Today we’d like to introduce you to Ely Honkpo.
Hi Ely, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started photography on a Samsung phone back in 2016, just experimenting and capturing what inspired me. I didn’t get my first camera until 2018, and that’s when my passion really started to take shape. What began as curiosity turned into a deep love for storytelling through images, and I committed myself to learning, practicing, and growing with every opportunity.
The path hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had to balance side jobs, financial struggles, and moments of doubt. But those challenges pushed me to become more disciplined, resourceful, and creative. Over time, I’ve been able to work with brands, artists, and people I once looked up to, which reminds me how far I’ve come.
Today, I’m still hungry to grow, still a student, and still a rookie of a limitless game. My vision is to create powerful, timeless work that connects with people, documents culture, and inspires others to chase their own paths, just like I did starting with nothing more than a phone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I first started, I didn’t have access to the best equipment or resources, just a Samsung phone and determination. Even after getting my first camera in 2018, financial struggles made it hard to invest in gear, studios, or consistent opportunities. But beyond the financial side, one of the hardest challenges was finding close people who truly saw my vision beyond what they could see at the time. Not everyone understood where I was headed, and that made the journey feel isolating at times.
Balancing side jobs, debt, and the pressure to prove myself also created moments of doubt. Still, those challenges taught me resilience, patience, and how to create even when resources or support were limited. Overcoming those obstacles has shaped me into the artist I am today and made me value the people who do believe in me even more.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a fashion and portrait photographer, art director, creative director, and producer. My work focuses on blending editorial-level quality with authenticity, capturing not just how someone looks, but the emotion, story, and energy behind them. I specialize in fashion campaigns, editorial shoots, and conceptual projects that highlight individuality and culture in striking, cinematic ways.
I’m most proud of being able to create with limited resources and still deliver work that feels polished and timeless. That resourcefulness has allowed me to collaborate with major brands, influencers, and artists while still staying true to my vision.
What sets me apart is my ability to merge technical skill with storytelling and production. I don’t just take pictures, I create full experiences, overseeing everything from concept to execution, and making sure every detail feels intentional. For me, every project is an opportunity to make people feel seen, powerful, and unforgettable.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me truly happy is gratitude. The ability to pause and recognize the beauty in what I already have. Happiness, to me, isn’t found in chasing the next milestone or achievement, but in appreciating the simple moments, creating with what’s in my hands, the people who genuinely believe in me, the progress I’ve made, and the chance to wake up each day with purpose.
Gratitude turns even struggles into lessons and makes small victories feel monumental. It reminds me that joy isn’t something far away, it’s something present, alive, and accessible when I choose to see life as a gift.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elyhonkpo
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ely-honkpo-064908239
Image Credits
1. Dion Williams for PUMA shot and directed by Ely Honkpo
2. Bella Yorke & Naomi Glaze by Ely Honkpo
3. Riley Simpson by Ely Honkpo
4. Ahmad Bakhoum by Ely Honkpo
5. Chiara Roberts by Ely Honkpo
6. Justin Amini by Ely Honkpo
7. MJ Pavon by Ely Honkpo
8. Iris Cho by Ely Honkpo
