Albert Chime: Ghanaian documentary and travel photographer preserving history through a lens of joy | 54Ruum Spotlight

Albert Chime is a photographer and visual storyteller based in Accra, Ghana. He began his practice as a way of making sense of the world and the people around him at different moments in time. Rather than being drawn to conventional ideas of beauty, Chime has always been interested in what feels meaningful — small moments, overlooked details, and untold stories that often exist quietly on the margins. His work is deeply informed by memory, curiosity, and a sensitivity to lived experience.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I have been an observer since I was a child, preferring the unfolding world outside to being indoors. Today, I translate that curiosity into photography that sits right at the intersection of emotion and documentation. I am just a guy from Accra, trying to ensure that the stories of today do not disappear tomorrow.

How did you get started in photography?

I started in a local internet cafe, where I performed graphic design and took basic passport photos. My real break came when my church desperately needed a photographer for a youth camp. Even though I had never used a professional DSLR and the settings felt like a total mystery, I leaped. Because of my background in graphic design, I was able to take those raw, mistake-filled shots into Photoshop and breathe life into them. When the church saw the final results, they were blown away. That was the moment I realised photography was not just a job, but my calling.

What type of photography do you specialise in, and why this speciality?

I specialise in documentary, travel, street, and portrait photography. I chose this because it allows me to be an observer of the world as it unfolds — a habit I have had since I was a child, when I preferred being outside, watching life, rather than staying indoors. I love the challenge of creating an arresting photograph that stops a viewer from flipping the page and forces them to analyse the story behind the frame.

What are the main themes or ideas that inspire your photography?

My work is driven by a deep desire to archive the present. I feel a sense of privilege in documenting people and places that may look completely different in a few years; it is my way of preserving history through a lens of joy.

My images sit right at the intersection of documentation and raw emotion. I use my photography to connect with others by inviting them into moments they might have missed — reaching back to those small, meaningful details and untold stories that exist on the margins of everyday life.

What accomplishment or moment in your photography career are you most proud of?

While I have had the honour of working on significant international projects, like documenting Ghana for 54MAGAZINE, I am most proud of my ability to capture arresting images that stop a viewer in their tracks. There is no better feeling than knowing a photograph I took made someone stop flipping the page to analyse the story and the soul behind the frame. Every time a viewer feels a personal impact from my work, it reinforces that my childhood curiosity — always being the kid outside watching the world unfold — was leading me exactly where I needed to be.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer?

The transition from being a general photographer to a dedicated documentary storyteller. In a market where my current style is not yet the popular choice, it was financially difficult to stop taking every job that came my way. I realised that if I wanted to be known for preserving history and capturing authentic emotions, I had to show only that work — even if it meant a leaner season.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

I have been a dedicated Fujifilm user for six years, captivated by the functionality and colour science they bring to my documentary work. I would love to officially partner with Fujifilm as a brand ambassador, bridging the gap between their technology and the powerful perspectives of African storytellers.

What do you think of the 54Ruum platform?

54Ruum is a vital bridge for African art, providing the representation and documentation we have historically lacked on the international stage. By showcasing talent from across all 54 nations, you are creating a space where photographers can finally move past the fear of low engagement and feel truly seen.

How's the photography and art space in your country?

Ghana’s photography space is evolving from a focus on commercial and event work towards a deeper emphasis on documentary storytelling. While commercial styles used to dominate, there is a new wave of creatives focusing on identity and heritage to preserve our history. Although sticking to this niche remains a challenge, the growing visibility of authentic African narratives is finally providing Ghanaian storytellers with a global stage.

What advice would you give to someone starting in photography?

Understand that a meaningful body of work is built over time, not overnight. Give yourself the grace to make mistakes; they are the most honest teachers you will ever have on this journey.

Be consistent and keep showing up with your camera, because you never truly know who is watching or whose life might be changed by your perspective. Above all, focus on training your eye to see the quiet, overlooked details that others miss — that is where your unique voice lives.