Amanda Akokhia, a Nigerian photographer residing in the UK, has won The British Photography Awards’ coveted title of 2024 Fashion Photographer. This award recognizes her self-taught career in beauty and fashion photography, which she began over a decade ago with no formal training and was driven exclusively by love and tenacity.
Akokhia, the proud owner of Green Studios, announced her victory with heartfelt words on Instagram, reflecting on her path to success.
“I still can’t fully grasp this moment, but I am beyond honored and incredibly grateful to be recognized with this prestigious award,” she shared, recalling how, just eight years ago, she had been fresh out of law school with a legal career ahead of her, while photography was still “a distant dream.”
Akokhia’s award-winning career spans over 11 years, encompassing a wide array of creative projects, from editorial spreads to brand campaigns. Three of her works were nominated in both the fashion and fine art categories this year, showcasing her distinct talent in portrait photography. She dedicated the award to her team, saying,
“This award wouldn’t have been possible without you,” while emphasizing the importance of resilience and belief for every artist out there: “Believe in your art… it will take you to places you never imagined.”
Akokhia’s journey highlights the power of following one’s creative dreams, even in the face of uncertainty. Could her story inspire others to pursue their passion with unwavering belief?