Esdras Bysmark Appiah: Beninese fashion, beauty, and corporate photographer exploring identity and brand credibility | 54Ruum Spotlight

Esdras Bysmark Appiah is a Beninese photographer currently based in Cotonou, specialising in fashion, beauty, and corporate photography. His work focuses on themes of identity, brand credibility, and precise art direction, creating timeless images that serve as positioning tools for his subjects.

A significant milestone in his career was his strategic shift from intuitive practice to a structured, professional approach that prioritises visual consistency and tangible brand impact. Explore his work on 54Ruum Spotlight.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I often spend more time thinking about the lighting and the pose before pressing the shutter than actually taking the picture. For me, a good image is decided long before the shot is taken.

How did you get started in photography?

I started photography in 2018 through an entrepreneurial project with a friend. Initially, it involved creating a brand of custom t-shirts. My role was to photograph the garments worn by models to showcase the product.

This project allowed me to understand very early on the impact of imagery on brand perception. By striving to make the t-shirts more visually appealing, I gradually developed a deeper interest in photography, art direction, and how an image can tell a story and create value.

What began as a business venture became a true turning point — I realised that images were not just a medium, but a language in their own right. From that moment on, photography became central to my career.

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

I specialise in fashion, beauty, and corporate photography — fields where images play a central role in perception, identity, and credibility.

This choice came naturally from my interest in the visual enhancement of people and brands. I have always been drawn to worlds where every detail counts: attitude, lighting, styling, and the overall coherence of the image. These specialisations allow me to work on both aesthetics and message, giving meaning to each image I produce.

My style has evolved toward something more refined and controlled. Initially, I explored a lot, both technically and visually. Today, I favour a more thoughtful approach, focused on art direction, simplicity, and intention.

Can you share the main themes or ideas that inspire your work?

In my photographs, I strive to create images that speak for themselves, without excess light, framing, and details are used to guide the viewer’s eye and reinforce the message, rather than to impress. This approach allows for the production of visuals that are clear, coherent, and sincere.

I connect with others by listening and collaborating. Before photographing, it allows me to take the time to understand the person or brand I am working with: their world, their expectations, and what they want to express.

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

When I decided to structure my work and fully embrace my vision, rather than simply producing images. This shift from an intuitive practice to a more thoughtful and professional approach marked a turning point in my career.

Through certain client projects, I became aware of the tangible impact photography can have — helping someone see themselves differently, or enabling a brand to gain credibility and visual consistency.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge I have faced has been finding my place and maintaining a clear vision in an environment where it is easy to get sidetracked.

At first, I accepted a wide variety of projects without always taking the time to define a precise direction. This allowed me to learn, but also to understand the limitations of an unstructured practice.

I overcame this challenge by making a conscious choice: to slow down, refocus, and structure my work. I began to be more selective in my projects, clarify my positioning, and prioritise consistency over quantity.

This experience taught me that progress doesn't come solely from talent or technique, but from the ability to make choices, set boundaries, and remain true to a long-term vision.

If you could collaborate with someone, who would you choose and why?

This would be Vadym Yatsun and Lindsay Adler. Their photography styles are a direct call to action on how to structure my creative vision to better discover my art.

What do you think of the 54Ruum platform?

This is a platform I recently discovered, and I saw my colleagues on their Instagram pages showcasing their work, which is a great initiative.

How is the photography and art scene doing in your country? How has it evolved over the years?

It's more visible than before, nonetheless still growing in terms of structure. Over the last 10–15 years, there has been a clear evolution: The explosion of Instagram → the democratisation of photography.

More young photographers, more content, more images. The emergence of collectives, one-off exhibitions, and cultural platforms. There are more self-proclaimed talents, but not more solid markets.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in photography?

It's true that at the beginning, one doesn't have a precise and clear creative approach, so I would say first find yourself a mentor whose work inspires you, and over time you'll learn to know yourself.