Meet Roger Bope: the Photographer Crafting Stories Frame by Frame with Film
Photo: Zane Qureshi
Can you introduce yourself & tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi Family, my name is Roger Bope and I’m a 21-year-old photographer that lives in the heart of Adelaide. I like to say I’m into fitness as well when I’m not doing photography, but sometimes I don’t go to the gym for a month.
How did you first get into photography?
I got into photography because I wanted to take photos for my clothing brand and then after a while of playing with the camera, I figured out I just like taking photos and doing portraits of people.
How would you describe your style of photography?
My photography does not really have a style, I do not try to push one thing in every picture, I believe in taking the picture that must be taken and telling the story that has to be told. But some things that I unconsciously tend to have in my pictures is depth and emotions.
How has the way you take photos evolved over the years?
It is hard to pinpoint when I evolved in the way I take photos in the last year, I just started to make mood boards before shoots this year and that has been super helpful. When I started taking photos, last year I focused a lot on getting the vision out at shoots, but now I’m learning to be open-minded.
Do you have any favourite photographers?
My favourite photographers are Peter Lindbergh, Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton, Jack Davison and Renell Medrano.
Photography or videography?
I prefer Photography, however, I am looking to get into videography later on in my career when I feel like I have a good hand at photography.
What camera gear do you use?
I use a Nikon f5/ Nikon f3 and a canon 90d
Do you shoot film or digital?
I shoot both film and digital. When I’m shooting film, my favourite film stock is Kodak Portra 400.
Are you currently studying or working at the moment? If so, what?
I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Social Work at Flinders University
What/Who inspires you?
What inspires me is just the ability to be able to breathe every day and do what I’m able to do because not many people get the opportunity that I have.
What is your creative process when planning out a shoot?
My creative process starts with a prayer, and then I like to flick through National Geographic books from the ’70s to the ’90s. After that, I go on Pinterest to find inspiration. The end of my process includes finding clothing and then checking for locations.
What’s your music taste like?
My music taste consists of every genre, but at the moment I have been listening to a lot of John Mayer, Jay-Z, Avril Lavigne, Boy Pablo and N.E.R.D.
Do you have a favourite film and/or TV show?
My favourite films are Interstellar, Inception, 1917, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Toy Story 3, Blade Runner 2049, Spider-Man 2, Django Unchained, Avenger’s Infinity War, and The Matrix. My favourite TV shows now are Sex and the City, The Boys, Mandalorian, Riverdale and all the Marvel TV shows on Disney Plus.
Do you have any advice you’d give to your younger self or someone who wants to pursue a career like yours?
My advice to my younger self and anyone interested in my career is to do what you like and do it with a purpose, and make sure your intentions are pure.
Finally, where can people find you?
People can find me on Instagram and YouTube, my Instagram name is @roger.lovee and my YouTube name is Roger Malu.
