Meet Kola Adetola | Exclusive Photographer | Videographer

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

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
During my undergraduate years, I regularly convened with my friends for monthly meetings at a local restaurant. These gatherings were an opportunity for us to discuss our lives and aspirations. As part of these discussions, I would inquire about what they felt they needed to advance in life and achieve their goals.

The majority of the group consisted of individuals who were either already in front of the camera or aspired to be. A common sentiment among them was the desire for more visual content. To understand their needs better, I asked them to elaborate on what they meant and what their ideal scenario would look like. The responses varied from wanting to dance, act, or simply be in front of the camera to gain visibility and propel their careers.

This feedback prompted me to contemplate the potential benefits of owning a camera. After several days of reflection and subsequent meetings, I proposed the idea of purchasing a camera. The group’s reaction was overwhelmingly positive. I held onto this idea for about two to three months, not acting on it immediately as I was unsure of its implications.

In December of that year, just before Christmas, I began researching what it would entail to purchase a camera. When I shared my findings and intentions with the group, they were excited and reminded me of my involvement in production. I recalled the organization I had started in school, African Voice, which had grown and expanded organically over the years. This growth positioned me as the person overseeing the organization from both the front and back ends.

As we approached our final showcase before my graduation, I conceptualized how to open the show and dictate its flow. After pitching the idea to the school board and receiving approval, I presented it to my executive board and the rest of the organization. Despite the enthusiasm for the idea, the question of execution arose. I must admit, I had assumed someone else would bring this elaborate idea to fruition.

In short, this period required me to delve into the intricacies of production and show creation. I learned how to translate a plan into reality, a skill that has been invaluable in my journey.

In addition to mastering the camera, I also familiarized myself with other tools and equipment that could enhance the quality of my visuals. I delved into post-production, learning about software tools such as After Effects and Premiere Pro. Initially, I viewed this as a temporary endeavor, not something I would need to revisit in the future. However, upon reflection, I found myself returning to the skills I had acquired during my time at school.

My journey led me to conduct research on eBay, where I began to explore various camera options. Canon was a prominent brand, followed by Nikon, which seemed to have older models with fewer reviews or YouTube videos. Other brands I encountered included Lumix, Panasonic, and Sony. At that time, if one were to rank cameras, the order would likely be Canon, Nikon, and then Fuji.

Despite the popularity of Canon, similar to how iPhones are today, I chose to take a less conventional route and opted for Nikon. This decision meant that I was committing to learning the manual aspects of photography and videography, which subsequently led to the implementation of my ideas.

When I decided to purchase a camera, I was stepping into uncharted territory. I used all my savings to make the purchase, not fully understanding what I was getting myself into. Unfortunately, within the same week of purchasing the camera, I was robbed, and all my equipment, boxes, and accessories were stolen from my car. Miraculously, the only item not in my car at the time of the robbery was the actual camera.

This incident clarified my focus and dictated my next steps. From that day forward, I concentrated on learning everything about my camera and the style of photography and videography I wanted to pursue. This marked the beginning of my journey, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love this question , I would assume my friend was able to make it in Sunday night and preparing to pop off the week starting Monday morning.

I have a lot of partnerships with business owners and restaurants so I would hit everyone up and get us on the same page to create a week of fun and experiences.

the itinerary would look like this:

Monday – Friday Morning

– We start off with brunch Snooze (There are a few locations but we will attend the Sandy Springs Location)
– After brunch we will take a walk on the beltline to burn some of those calories and sight see for a little.
– Once we got through the mid day hours we will make our way to Spray paint & Sip, a great experience at Studio W.I.P
– Once the night starts we will visit one of my favorite partners locations, which is Rocksteady Located in Midtown. The food is a Caribbean fusion that is second to none. They also have amazing cocktails and a party That brings the whole city out upstairs.
-Throughout the week I will adjust a few afternoon and evening activities with “Beat The Bomb,” a few escape room locations and last but not least The Painted Duck also found in midtown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I love that this series is all about the recognition of others who play or may have been a important piece to the success and progression of others.

I would love to shoutout my community and everyone who has played a part of my growth. That is everyone from my sisters , all the way to the individuals who doubted me throughout the time I decided to help others by doing anything and everything it took to stay the course.

Website: Akolaproduction.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/king_kola311/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kola-adetola-22844a57

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dat_Boi_Kola

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kadetola

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AKolaProduction