Charles with the eagle eye

What is your name?

My name is Awelewa Charles

What do you do?

I am a visual storytelling photographer/a photo artist. I tell stories by putting seemingly unrelated elements together to form a body of art that conveys emotion. I capture emotions and preserve them in a body of art.

How long have you been in photography?

I have been a photographer for 6 years. 3 years with a phone. 3 years with a digital camera.

Why photography? What drew you to it?

As a quiet kid, talking to the paper with a pen was my way of coping with my personal burden. It somehow made me feel better. I left writing for a long time because I was swallowed up with science, until an unfortunate incident happened. My mind was clouded, and I needed an outlet. I tried to write but the pen failed me because I left it for too long. I started turning words into photos to ease off when I discovered the power that lies in photography. With photography, you can capture emotions that you have no words for.

What does it mean to “preserve emotions in a body of art”?

To preserve emotions in a body of art is to freeze time in a frame. A photo art that reminds you of a familiar emotion, a place you have been, or dream to be. I work around that, and I photograph that feeling forever.

Describe yourself with a movie scene or quote.

An accurate quote will be “I did not conquer the land with my sword; it was not my strong arm that gave me victory. It was your right hand and strong arm that gave me victory, for you love me” That sums up my life story. God is the real cook behind the scenes.

Can you share a moment when your art made someone feel truly seen?

I’ve had more than I can remember but one that I constantly think about is a note from a lady from South Africa. She said these exact words “I cannot tell you how much your art opens me up to certain mysteries about myself I never fathomed accessible. It is rare yet so beautiful” It is hard to forget that.

What do you think makes a stranger’s story feel familiar? And Is there a common thread?

you find in the people you connect with? A stranger’s story doesn’t always feel familiar. That’s the thrill of it. Most times you hear new revelations in the rawest form. Conversations that deepens your perspective to life; conversations that heal your soul. The common threads I find in people who I connect with are those who have “ridiculous” dreams that keep them going; and those who wear their heart on their sleeves, at least to me. That’s bravery.

How do you decide when a moment is worth capturing? Is it instinct, or do you look for something specific?

Sometimes, I go on photo walks with a specific emotion in mind to photograph. Other times, I just feel it, and I trust the feeling enough to not question it. Then I take it “Click click”

What’s the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) project you’ve worked on?

Personally, “A Boy Can Dream” - A story of a young boy from a small town who believes in the existence of a much bigger future. It might not be as elaborate as “Present Day Simulation” or evocative as “Bare - Innocence” but I connect with it the most. It tells not just my story but that of others who are starting out with nothing or less, and all they can do is dream.

Walk us through your creative process. How do you approach a shoot?

It starts with a feeling. Then I make rough sketches of every element from the inanimate, to humans, old conversations, to a place that fits into that feeling. In my mind, they all come together like scattered puzzle pieces into a frame. Sometimes it takes months to find the missing pieces and place them right. However, some ideas are formed and made almost immediately.

If your photography could send one message to someone who feels lost or misunderstood, what would it be?

If you are misunderstood by people, it doesn’t matter. Sometimes, it takes years to be understood but first you’ll look “foolish” then later you’ll be called a genius. If you feel lost, actively searching for a way out could expand the creative limits of your mind. You can take advantage of that disadvantage.

Photography is a form of storytelling. How do you use your work to tell stories?

I tell stories through the inanimate and animate in tandem. I ask questions like “How do you photograph despair?” “How do you photograph euphoria?” “How do you photograph an emotion you have no words for?” and I use the question as a yardstick to photograph that. Through photography, I also express how I feel towards certain topics like technology in “Present Day Simulation” and the education system in “INDUSTRY MACHINE”

What is your favourite thing about being a photographer?

Beautiful strangers. Being an artist has connected me with the most amazing supportive souls.

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing?

I would be a scientist and a prolific writer.

In a world where so much is curated for social media, how do you keep your art honest?

I believe creating for yourself is the best way to go. We all have different genetic make ups, so it is scientifically proven that absolutely no one can be exactly like you. Not even your twin. Create for you first. Over time, your tribe will naturally gravitate towards you.

A photographer or visual artist you totally admire?

A photographer I admire is Levithegrapher. Amidst the odds in Lagos, the stories he tells are incredible. One for the history books. I hope he never stops.

What is next for you? Any exciting projects coming up?

Something is definitely cooking. And also, there just might be a 2nd “The Art of storytelling” workshop coming up.