Waheed Wale is a Nigerian photographer and visual artist based in Lagos, Nigeria. He is known for his vibrant and colorful images that capture the beauty of everyday life in Nigeria.
Born in Lagos, Waheed developed an interest in photography at a young age. He began taking pictures of his family and friends, and soon realized that he had a passion for capturing moments. After completing his secondary school education, Waheed decided to pursue photography as a career.
In 2012, Waheed enrolled in the New York Film Academy where he studied photography and filmmaking. During this time, he developed an interest in documentary photography and began to explore the streets of Lagos to capture its unique culture and people. His work has been featured in several publications including The Guardian, BBC News Africa, CNN Africa, and The New York Times.
In addition to his documentary work, Waheed also works as a commercial photographer for brands such as Nike, Samsung, Guinness Nigeria, and MTN Nigeria. He has also collaborated with several international artists including Wizkid and Davido on music videos and album covers.
Waheed’s work has been exhibited at galleries around the world including the National Museum of African Art in Washington D.C., the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History & Culture in New York City, the Tate Modern in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. In 2020 he was awarded the prestigious Prix Pictet award for his series “The Unseen” which explores themes of identity through portraiture.
Waheed continues to use his art to tell stories about life in Nigeria while inspiring others to pursue their dreams no matter where they come from or what their background is.