We had the opportunity to do an exclusive interview with 13 year old photographer Ruby Desireé, who shared her experience so far in photography...
CCM: Briefly tell us about yourself.
RUBY: My name is Ruby-Desirée Ogbuluijah. I was born on the 9th of December 2003. I am from Ataba, in Andoni Local Government of Rivers State and I’m an SS2 student in Capital Science Academy, Kuje Abuja. I am from a family of six. I have three elder brothers: My eldest brother is a Software engineer and a poet and Spoken word artiste; the next one is an Architect and a musician and my immediate elder brother is Mechanical engineer, fine artist and footballer. As you can see, we are a family of diverse passions.
CCM: What made you go into photography? What’s your inspiration and drive
RUBY: At the end of my JSS3 in 2016, I had a long five month holiday. I knew I definitely couldn’t spend all of that time watching TV, reading books and going to places so I decided to enroll in a Photography School. Why? Maybe because the nice professional photographs on Instagram lured me in. Maybe because I saw some of the work of Annie Leibowitz some days before. But whatever it was, I’m happy it got the better of me. I started attending classes at BigH’s Photo Studios with initial discomfort, seeing as I was the youngest person in the group. After a while though, I began to soak myself in the passion of the people there. In their laughter and effort. To me, it became less of a class and more of a space for realization and acquisition of dreams.
Outside BigH, who is arguably one of the best wedding photographers around, I also had the privilege of meeting and hearing eminent Nigerian photographers like T. Y. Bello, George Okoro and Ademola Adeniran talk about their craft during my time in Photography School.
Photography, in my most candid opinion is enchanting. I believe it gives a voice to the subjects. A good photograph makes me feel and question. So I guess that’s what I wanted to learn make people do: to feel and to question. I wanted to become that superhero that freezes emotion.
CCM: For how long have you been doing photography?
RUBY: About a year and some months now, probably less because I have been in school most of that time.
CCM: How has your journey as a photographer been so far?
RUBY: For the most part, it has been interesting. Learning new things. Meeting new people. Encouraging those people to be themselves, reminding them that the most beautiful pictures are made with the most genuine emotions. Seeing the surprise on their faces when I deliver the pictures and tell them my age. Having the freedom to see and make the world how I want it. However, it has been equally scary. I have to remind myself that there are places I am not wanted; people that do not want to be photographed. I have to constantly keep in mind that people that do what I do are taken for granted everyday and understand that I have a tendency to suffer more of this because of my age and gender. I have been chased away, threatened and shouted at. Still, I carry on knowing that the end will eventually justify the means.
CCM: What are your major challenges in photography thus far?
RUBY: There is a tendency for people to belittle and underestimate photographers, especially little female ones like me. However, the happiness that brews whenever I see that I have taken a good image makes it all worth it.
CCM: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
RUBY:Honestly, I haven’t really thought of it. I do often dream of building a renowned photography brand and owning my own studio. Apart from that, in my wildest imaginations, I think of investing in chain of companies, especially those that supports liberal arts. I also see myself owning a publishing house. But as I said, those are in my wild dreams. I’m thinking of taking things one step at a time, you know.
CCM: How do you feel about having a father as a manager?
RUBY:I feel honoured that he supports, encourages and believes in me. He restrains and at the same time gives me liberty. He provides opportunities and encourages me to pick up my camera even when I’m feeling defeated. Many of the opportunities I have had to showcase my craft have been through his network. He’s incredible.
CCM: What other passions do you have apart from photography?
RUBY: Definitely writing. It gives me the courage to find myself in my lens even as I have lost myself in the words. It’s a beautiful art.
CCM: What would be your advice to other young aspiring photographers like yourself?
RUBY: Believe in yourself. I’m kind of working on that too. Have it in mind that you can do whatever you want to do with what I like to call GPS. God, Practice and Self-confidence. Keep your neck up and your shoulders high. Stay true to yourself.
CCM: Finally, in 2 sentences, describe your relationship with your camera.
RUBY: It’s like a father daughter kind of relationship. I feel the need to prove myself to it before eventually feeling comfortable with it. Practise involves constantly being reminded that there is someone better, that there are images better and ultimately, that you can do better. We’re getting there.
Here are a few of my favorite work so far. I hope you love them, and you should except better in the near future. THANK YOU