Edition 1/50 - Embrace, London, UK - Fine art print Photograph

My name is Pamela Aminou, I am a black and white fine art photographer based in London. I was born in Cotonou, in the Republic of Benin, and have been living in London for the past twenty years. I am grateful to this city for introducing me to art, expanding my knowledge and helping me to develop my skills. Although most of my work uses architecture as the subject, to call it architectural photography would be a simplification. We are surrounded by architecture; it makes up our home, offices and so much more. However, we walk through our streets without really noticing their beauty or appreciating their rich history. My love of art and photography has blessed me with the eyes to see and, more importantly, experience life and my environment differently. My aim is to use this blessing to capture the splendour and uniqueness of what others may overlook. Through my images, I try to shape my own reality and convey what I feel using light and shadow. For me, it is almost like capturing the aura around a subject. I echo what Henri Matisse said, “what I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter – a soothing, calming influence on the mind.” My interest in aesthetics and how we shape the world around us is reflected in my choice of subjects: each documents our generation, growth and connection to the environment. Every subject in my work has its own story and I use my vision to try to tell it to the world. Though I have learnt so much from my peers and the photography masters, I do not seek to follow trends or copy others. Instead, I am inspired and guided by stories, beauty, emotions, and my instinct, which I learned to follow early in life. Through this drive, I create work that is bold, graphic and captures my own unique view of the world. I am not afraid to bend the rules of convention to create something new and daring, and I hope you will share in this philosophy as it guides me on the various series I embark on.