In a world saturated with images, some photographers have, through their lens, managed to create work that is deeply rooted in the minds of people.
One of such visual storytellers is Tobi Oluwarotimi, professionally known as Loba, a Nigerian portrait photographer whose work is rapidly gaining attention for striking creativity with artistry and authenticity.
His journey behind the camera began in 2014 as a quiet fascination; capturing sunsets and everyday beauty with his phone. While still in school, life provided him with a chance to accompany a friend to a makeup artist interview that led to a life-changing encounter.
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There, he met Mr. Motayo, who generously lent him a camera for three months. That experience deeply shaped his approach to photography, giving him the tools to explore his creativity more intentionally.
But it wasn’t until 2016, when a spontaneous portrait session with his sister went viral, that Loba truly recognised his gift, which is using photography to tell powerful human stories and spark imagination.
“I have always loved telling stories,” Loba says. “Portrait photography lets me do that through people by capturing their emotions, expressions, and experiences. Advertising photography challenges me differently, to bring a brand’s vision to life while still staying creative.”
Inspired deeply by Nigerian culture and history as well as lives, colours, textures, expressions, and it shows in every frame. From commissioned campaigns to quiet portraits, his work consistently tells stories that feel both grounded and emotionally rich.
He credits his upbringing and shows like Nat Geo World for fueling his love for visual storytelling, particularly the type that reflects and preserves African memory. What makes Loba stand out is its ability to fuse the personal and professional.
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Now, with a new project on the horizon, Loba is hitting the road across West Africa and other continents as a travel storyteller to document the culture, history, and spirit of its people.
This journey is a personal one for him, and he hopes it contributes to the wider archive of African stories that are told from within, not outside.
Whether it’s a fashion-forward campaign or a quiet portrait framed by natural light, Loba’s photography offers more than just a visual moment to offer feeling, truth and connection.
As the visual arts continue to shape cultural narratives and commerce, talents like Loba show that the camera, in the right hands, becomes more than a tool. It becomes a vessel of memory, beauty, and meaning.
