With a strong affinity for 35mm film, photographer Dolapo Olasimbo is drawing from the influences of music, fashion and events to document and present immersive experiences. Dolapo sees photography as a visual extension of personhood and identity, and as a way to highlight the spontaneous moments of joy and happiness in life. During the current climate, which has greatly affected live events, Dolapo has utilised the time during lockdown to manifest creativity, whilst reflecting on a portfolio that brings visibility to UK rave culture and centres creativity. This interview explores Dolapo’s creative background and practice, influences, concepts and themes, conveying personalities through portraiture, and what 2021 holds for the photographer.

NAHUEL CONTRERASCould you tell me a bit about your creative background? What initially attracted you to the medium of photography? DOLAPO OLASIMBO From a young age I was fascinated with photography; I love capturing memories and experiences, and I love getting creative. I got my first camera when I was 15 and I started experimenting with disposable cameras and photography. It was very therapeutic for me. NCWho are your influences and how do they impact your practice and style? DOI love Estevan Oriol. He inspired me to start shooting Black and White film a few years ago. NCWhen you’re looking at a photograph, what engages you? DOPersonality and mood engages me. I love seeing a photograph and understanding how the subject/model feels or what they are representing. NCI enjoyed your series, “Life During The Pandemic: Filmed Experiences” and the creative perspectives you documented and highlighted. How has lockdown and moments of introspection impacted your creative production? DOThank you. Lockdown has definitely impacted my creative production; I've had to navigate around the lockdown rules. Not being able to do photoshoots has pushed a lot of artists to try new things. I did a few FaceTime shoots, which were really fun and still allowed me to get creative. Most of my photoshoots were postponed and I'm still figuring out dates with my clients. In the meantime I've been watching a lot of films, exploring cinematography and jotting down ideas for future photoshoots. NCLike much of your work, the series was also shot on film - with the preservation and proliferation of analogue photography continuing to propagate, have you always shot on 35mm film? DOYes, all of my photography is shot on film. I started shooting film when I was 16. NCIs your creative practice a way to explore and express your own identity and experiences? If so, how? DOMusic and rave culture are big parts of my identity and the experiences I've had. This is reflected in my photography as a lot of my work includes music and event photography and covers different subcultures that I resonate with. Some examples include the DnB scene and the Alternative UK Hip-hop scene. NCWhen documenting social scenes such as live events, what elements are you looking to capture? DOI want to capture whatever is going on at the event at the time. I'm looking to capture the guy who drank too much, the couple holding hands and the girl who was skanking by the bar. I want to capture moments and experiences we all have when we go to events. NCWhat would you like your work to evoke in viewers? DOI want my photography to expose and promote upcoming local designers, singers, rappers and DJs. NCSo much of your photography captures the lived experiences of the subjects depicted. How do you choose your sitters, and do you find it beneficial to establish a relationship as a prerequisite to photographing them? DOMany of my friends model and are into creating and designing. For the last few years I have worked on projects with them. It is definitely great to know the subjects before photographing them because you do feel extra comfortable. However, I don't think it makes a massive difference; as long as the person I'm photographing has told me what they want us to create, and we're on the same page. NCWhat do you think makes a good portrait? DOGood lighting, a background that compliments the subject and a portrait that grabs a viewer’s attention and makes the viewer feel many things. NCA lot of your images incorporate fashion and style, seemingly as a medium of self-expression. How would you define the concepts and themes that shape your photography? DOThe concepts and themes that shape my photography mainly involve freedom, youth, beauty, honesty and passion. The themes and concepts I focus on depend on the project I'm doing. I recently photographed DJ Gift of The Gab and I was focused on capturing her passion for Drum and Bass. NCThe essence of youth culture and individuality runs prevalent in your images. Is the process of capturing a personality spontaneous, or do you construct how you want them to pose? DOWhen I photograph events I prefer taking candid and spontaneous photographs. Sometimes, I will ask people to relax and then pose. Either way I can still grasp their personality. When I'm doing fashion photography and projects, the process of capturing models is less spontaneous. I normally show models how I want them to pose and I will give directions based on how I want them to look in the photographs. NCYour portfolio reflects an appreciation for capturing the fleeting moments of joy and happiness in life. Is narrative and storytelling important within your work? DONarrative and storytelling are very important within my work because I want to share different stories, evoke feelings and inspire others. NCWhat has been your favourite project to work on and why? DOMy favourite project I've worked on is the Echo Me, As the World Look book I did with Millie the Minx. I think that project has some of the best photographs I have ever taken. NCWhat do you hope to achieve in 2021? DOIn 2021, I have more photoshoots, collaborations and projects on the way. I also want to start selling photography prints.