Introducing the successful recipient of Navigator North’s 2026 Studio Bursary – Ayodeji Faturoti. Professionally known as Zebra Photography, he is an International award-winning visual storyteller, creative entrepreneur, and multimedia director whose work spans commercial, corporate, and fashion photography across Africa and beyond.
With an academic background in History and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos, Ayodeji is currently expanding his global media perspective as a Digital Media and Communications student at Teesside University, United Kingdom. This interdisciplinary foundation informs his strategic, narrative-driven approach to visual storytelling.
Largely self-taught, Ayodeji developed his craft through years of hands-on professional practice. His journey has shaped a strong dedication to youth empowerment and capacity building, demonstrated through photography workshops and mentorship initiatives designed to equip emerging creatives with practical photography, retouching, and editing skills. His long-term vision is to scale these initiatives and create sustainable creative ecosystems. His achievements have been recognized through multiple prestigious awards, including:
- Africa Companies of the Year Awards – Rising Enterprise Category (2024)
- Lagos Entrepreneur Award – Photographer of the Year (2024)
- Icons Noble Award – Photographer of the Year (2024)
- African Fashion Entrepreneur Award – African Fashion Photographer of the Year (2024)
- 25Under25 Award – Photography Brand of the Year (2023)
We are delighted to be supporting Ayodeji with this bursary which includes a studio for a year, opportunities to share his work with wider audiences, skills development and building regional networks.
Visit his Instagram page here for more images of his work – @ayodeji_faturoti
