One of the hardest realities is understanding that passion alone is not enough —Anicho Stella

Anicho Stella is a photographer of repute but she sees photography as more than just pictures. To her, it is a way of showing genuine care for people, stories, and impact by using her gifts to inspire, empower, and create meaningful change. In this interview with ADEOLA OJO, she speaks on her journey, evolution, gender issues in photography and working as personal photographer to a politician among other issues.

How did your journey as a female photographer start?

Photography actually started as a fashion statement for me. At first, I thought it would be cool to blend being a photographer with being a fashion lover. But over time, it became much deeper. It became a way for me to understand life from different perspectives, amplify voices, and connect deeply with people’s realities. What started as style gradually became purpose.

Is there a specific moment it stopped being just photography but something deeper?

Yes, there was. It happened when I started documenting different stories, travelling to places, and truly understanding people and life. I realised photography is more than just creating beautiful images. A camera, when handled intentionally, has the power to shift narratives, create empathy, and give visibility to people who are often unseen. It can spark conversations that truly matter. That was when I understood that this work carries responsibility. From that point, photography became a tool for impact and advocacy for me.

How do you navigate the photography space which is still a largely male-dominated space?

It honestly hasn’t always been easy as a woman in this field, especially in a state where the creative industry is still growing; one of the ways I have learned to navigate the space is by making sure I consistently produce results. The cliché that women are weak is something I never allow around me. If everyone is expected to stand for five hours on a job, I make sure I’m equal to the task. I’ve learnt that sometimes you have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously, but I let my consistency, professionalism, and work ethic speak for me. Being a woman in this space has taught me resilience, confidence and the importance of owning my voice. I also believe it’s important to create room for other women coming behind me, so they can believe they belong here too.

What influenced the birth of Her Bold Tribe which has become a strong extension of your work, what kind of impact are you trying to create through it?

Her Bold Tribe was born from a very personal conviction, that is the need to create spaces where women and girls, especially those from underserved communities and women living with disabilities, can be seen, heard, empowered, and celebrated. Through my journey as a photographer and storyteller, I kept meeting incredibly talented women with powerful stories, creative gifts, and business ideas who lacked visibility, mentorship, opportunities, and sometimes even the confidence to believe in themselves because society had constantly made them feel excluded. I knew there had to be a platform that changed that narrative.

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That vision gave birth to HerLens Cohort 1, our first major project under Her Bold Tribe and honestly, it became bigger than we imagined. HerLens was created as a documentary visual storytelling accelerator designed to empower young women through photography, storytelling, practical learning, mentorship, and community building. But beyond teaching photography, our goal was to build a community of bold female voices, photographers, and storytellers who are unafraid to document the world around them and tell authentic African stories.

The response to the program was incredible. We received over 150 applications, and selected participants across both online and physical cohorts. The virtual training sessions focused on documentary storytelling, photography, creative development and visual communication, while the physical bootcamp gave participants practical field experience and real-world exposure. One of the most exciting parts of the program was the physical bootcamp, which we organised in collaboration with Canon. Having a global brand like Canon believe in our vision was deeply encouraging because it showed that the work we are doing has real value and potential. The bootcamp also featured a powerful photowalk led by My Eti-Inyene, the Guinness World Record holder for the largest photowalk in Africa. That experience was transformational for many participants because it exposed them to documentary fieldwork, storytelling in motion, and the discipline required to create meaningful visual narratives. One of the proudest moments for me was our graduation and exhibition ceremony at Paradise Crystal Hotel, Umuahia. The participants didn’t just learn photography — they created meaningful documentary work powerful enough to be exhibited publicly. We selected and showcased 23 documentary photography pieces, and every single piece sold out during the exhibition. Watching these young women move from learning to exhibiting and selling their work was emotional because it proved that talent only needs visibility and opportunity to thrive.

You focus on women and girls who are often overlooked. What were you seeing that others weren’t paying attention to?

Working directly with grassroots communities in my state opened my eyes to so much hidden potential. For example, I met a visually impaired woman who produces perfume and graduated as the best student in a school filled with people who could see. Stories like that changed my perspective completely. I saw women with dreams, talents, and strength who simply lacked opportunity, exposure, or encouragement. Society often celebrates only a certain kind of success, while many people quietly struggle to be recognised. I was drawn to them because I understand what it feels like to want someone to believe in you. Sometimes, all people need is visibility, support, and someone willing to say, “You matter too.”

You work within the government space as the personal photographer to the First Lady of Abia State. How has that space influenced your perspective or expanded what you’re able to do?

One of my greatest blessings is not just working as an official photographer, but working within a government that truly places its people first. Beyond being my workplace, it has become a training ground for me. It has taught me that real leadership is service, and true influence is about creating sustainable impact. Working in that space has given me firsthand opportunities to witness and engage in initiatives that directly affect women, children, and communities. It has strengthened my understanding that storytelling and visibility are powerful tools for development and advocacy.

What have been some of the hardest realities you faced building something like this?

One of the hardest realities is understanding that passion alone is not enough. Building meaningful work requires sacrifice, emotional strength, consistency, and carrying responsibilities people don’t always see. There are moments of exhaustion, self-doubt, financial pressure, and trying to keep showing up despite a very demanding schedule, even when things feel uncertain. But I’ve learned that purpose requires endurance. Watching the lives and dedication of the people I work closely with continues to inspire and encourage me to keep going, even on difficult days.

What do you want your work and your voice to stand for?

I want my work and my voice to stand for impact, authenticity, and empowerment. I want people to remember that I used my platform to challenge stereotypes and break the idea that certain spaces or professions belong to only one gender. I want people to see the ability in everyone and embrace inclusivity. Beyond the photographs, I want my legacy to be about lives touched, confidence restored, and doors opened for women and young girls to dream bigger, become bolder, and believe in themselves.