Today, spotlight is on young and talented photographer Oluwatosin Kehinde Gbela, Lead visualist and owner of Finesse Photography.
Burj Khalifa- Presently the tallest building in the world
“I actually started Photography unknowingly”, Gbela says of his passion. I can’t put a date to it, but I know that my father was a major inspiration, because he let me play with his camera when I was younger. I remember at age 14, I took all my big sister’s wedding photos in film, with his camera, and to encourage me, he developed the film for me.
Although he is majorly known as a Photographer, Gbela holds an OND in Civil Engineering, and also a BSC in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, and probably would still do his MSc in Geotechnics, but he is very competent at Creative still photography, Creative Motion Photography (cinematography), Digital Branding and Graphics, and very passionate about it. He recounts once writing Engr Gbela at the footer of an email, and the recipient was quite confused.
Still younger than 30, the father of an amazing child, and husband of a stunning lady as he puts it has been a Professional Visualist for 5 years now. Awards won and major gigs gotten are sources of encouragement for him to keep pushing boundaries. After 4years on the photography job, Gbela landed his first award (INDIAFRICA Photography Contest 2011-12 Winner) On winning the award, he says luck was a factor. “My pretty wife’s photograph won it for me. I won my category in West Africa…. and also some couple of sweet dollars came with it. I have changed my mobile number, don’t try calling me now” :)
Photo of Gbela’s wife that won him his first award
Tosin has had a roller coaster time being a Visualist. He covers everything from weddings to modelling shoots, video shoots, nature, still life. Events where you would love to relive moments, even when they have long passed. He directed Next Movie Star 2013 Montage Video Shoot, and Finesse Photography is the official Photography partner for the reality television programme. If you have ever seen the Celepretties video on TV, he is the oga at the top behind it. If you haven’t you can click here to watch http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qShtD43GhLA
Tosin’s goal is to put a smile on people’s faces through visuals, to evoke happy emotions, and ultimately to have a successful photography school where he can give back to the society, but in the mean time, he lectures on the art of Photography at the NESBURG School of Business Management headquartered in South Africa, from Maryland, Lagos. In his spare time, he blogs at www.lutosin-gbela.blogspot.com. You can also add him on BBM 2B1AADBA. No midnight pinging though. He has wife and pikin :) Visit www.finessephotography.org or on Facebook www.facebook.com/finessephotographiee
Good luck on the journey ahead Tosin, I celebrate you.
It is quite difficult to get photos of Tosin, since he’s usually behind the camera anyway, but there’s this one of him, even on his wedding day :)
See more incredible shots by Gbela below













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