over fear, life is a series of leaps of faith and you have to trust yourself to catch yourself. No one in this industry or this world will change me or my personal values I only grow for goodness of my spirit.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn giving respect and trust to those who undervalued me. Being a photographer or an artist at all in this industry it’s easy for people who are entitled to believe they have a say in what your value is and I have found many times that we get underappreciated for the work that we do for people who are unable to do it themselves to our ability. Standing your ground in what you deserve is very important not only in the industry but in life. You should never let the opinion of another person determine the value of who you are or what you do, unless it’s from someone you choose to trust their opinion. However that’s why I say it’s important who you put that trust and respect into. I personally have been put in positions where I was taken advantage of for personal gain with nothing for me to show for it. It’s not about how you use people that’s the problem it’s how you misuse them. For anything to be sustainable it’s about fair trade.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elyhonkpo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ely-honkpo-064908239/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElyHonkpo
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@elyhonkpo
Image Credits
Creative Director and Photographer – Ely Honkpo @elyhonkpo