Despite switching to music: Former photographer, Relly Ebini, recounts gains, says craft still profitable.

In an exclusive chat with The Guardian Post, Ebini who was into photography for 13 uninterrupted years, recounted the gains he made in life thanks to the craft. Ebini considers his time as a photographer full of successes.

To earn a decent living from photography nowadays, he prescribed focus and termination as virtues required.

Thanks to photography, Ebini disclosed that he was able to sponsor himself at the undergraduate level, buy a land, build a house and got married.

“The money I made while serving as a photographer helped me pay my rents, fed me during my early years in the university. Photography has enabled me acquire a land, car, built my house, gotten married to my beautiful wife, further my master’s degree studies and now I am pursuing my PhD,” he detailed.

Reflecting in nostalgia, Ebini said as it is often said, the “eye of the camera does not tell a lie. Being in a photographer has been the best moments of my life”.

The native of Mamfe, Manyu Division of the South West Region, said he engaged in photography in 2009 while studying in the University of Yaounde II, Soa. In 2023, he put an end to his journey in the world of photography.

Why switch to music?

On why he stopped photography, Ebini said it was “…because it interferes with my present career in music. You cannot be a stage performing artiste and taking pictures at the same time. That may discredit you. So, for me to package myself before the many people I minister my songs to, I chose to stopped photography”.

He expressed delight that he was able to train several young people who have continued in his footsteps.

Unforgettable moments

Looking back to his hey days in photography, Ebini cited some special moments. 

“Photography has taken me to so many places and placed me on so many platforms,” he remarked, underscoring that: “In one of my photographic sessions, the Financial Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, after realising that I was a photographer, musician and student all at the same time, gave me a badge to be the official cameraman in all official events at the Synod Office in Buea”.

Hurdle in journey as photographer 

Irrespective of the great things photography brought his way, Ebini regretted that till date, he still has unclaimed pictures plus debts clients owe him. 

“Despite the fortune I amassed in photography, it was also challenging. I have eighty enlargements in the house I made for people but till now they haven’t called to get it. Throughout my photography profession, people still owe me close to 800,000 FCFA,” Ebini disclosed.

Mentoring others, using knowledge in music business

Though into music now, Ebini told The Guardian Post that given his experience as a photographer, he is ready to continue mentoring others. This, he said, is to enable those in contemporary photography go through challenges hitch free

“My knowledge in photography has been of great help to my musical career. I assist my video editor select the types of images to use and the angle in directing videos,” he stated. 

Ebini said he started music career in 2015 with Temple Choir Molyko Buea. With interest in culture, he disclosed that from being a soloist in 2019, he has been able to produce two albums of seven and 12 songs each.

His Moninkim tracks like: Moh Nkwo Abvê, song of the tiger; Ekere Mghe, house of culture and Ngoreh Manyu, Manyu woman, are amongst the most popular of his works. 

Like it was with photography, Ebini said he is also counting on the backing and inspiration of God to succeed in music.

By Cyprain Bekhali (Journalism student on internship)

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3214 of Friday August 30, 2024