CHRISTINA NWABUGO

In partnership with Squarespace

In Christina Nwabugo’s work there’s a sense she’s an artist who is deeply connected to the natural world. Whether she’s shooting a commercial campaign, a music video or creating a personal project you’ll find lush green settings dripping in juicy rich fruit and velvet-like flowers.

At a time when we’ve all been unable to travel and appreciate the beauty of nature beyond our local parks or window boxes, the photography of Christina Nwabugo has been the most delicious escape.

During lockdown when most of us were pounding the same concrete streets, Christina was exploring Hackney on her bike, capturing the ponds, rivers and marshes that punctuate that area of London in her own, unmistakable style. Giving her audience the chance to momentarily escape the reality of life in lock-down.

Currently in Jamaica, Christina has been expanding her practice and focusing her camera on the fascinating people she meets. In this series, we meet Mrs Betty, an orchid farmer Christina met in Kingston, Jamaica. We spoke to Christina about the experience of photographing Mrs Betty, what these images mean to her and how she finds freedom in nature.

What are you always aiming for in your work?

My work shows that we humans are in a symbiotic relationship with nature and reminds us cosmopolitans via lush green visuals that it’s important to return to what brings us peace. I want to show nature off. To give people a space to relax, enjoy and regenerate.

How did you approach the brief of photographing the essence or feeling of freedom?

On my travels, in Jamaica, I’d booked a place to stay at the Orchid cottage in Kingston and met Mrs Betty, an Orchid farmer. She made me feel relaxed during my stay and we told each other stories about our communal love for plants.

As an orchid farmer, her essence blossomed from the first time we met. She talked me through all of the unique orchids that she sells around the world. Mrs Betty is quite reserved; she’d rather focus on the flora, so I aimed to show her as she moved through her typical day tending to the garden that feeds her family. I wanted to explore how we can be more connected to nature and build a legacy through plants.

What online tools have you found helpful as a photographer?

I’ve been able to share my nature photographs easily and regularly with my audience via my Squarespace site.

When do you feel most free?

Eating from the land is freedom. I feel most free when I can pluck breadfruit, mango and ackee off the tree with my friends on a coconut farm.

One day I hope to have my own tropical fruit and veg farm. I see myself working from my farm with amazing wifi, of course! As a Nigerian British person finding a community in Jamaica where I’ve been based recently has been a treasure. There are long ancestral links between Nigeria and Jamaica if you think about it.

How do you maintain boundaries to ensure your freedom isn’t compromised – either in a work situation or in a personal relationship?

I am still learning and focusing on a work/life balance at the moment. I try to state what I need whilst making sure my clients get what they need. Everyone needs patience and grace to make it work.

Who or what represents freedom to you?

My ancestors are the reason why I’m free.

My great-grandfather was a photographer which has definitely helped shape my future vision to continue the marathon. My grandmother passed on her hard work ethic and beliefs to me. My Mother defied the status quo and expressed her true authentic self. All of these people represent freedom to me.

My friends have also taught me to delete the mental chokehold of imposter syndrome; this has been very freeing.

What’s your advice for anyone seeking to find freedom in their life?

Go out there and blossom into what you truly believe makes a great person.