In Conversation with Elena Adeniyi: Documenting Culture, One Frame at a Time
Hey! For those who may not be familiar with you or your work, please tell us your name, age, and a bit about yourself.
My name is Elena Adeniyi, though most people know me under the alias of “oluwa.jpg”. I’m a photographer, hair stylist under Siéko Studio, and co-creator of Lost Files, based in Brisbane, Australia.
My practice spans digital and film fashion and portrait photography, with a strong emphasis on creating soothing juxtapositions between my subjects and their environments.
How did you first get into photography? Was there a particular moment that made you fall in love with it?
I first got into photography back in high school, when I chose it as one of my subjects and that same year, my mum bought me my first camera, and I began taking photos of my friends and experimenting with whatever spaces we could find. It was kind of a growing feeling, the more I shot, the more I fell in love with the process, as it felt natural and very expressive
What tips would you give other photographers trying to be authentic and find their style?
It would be to practice constantly and permit yourself to explore. Try new styles, experiment with different mediums, and pay attention to what genuinely feels like you. The more you shoot, the clearer your visual voice becomes.
What is your go-to set-up at the moment — Camera, lighting, film (if you shoot it), etc.
It would be my new Canon R5 with the Godox V1 flash. I still love film, but at the moment I’m experimenting a lot more with digital and exploring how far I can take it in my current work.
Do you have a favourite project you’ve worked on or a favourite image you’ve shot?
My favourite project this year would have to be the IRUN KIKO series. It allowed me to tie my Yoruba heritage directly into the work, especially through the different traditional and contemporary hairstyling looks I recreated.
It was one of those projects where everything aligned
You recently released your photo book, ÀWÀNÍLÉ — could you tell us a little bit about that?
ÀWÀNÍLÉ is a project that’s incredibly close to my heart.
The name means “we have come home” in Yoruba, and the book is centred around the idea of returning to your roots, honouring the people, places, and cultural guardians who remain at home and continue to shape our identity.
I shot the entire project in Lagos, working closely with locals and capturing moments that reflect the creativity of home
Did you always want to write/create a book, or did it just happen?
Yes, I’ve always wanted to create a book. I’d actually been planning to make this book for the last three years. About two years ago, I was initially going to turn one of my earlier photo series, Character Study, into a book. But once I finished shooting it, I realised I wanted to explore something that felt deeper and closer to home, which eventually led me to Àwànílé
That said, Character Study still means a lot to me, and I can definitely see myself releasing it as a zine in the future. The desire to publish and create books has always been there.
Could you tell us about Lost Files?
Lost Files is an art advisory and curatorial collective that specialises in connecting communities. I run it with my mates David and Wool, but it’s also very much a community-driven ecosystem; there are so many branches to it, and so many of our friends have contributed and helped shape what it’s become.
At its core, Lost Files is about collaboration, culture, and creating spaces where people can see themselves represented. Whether it’s exhibitions, creative direction, community events, or multidisciplinary projects, the goal is always to bring people together and champion emerging voices.
Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by my friends, my family, and the people around me. Honestly, everything in my everyday life feeds into my work, conversations, music, culture, the places I move through, even small moments that don’t seem significant at first.
What does a typical day look like for Elena Adeniyi (if there even is one)?
No two days ever look the same, but on an average week, I usually split my time between my job at Laced, where I create content and shoot for the brand, and my other job, which keeps the rest of the week full.
Around that, I’m having meetings for Lost Files, catching up on editing, brainstorming new concepts, and planning wherever I’m travelling next, haha. And of course, I always make space to spend time with my friends and family ☺
Do you have any favourite albums or songs at the moment that are currently in your rotation?
Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of music from two Nigerian rappers, Mavo and Zaylevelten. Their sound has been in heavy rotation for me!
What are your thoughts on the Australian creative scene?
I think the Australian creative scene is growing so much right now, which is really exciting.
There’s an incredible amount of talent here, but there’s still a long way to go in terms of wider recognition and opportunities. I’d love to see more platforms and support for creatives so that the work being produced can reach bigger audiences both locally and internationally.
What’s next — any upcoming projects, publications, or exhibitions?
So I’m actually heading to Nigeria next week and will be there for about a month.
While I’m there, I’ll be working with some brands, curating a new photo series, and exploring ways to branch out even more creatively.
There’s a lot in the works, so plenty of updates to come!