Six years ago I photographed at Karu Waterfalls with a group of fellow creatives. The location left a lasting impression on me. A quiet reminder that some places never really leave you. I always knew I would return.

Recently I finally had the time to revisit it. This time with my team. The idea was to create something that felt both sacred and fashionable. A space where beauty and presence meet the divine.

My original concept involved a white fabric. A clean symbol of divinity. But on the day of the shoot, the stylist could not come through with the outfit. Rather than let that derail the vision, I went back to my box of old materials and found a red fabric I had not touched in years. It was worn and imperfect, but it felt right. Emma Nuel quickly got to work, hand-stitching the torn sections with a simple needle and thread. It came back to life.

We were already racing against time to get to Karu, but the journey was smooth. The light was soft when we arrived. Perfect for the kind of quiet storytelling I had in mind.

Mirabel, the model, brought the image to life. She moved with ease, connected with the environment, and embodied the quiet strength we were aiming for. The cowries in her hair became more than an accessory. They became symbols of memory, meaning, and power.

This was not just a shoot. It was a return. A reminder. Maybe even a small act of reverence.

Photography: Seun Oderinde
Model: Mirabel
Makeup: BlushedbyEfa
Hairstylist: Emmanuel Sunday
Location: Karu Waterfalls, Abuja