The INSPIRER The-INSPIRER-02 | Page 6

PAGE 6 CAPTURING AFRICA WITH PASSION INTERVIEW WITH KAFUI PRAISE (Matilda Dogbatsey) Who is Kafui Praise? Matilda Dogbatsey (Brand Name: Kafui Praise) is the name. My background is characterised by struggles and misfortunes growing up. I am a self-made Professional. I am from the Volta Region of Ghana, the second of four children, born to Michael Dogbatsey of blessed memory and Madam Mabel Adjorlolo.I attended Tema Senior High School, Global Computers and Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders. As for Photography, I taught myself and took a few lessons from some mentors and friends. How it all started My venturing into Photography was born out of the pleasure and love for taking pictures of myself as a hobby. I thought I’d become a model since I was always the subject in front of the lens. Walking into any photography studio was an almost everyday thing to take as many photographs of myself as possible just for the fun of it. My love for the pictures drew me closer to the camera; intrigued by the art and science of it, I ventured into it. That’s how Kafui Praise photography started’ BY NANA OFOSU BOAKYE Kafui Praise is an  award winning photographer and one of the few professional female photographers making waves in Ghana for the excellence and passion she attaches to her work. We spoke to her to learn more about her journey The journey Getting into Photography has been very challenging. I didn’t have the opportunity to further my education as much as I had wanted to. I declined to continue to work in the family business which also brought lots of challenges from extended family. I didn’t attend any special school to become a Photographer. I had to decide against all odds to pursue my dreams. There was absolutely no established foundation, no formal education for a certificate in Photography and I had to struggle to get my camera. I was given the option of either managing the family business or moving out of the family members’ house if I choose photography. Guess what I choose? Photography. Because of that, I had to move out and live on my own, so while trying to find my way with photography I had to find a way to survive and make ends meet. It wasn’t ea