Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko

Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko
Born1978 (age 47–48)
EducationMacromedia School of Art and Design, Osnabrück
OccupationPhotographer
Years active2005–present
Organization(s)Camara Studios, Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko (YAB)
Known forPhotography
Websiteyetundeayenibabaeko.com

Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko (born 1978) is a Nigerian photographer.[1]

Early life and background

Ayeni-Babaeko was born in Enugu, Eastern Region, Nigeria in 1978.[2] Her father was Nigerian and her mother was German. She moved to Germany as a child, attending secondary school there and completing a photography apprenticeship at Studio Be in Greven. In 2005 she returned to Nigeria. In 2007 she opened her own studio, Camara Studios,[1] based in Ikeja.[3]

Personal life

Ayeni-Babaeko is married to Steve Babaeko.[4][5] They got married in 2006 after their proposal in Germany, where Ayeni-Babaeko grew up. They now have three boys: Louis, Lamar, and Austin.[6]

Exhibitions and projects

Ayeni-Babaeko's 2014 exhibition 'Eko Moves', in collaboration with the Society for Performing Arts of Nigeria (SPAN), portrayed dancers in public spaces in Lagos.[7][8]

Her 2019 exhibition 'White Ebony' highlighted the situation of people with albinism.[9] The exhibition was shown at Temple Muse in Lagos and was timed to coincide with International Albinism Awareness Day. Ayeni-Babaeko worked with members of The Albino Foundation Lagos as part of the project, producing a series of photographs intended to document their lived experiences and social perceptions of albinism.[10]

Workshops and mentorship

Ayeni-Babaeko has facilitated photography workshops and training sessions, including programmes organised in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, focusing on photography practice and professional development. Participants have included emerging photographers from Nigeria.[11]

Recent activities

In 2025, Ayeni-Babaeko participated in photography projects including the Starke Frauen. Starkes Handwerk competition hosted by the Handwerkskammer Dortmund, featuring photo stories on women in craft and visual storytelling.[12]

She also documented cultural events such as the Abo Egungun Festival in Kogi State as part of her ongoing photography work.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b Maria Diamond, Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko, The Guardian, 23 February 2019. Accessed 15 May 2020.
  2. ^ Nigeria, Guardian (23 February 2019). "Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  3. ^ Elizabeth Ayoola, Meet the Boss: Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko, Camera Studios Archived 12 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Connect Nigeria, 21 January 2015. Accessed 15 May 2020.
  4. ^ omotolani (1 June 2017). "Steve Babaeko is a year older today". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Babaeko Makes Bold Entry into Farming – THISDAYLIVE". This Day. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  6. ^ Babaeko, Steve (23 September 2020). "Steve Babaeko: How One Of Africa's Biggest Advertising Executives Is Charting A New Path In Nigeria'". Steve Babaeko. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  7. ^ Connect Nigeria in Conversation with Yetunde Ayeni Babaeko on 'Eko Moves', Connect Nigeria, 8 December 2014. Accessed 15 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko Exhibitions". Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  9. ^ Photographer Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko spotlights Albinism with ‘White Ebony’, Premium Times, 23 May 2019. Accessed 15 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Yetunde Ayeni-Babaeko's White Ebony Raises Awareness of Albinism". Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  11. ^ "White Ebony press release" (PDF). Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  12. ^ "Starke Frauen.Starkes Handwerk". Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  13. ^ "Abo Egungun Festival". Retrieved 15 December 2025.