Esther Adeola Seriki

Nov 2 - Written By Angela Nicholson

How did you get into photography?

I have always had a deep appreciation for art. From a young age, I was drawn to creating things with my hands, sketching and observing the subtle beauty in everyday life. I naturally noticed patterns, shapes and colours. Even though I didn’t yet understand how to bring these elements together, I knew that anything artistic resonated deeply with me.

As a teenager, my artistic journey became more defined when I began learning photography under the mentorship of Ayokanmi Oyeyemi, a respected creative in our community. He taught me with intention and clarity how to tell stories through my imagination and vision, and how to use photography as a powerful medium for expression.

During this time, I also volunteered with various non-profit organisations and orphanage homes. Although I was still young and had limited resources, I offered what I could: my time, my photography and my teaching. Capturing images and teaching children the fundamentals of photography quickly became a meaningful experience, both for me and for the children and communities I supported.

I consider myself an adventurer at heart. I enjoy travelling to historical and landmark locations to document people, cultures, places and history. These experiences continue to shape my perspective and enrich my work.

My journey began with children’s photography. Over the years, I began to combine it with fine art. Today, my work centres on storytelling through fine art portraiture and street documentary, creating imagery that connects with our roots and preserves heritage, emotion and the human experience.

Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?

I have attended numerous masterclasses, workshops and conferences over the years, covering photography, the arts, technical training and the business of creativity. To further hone my skills, I recently joined the School of Photography.

In Nigeria, my work has received several local recognitions, including a major empowerment grant supporting small businesses. My photography has been featured on a prominent billboard along a major road, and I have been invited to radio interviews and TV commercials to discuss my work and its role in shaping storytelling, particularly for the African child.

In 2023, I was the national winner of Wiki Loves Earth Nigeria and placed eighth internationally. This year, I was again ranked among the top 10 winners of Wiki Loves Earth Nigeria as a contributor to Wikimedia Commons.

I also had the opportunity to capture my first red carpet event for an international brand, Netflix.

My work is currently being exhibited at the ABC Conference in Nigeria and has previously been showcased at Artwalk Wakefield and the London Photo Show.

What’s the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?

Market people at “Oshodi under-bridge” in Lagos, Nigeria. It was a chaotic scene, yet people had a beautiful way of displaying their wares creatively and using their marketing skills to get people to stop and buy from them.

Unfortunately, I lost my images from those early days because of several life challenges, but that particular image is forever etched in my memory.

What do you love about photography?

Seeing beyond the surface of everyday life. Expressing sophistication in a simple way. Capturing candid moments and crafting visual narratives. Documenting lived experiences and evolution.

What do you wish you’d learned about photography earlier?

Techniques for working with light and colour schemes.

Where is your favourite place for photography?

Farmlands.

Do you have a favourite photographic technique?

Documentary and fine art photography.

Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?

My workflow begins with image selection. After a shoot, I review all the images and pull out the ones I think are strong. I put them in a separate folder and review them again, reminding myself not to keep too many because I can be biased towards my own work. For example, out of 200 images, I might initially select 50, but I aim to choose fewer. I narrow them down to 10 or 15, then curate them again to refine the selection further.

Once I have chosen the final images, I edit them according to what they need. If the adjustments are minimal, I process them quickly in Lightroom. For deeper or more artistic edits, I start with Adobe Camera Raw for the basics, then bring the images into Photoshop for detailed post-production.

After editing, I save the files in high quality and prepare optimised versions too. This is especially important when the images will be displayed on large screens or printed.

What’s your favourite lens?

My 70–200mm and 85mm lenses.

Do you have a favourite accessory?

My camera’s silicone cover. It’s so squishy and white.

Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?

Yes, a K&F bag.

Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?

7venShades Photography is a renowned photographer and one of the top newborn photographers in Nigeria.

Taiwo Aina is a respected documentary photographer based in Nigeria.

The Fantastic Four is my photography team. Together, we travel across Nigeria documenting historical sites, iconic locations, cultural events and people from different regions.

Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram?

Ogechi Ochai @7venshades_photography, Taiwo Aina @taiwoaina_, Tolani Alli @tolanialli

Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don’t have yet but you’d like to buy at some point?

I would love to get a customised Leica camera or a Hasselblad. For lenses, I’d like a 400–600mm and a 135mm.

Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven’t tried yet?

Equine, wildlife and sports photography.

What’s your proudest photographic moment?

Connecting easily with children while photographing them.

If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?

The power to sort out and edit images in seconds.

Your favourite baked goods are?

Meat pie, a local snack from my country, Nigeria, similar to a slice here in the UK.

Please tell us a little about yourself

I’m a multi-passionate creative whose work brings together storytelling, art and thoughtful entrepreneurship. I hold a first degree in Computer Engineering and a second degree in International Business, combining technical expertise with a keen understanding of the business of creativity.

With over seven years of experience in photography, I’ve developed a distinctive style spanning fine art photography, children and family portraiture, and street documentary. Through my work, I capture people and the world around them through an emotive and meaningful lens.

I’m the creative director of Hadassah Photostorie, a photography brand dedicated to connecting children with their roots and heritage while celebrating culture, tradition and values, one powerful image at a time. Through my work, I hope to inspire, educate and preserve stories that matter, creating visuals that resonate across generations and borders.

Esther’s Favourite Images