Ismail Suleiman, street photographer based in Abuja, Nigeria

Ismail is a photographer who leans into mood, emotion, and raw storytelling. He started by just taking pictures for fun, then got intentional once he realised how much he loved it. He shoots black and white, portraits, and street, anything that feels real. He likes quiet moments, gritty textures, and frames that say more than words ever could.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I tend to live in my head a lot, but that’s where most of my creativity comes from. I find a lot of inspiration in music, it’s not just something I listen to, it gives me ideas and helps me set the mood for whatever I’m working on. I also love watching movies with strong cinematography.

I pay close attention to the framing, lighting, and movement. It's like visual poetry to me. I don’t just watch for the story; I watch to get inspired. It all fuels the way I see and create.

How did you first get into photography?

I’ve always loved taking pictures, just taking shots of whatever caught my eye. Even before I knew anything about the technical side of it, like composition or framing, I could appreciate a good photo when I saw one. I didn’t know why it looked good, I just knew it felt right.

I wasn’t thinking about leading lines or framing, I just liked the feeling of freezing a moment. Later on, I wanted to get more intentional with how I took pictures. So I started learning the basics, composition, framing, light, all that good stuff, and from there, I just kept practicing. I’m still learning, but now I shoot with purpose, not just vibes, no fancy gear, just me, my phone, and a growing obsession.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche? How has your style evolved over time?

I specialise in black and white photography, portraits, and street photography; those three feel the most true to how I see the world. I chose black and white because there's something timeless and raw about it. Stripping away colour forces you to focus on the emotion, the texture, the contrast. It lets the feeling of the photo take centre stage, and to me, that's where the real power of an image lives. It strips the photo down to its essence and lets the mood do the talking.

Portraits pulled me in because I love capturing people in their realest moments. It's not about perfection, it's about expression. It gives me a way to capture people in their most honest form. I love shooting faces, expressions, subtle moods, stuff that speaks without needing any words. There's something powerful about freezing a single look or moment that tells a whole story.

Street photography came naturally to me. I've always been drawn to the unpredictability of the streets, the noise, the rhythm, the unscripted moments happening all around. I love the challenge of spotting a fleeting story and catching it before it disappears. It's raw, it's honest, and every shot is a mix of luck, timing, and instinct.

My style has evolved a lot over time. At first, I was just experimenting, trying out different looks, figuring out what worked. I didn't really know about composition or framing; I just shot what looked interesting, but the more I shot, the more I leaned into moodier tones, high contrast, and minimal distractions. My editing got more refined, my compositions more intentional. Now, every shot I take is part of a bigger vibe, a visual language I'm still building, but one that feels more me with every frame.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography? How do you use your images to connect with others?

I’m drawn to mood and emotion,I want people to feel something when they look at my shots, not just see them. Whether it’s calm, loneliness, tension, or stillness, I try to freeze those emotions in time.I’m big on realness and imperfection. I like capturing life as it is, unpolished, raw, a bit gritty. That’s why I gravitate toward street and candid moments. There’s honesty in those scenes you just can’t fake.

Contrast plays a huge role too, not just in light and shadow, but in meaning. A soft look in a rough setting, quiet people in busy streets, old structures against a modern backdrop. I love that kind of duality.My style leans toward minimalism, but it’s never empty. I like when small details do the talking, a gesture, a shadow, a look. That simplicity hits harder when it’s intentional.

There’s also this recurring theme of isolation and stillness. Even when I’m shooting chaotic environments, I somehow find that quiet moment within it. It’s like everything slows down just long enough for me to press the shutter.

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

One moment in my photography journey that really made me proud was the first time I tried portrait photography. I wasn’t sure what to expect, thought I’d fumble a bit or need time to figure it out. Instead I started taking shots that were already looking solid, like I had some hidden experience or muscle memory I didn’t know about.It felt natural. Like I just got it, the angles, the vibe, the emotion definitely a confidence boost and one of those moments that made me wanna keep pushing.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it? What did you learn from that experience?

The biggest challenge I’ve faced in my photography journey is honestly just fighting off being shy in public. Like, I’ll see a perfect shot, light hitting just right, someone doing something interesting, but then I hesitate. That fear of people staring or thinking “what’s this guy doing?” kicks in, and I miss the moment. What I learnt was that those moments don’t wait, they come and go in seconds.

And if I want to tell real stories through my photos, I have to be willing to step out of my comfort zone. I’ve realized it’s not about being intrusive, it’s about being present, respectful, and ready. The more I shoot, the more I understand that confidence grows through action, not overthinking, every missed shot teaches me to be bolder the next time.

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

If I could collaborate with any photographer, it’d definitely be Abduljalil Attahir (Shutterman). I love his work a lot. His eyes, his style, the way he sees things, it just clicks with me. I feel like if the two of us teamed up, we’d cook up something crazy. Like, real visual poetry. It’s one of those collabs where I already know the vibes would be strong and the results would speak for themselves.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?

One piece of advice I’d give to anyone just starting out in photography is this: the only way to get better is to keep taking pictures. Seriously, practice is everything. You can watch all the tutorials and read all the guides, but nothing beats just picking up your camera and shooting, over and over again.

Don’t let comparison steal your joy. Everyone has a different photographic eye, what catches your attention might not catch someone else’s, and that’s the whole point. Don’t downplay your shots just because someone else’s work looks “better.” You’re not trying to be them,you’re trying to find your voice, your vision.

And remember, photography is kind of like a loose science, yeah, there are rules, but they’re more like suggestions. Learn them, sure, but don’t follow them so strictly that you forget to experiment or express yourself. Some of the best shots come from breaking the rules on purpose.