Meet Tolulope Gangbo | Photographer

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

Hi Tolulope, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
At first I thought it would be an easy thing. You know, the usual “buy the equipments needed and promote your brand” thing but it wasn’t so for me. Starting the business, I realized I’d be spending 90% of my time trying to map out strategies on how to brand and promote myself then 10% on other things like buying equipments, mastering my art, getting to work with people and dealing with a lot of issues that may arise. After getting through that thought process I began to put in the work up until this point

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art isn’t just art, it’s multiple expressions through humans. It’s either about how I’m feeling, how they are feeling or the message I want to pass across. Many people see my work and think “oh he only shoots naked women” “he only likes a certain kind of women” and honestly I can’t keep explaining myself when it comes to that simply because I see the human body, male or female, way beyond nudity. It’s a combination of light, color, shape, form and lines which a lot of people don’t ever get to see, not for a day. Women are a major part of my creativity because they simply stand for everything I desire. Talk about love, luxury, perfection, you name it and that’s what sets me apart from other creatives or photographers. I see beyond the surface.

To talk on what I’m most proud about, it would be my growth over the years since I began this 10 years ago. I can say after God, I did it all by myself. Finding my place, creating my own world and living in it, yes that’s all me and I’m also proud my chosen path has fed and is still feeding multiple.

I got to where I am today by simply being true to myself and being consistent. Nothing yields results more than consistency and focus. That’s honestly the long and short of it. Never lied to myself about my capabilities and abilities and I allowed moments of doubt to set in just to challenge myself and beat my own self doubt because a lot of people will say this and that to me but it’s what i tell myself that matters the most.

A whole lot of challenges set In through the entire process. Things like angry clients, clients who didnt pay up, models who don’t show up to shoots, models who go and say wrong things after shooting, ones who bother me about photos we just shot a day ago, clients who get heated when I ask for a balance, so much more lol. Overcame all of them just by being patient and being professional with my manner of approach to each and every situation. I’ve leaned through this that you don’t act stupid with stupid people. It will just be a room full of stupidity, instead you stay quiet and give knowledge where necessary cause two loud radios would only produce noise.

I would like the world to know that photography isn’t the only thing my brand has under its name. There’s also a clothing line (www.thetberrybrand.com) and now I have one more thing coming that I can’t disclose just yet but it’s going to be really big

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.
Oh this will be quick lol I stay home all day. Just that simple. I’m a home body, I only go out when required but I know a few steak houses tho since that’s all I ever eat. I’m new in the city of Atlanta

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Honestly, I’ve never had a mentor I’d say the ones who deserve to be shouted are the people who stood by me in trying times and constantly believed in me. My family, a very few people I call friends and all the clients/models who have either worked with me on a project or booked me for a service. They are the real MVPs

Website: www.tberrypictures.com

Instagram: Iamtberry

Other: www.thetberrybrand.com