Glenn Epouta: Gabonese portrait & food photographer highlighting African beauty, everyday life & authenticity | 54Ruum Spotlight

Glenn Epouta is a 31-year-old portrait photographer from Libreville, Gabon. Through his lens, he celebrates African culture and highlights an authentic, distinctive beauty found at the heart of each of his subjects, as well as the beauty revealed in the simple, fleeting moments of everyday life.

He trained at Collège LaSalle in Montréal, where he first specialised in commercial photography before going on to study fashion design. He later chose to return to Gabon, where he opened his own photo studio and committed himself to sharing and passing on his passion for the arts to a wider audience.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

If I were to describe myself, I would say I am a keen observer, striving to capture reality as faithfully as possible, while occasionally allowing myself to enhance it. I am also a naturally curious person, still exploring and getting to know who I am.

How did you first get into photography?

I began photography at secondary school when I was 14 years old. I took many photographs of my classmates during break times and at the various events I attended. I enjoyed capturing the funniest and most awkward moments of our adolescence. Before long, I found myself creating more refined images, increasingly focused on fashion portraiture, and I have continued to develop along this creative path ever since.

Did you choose your current niche(s) or did it choose you?

I am far more drawn to portraiture than to any other genre. I would not necessarily call it my speciality, but I deeply enjoy the process of research and creation that allows me to capture the essence of a subject. I am equally fond of the synergy behind the making of fashion portraits. The act of creating itself is what keeps the flame burning within me.

In the past, I relied heavily on artifice to make my images stand out, whereas today I find beauty in simplicity. I am still always in search of that subtle extra touch that sets my work apart, but I place far less pressure on myself and on my approach, whatever the subject may be.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography?

Women are at the centre of my work. Each woman becomes a true subject of observation for me, an encounter I have the privilege of portraying in her most honest and radiant light. My sensitivity towards them allows me to more naturally capture the strength, depth and beauty I seek to express.

I do not necessarily aim to create a connection beyond the one I share with my subject. And if others happen to see themselves reflected in my work, I am simply and genuinely pleased.

What's the one achievement or moment in your career that you're most proud of?

In 2024, I exhibited a photography project focused on mental health. It was deeply rewarding for me to address this topic, as I had struggled with depression and had never found the strength to confront it openly. This series of photographs allowed me to express how I felt and the journey I went through to overcome it.

Sharing it with a receptive audience who could relate to my work was incredibly healing, and there is no greater feeling than being understood, especially by people who do not necessarily know you. It shows that you do not always need to know someone personally to truly understand them.

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

The biggest challenge I have faced as a photographer has been figuring out what identity or style truly suits me. I have come to understand that I am constantly evolving, and that my work will naturally develop and refine itself over time. What matters most is that I am content with my creations and that my creative process continues to grow.

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

Photographer: Emmanuel Oyeleke and Henry Oji. I would choose these photographers for their technical skills, their style, and also their understanding of the photography business, whether it be on the financial side or in building relationships.

Designer/Stylist: Marième MBOUP (@sheyumboe). I would choose Marième for her high-fashion Afro-futuristic style. Her aesthetic is simply breathtaking!

Model: Olivia Yace (@olivia.yace). Her charisma, grace, beauty, and energy… I love everything about her!

What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

I believe we need more platforms that showcase the talent and creativity of African artists. It is 2025, and we still lack systems designed by us and for us, which, in my view, is unacceptable.

The industry as we know it was not created to highlight our work, but rather to exploit us. The work done by platforms like 54Ruum is essential in giving creatives the opportunity to reveal their full potential.

How's the photography space in your country: how has it evolved in recent years?

There are initiatives in place, but their impact is almost negligible because very few artists, across all fields, are actually able to make a living from their art in Gabon.

Photography, in my view, is the most neglected profession. As there are no real photography schools here, nor photographers promoting the craft on an international scale with significant impact, it is difficult to fully sustain oneself through this art.

We also lack informative initiatives, meaning that artists in Gabon often do not know how to navigate their careers without being exploited. We do, however, appreciate the few efforts made to help these artists find a path towards self-sufficiency and the success they aspire to achieve.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering a career in photography, what would it be?

In an industry where the odds are stacked against you, being passionate and patient is not enough. You need to be clever, have a strategy, and a support system that helps you reach your goals along the way.

Dream bigger and bigger and bigger, but then wake up and get to work!