In an exclusive interview with Oluwatunmise Awobajo, granted Bayo Speaks as a face of the week. She revealed her background, spirituality, lifestyle, career and achievements.

Oluwatunmise Awobajo is a young lady whose prime motive is to bring a positive change to those around her. She is a lover of God and a positive life changer.

Oluwatunmise is a Mobigrapher Specialist in product photography, a Law student and Forex trading enthusiast.

Background Check;

May we get to meet you; who really is Oluwatunmise Awobajo?

I am a child of God set to bring a positive change to her generation. As a young lady whose prime motive is to bring a positive change to those around me. I run a blog called My Life In A Diary, where I share my personal experiences with life to impact people who come across it. I’m a Mobigrapher Specialist in product photography, a Law student and Forex trading enthusiast. I go by the brand name, The Flourishing Mishe – it captures my totality as a being, and is gotten from my names, Oluwatunmise Flourish.

Can you please tell us about your background?

I’m the first child and daughter in a family of five. I grew up in a strong Christian home with my parents being pastors in one of the fast-growing churches in Nigeria. I had most of my childhood in Lagos state before relocating to Ogun state at the age of 8, where I’m still currently based.

Briefly tell us about your educational background?

I began schooling at His Majesty Redeemers’ School in Lagos State, for my pre-school education. Afterwards, I moved to Towergate Private School in Ipaja Lagos State for my primary school education. In 2012, I relocated to Ogun State, and completed my primary school education at Christ the Redeemer Nursery and Primary School, Redemption Camp. My secondary school education was at Redeemers’ High School, Redemption Camp. Currently, I’m studying Law in the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a Mobigrapher specialist in product photography. I tell compelling stories of products through images, that increase sales in the long run.

When did you know you wanted this job?

I knew I wanted to take this job, when I realized that there are few product photographers in the Nigerian photography industry. We have businesses, start-ups especially who are in need of product photographers to help portray their products in good light, but not many are in sight.

What career mistake has given you the biggest lesson?

At this stage, I do not think I’ve made a career mistake. I’ve made lots of mistakes, but every career I’ve engaged myself in at one point or the other, has not shown itself to be a mistake.

What dream did you have while growing up?

I had many dreams while growing up. Some were mere fantasies that a child would have and some were intentional. Nonetheless, I always dreamt of becoming a help to my generation, specifically helping the less privileged and making them better persons. I always dreamt of becoming a Lawyer, fighting for those who do not have the appropriate resources to access justice. I’ve always wanted to be a cook with my own restaurant, I remember holding Wannabe Cooking Shows in my Mum’s kitchen. Remembering that now, is a funny one. I had quite a lot of dreams while growing up, but I think the ones mentioned here would do for now.

Can you please talk about your passion for image and its effect to brandS?

Images have a powerful effect on people. Your images sell your brand first, before any other thing. It shows if it’s quality, or not. Many of the top brands we see, leverage on the sense organ of sight, to sell, because they know how powerful it is. They get a photographer to take a picture of their products, in the most appetizing and compelling manner and they sell it. People see it, they are fascinated by what they see, and they buy. That is the effect of images on a brand. Images sell more than words itself, so it’s essential that a brand who is into physical products, invest wisely in images that portray their products in the best light! This is why I’m passionate about what I do.

What was your first win that made you confident that you were doing the right thing?

My first win that made me confident, would be hosting my first Mobigraphy class. I hadn’t learnt mobile photography, but in December 2020, I took a bold step of hosting a class and teaching people for free, and I had over 1000 participants in the first edition. That win made me confident, and it’s one of the reasons I’m doing most of what I do now.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I like reading books, watching cooking shows and competitions, and also wrestling matches. I spend time with my family and most importantly I love to sleep during my spare time.

If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what question would you ask?

Why do some people get to suffer in life, despite all their effort to make life better for themselves?

Can you please tell us about the people you admire?

I really do admire Tunde Onakoya, the founder of Chess In Slums. He’s doing a great job, and I sincerely appreciate what he does and he inspires me a lot. Nora Awolowo, she’s a top goon in the Nigerian photography industry. Her story of how she began, gives me hope in my journey as a photographer. I also admire Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Mrs. Debola Deji-Kurunmi, Frank Lenz, and a host of many other people.

What’s your opinion about feminism and do you think all women deserve to be a feminist?

First of all, I do not believe in feminism. In the world we live in now, the definition of feminism has been tweaked and corrupted. In my opinion on feminism, I’d be speaking from a standpoint of a Christian. Feminism basically, is fighting for the inequalities of women, to ensure that whatever men do, females can do too on the basis of equality. The big question now is, is it really possible? That everything a man does, a woman can equally do, I do not think so. Yes, I understand that gender inequalities are prevalent, which to a reasonable extent isn’t right, but is feminism the answer or solution to solving this problem. I’d tell you, NO! I do not think every woman deserves to be a feminist, she should simply carry out her role as a feminine individual, and make the best use of her potentials. Look at Deborah in the Bible, you can’t call her a feminist, yet she led men to war. That is a woman worthy of emulation. She wasn’t striving to be equal with any man, she simply was using her potential as a woman to make her life, and those of her people better. This is what I believe every woman should work on currently, not striving to be equal with a man,

Are you ever depressed and why?

Yes, I have been depressed. The main reason came from my feeling of not doing enough. I was hit by imposter syndrome. I was scared of a lot of things, from school to work, my personal being, relationships with people. All of these things made me depressed. I wasn’t shooting images for a quite a while, then seeing people who were shooting and doing well, made me feel sad and depressed. Trying to balance school work and my work was a tough one for me, because I wasn’t prepared for what life brought at that point in time.

It took self-will and realization of my identity to come out of this feeling.

What are some of your achievements?

The fact that I’m known by God and He is my father is an achievement. Not everyone can boast of that kind of relationship with God. Having a record of teaching over 5000 people across Africa the skill of Mobigraphy (mobile photography) is an evergreen achievement for me. Been able to achieve a lot before the age of 18 is one thing I’m very proud of.

Where do you hope to be in the next four years?

I hope to have completed my bachelor’s degree in Law, likewise holding the title of a Barrister. I hope to be among the next generation of change agents in my country Nigeria, and Africa at large. Overall, I hope to be a better version of who I am currently.