We had the good fortune of connecting with Banvoa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi BANVOA, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m inspired by other creatives. Photographers, artists, film directors and music video directors. My biggest inspirations are Renell Medrano, Pharrell, Missy Elliott, Tyler, the Creator, Takashi Murakami, Hayao Miyazaki, David LaChapelle, Baz Luhrmann, Hype Williams, Director X, Ahmad Barber, Donté Maurice, Charlotte Rutherford, Fart.PDF, my best friend, Neila.

There are so many other creatives as well but that’s an endless list of people, so I’m trying to keep this brief as I possibly can. Lol! I respect their creativity so much. Each of them have helped me hone in on my skills over the years and today. They’re unapologetically themselves and their work is so unique and eclectic. I like people who stand out and are authentic.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m honestly proud of my work from the beginning to now. Just seeing how far I’ve come just amazes me. I started off doing photography on my old iPhone 6s and editing photos on apps like VSCO and PicsArt back in high school to later on using Canon cameras and editing photos on Lightroom and Photoshop. Lol! I’ve always been a visual person but I had no idea that Photography would be my path. It’s the only thing I’ve ever taken seriously.

In the beginning, it felt easy. I was more creative than technical. I’m still kinda am. Lol! I went outside and shot whatever and whoever I wanted. I edited whatever I thought was cool and I didn’t care how it came out. As long as it looked good to me, I was fine. Then later on, I found out there was a more complex way of doing things and that challenged me a lot and it was hard. I wasn’t used to shooting images in a certain way or editing them in a certain way but the outcome was way better than I expected. I used whatever I was taught into my work and made a style of my own.

I’ve learned a lot of lessons but the main two lessons I’ve learned so far is know who you are and let go of the “old” that is no longer positively serving you. Trust that they will be replaced with “better”. Release old doubts, fears and perceived obstacles.

I want people to know that I’m always doing my best and nothing less of that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Honestly, my best friend and I don’t like going out that much. So we’ll probably go out for 3 days. Lol!

On the first day, I would take her to First Watch for breakfast/brunch and then later go to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to see what flowers they have in bloom and walk around. Personally, I love going to the Fuqua Orchid Center. Orchids are my favorite flower. After that, we’ll rent some bikes and ride through the Beltline in the Ponce/Krog Street area and then go out to eat at Thai 26 for dinner. I love their Lychee Martinis and 26 Thai Platter. You get to choose four appetizers and share. I would get the Crab Cheese Rolls, Roti Massaman, Calamari and Thai Dumplings.

Second day, we would go to the gym and do a quick workout. Go home, take a shower and freshen up for the day and be on our way to Phoenix and Dragon bookstore. Look around, read some books and buy some incense, candles and crystals. Probably do some shopping at Lenox mall or Perimeter mall and then later in the night, go to Rocksteady for dinner and go upstairs to dance. They always have the best DJ’s playing and their Jerk Lamb Eggrolls are AMAZING.

On the last day, we would have brunch at Toast on Lenox. I would get the Apple Cobbler French Toast, Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Shrimp and Grits. Later on, we’ll visit the Georgia Aquarium for a few hours so we can go on all the tours and then later in the night go bar hopping to Holiday Bar, El Malo and Rosé and Rye. They have the BEST Espresso Martinis!

I barely go out but that would be half a week well spent. Lol!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my younger brother, Emmanuel! He is someone that is so special to me. He is an amazing music engineer and very talented. He’s so supportive of me and I’m thankful to have him as my brother. I love him with all my heart!

Website: https://www.banvoa.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/banvoa

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/banvoa-ettien-b40aab161/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/banvoa

Image Credits
In order: Jolie Cazenave, Niamaka Pope, RINI, Neila, Karrueche Tran, Tatyana Ali, Chamar Moore and Alexis Carrington.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.