Omar Victor Diop: The newbie photographer who went pro

Nick Parker and Daisy Carrington, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 5:37 AM EDT, Wed August 5, 2015
Senegalese photographer Omar Viktor Diop's vivid portraits find inspiration in everything from Hollywood to Baroque art.
Senegalese photographer Omar Viktor Diop's vivid portraits find inspiration in everything from Hollywood to Baroque art.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
Though Diop's pictures have the same sheen and polish as a veteran photographer, he has only been taking pictures professionally since 2010.
Though Diop's pictures have the same sheen and polish as a veteran photographer, he has only been taking pictures professionally since 2010.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
Several of his portraits feature emerging talent from within Africa, such as this youthful photo of blogger and music label owner Ken Aicha Sy.
Several of his portraits feature emerging talent from within Africa, such as this youthful photo of blogger and music label owner Ken Aicha Sy.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
Diop used to work in corporate communications, but gave up a lucrative career to pursue his passion.
Diop used to work in corporate communications, but gave up a lucrative career to pursue his passion.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
"I was good at what I was doing, my career progressed very fast, but something was missing, and I think what was missing was a purpose," he recalls.
"I was good at what I was doing, my career progressed very fast, but something was missing, and I think what was missing was a purpose," he recalls.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
Diop entered a photo competition on a lark. His first conceptual project, the futuristic "Fashion 2112," was selected out of hundreds of applications.
Diop entered a photo competition on a lark. His first conceptual project, the futuristic "Fashion 2112," was selected out of hundreds of applications.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
"I thought it was spam," he admits.
"I thought it was spam," he admits.
Omar Viktor Diop, courtesy of Magnin-A
Last year, he created a series of self-portraits styled on Baroque paintings. The figures hold sporting goods, because he saw similarities between modern-day soccer players and the original subjects of the paintings.
Last year, he created a series of self-portraits styled on Baroque paintings. The figures hold sporting goods, because he saw similarities between modern-day soccer players and the original subjects of the paintings.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
Recently, he has expanded the series, taking self-portraits in the style of portraits done of 15th and 19th century African emigres in Europe.
Recently, he has expanded the series, taking self-portraits in the style of portraits done of 15th and 19th century African emigres in Europe.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
Initially, the medium of self-portrait made Diop nervous.
Initially, the medium of self-portrait made Diop nervous.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
"I've been in front of the camera and behind the camera. I needed to make sure that this was not my ego that was pushing me to be in front of the camera," he says.
"I've been in front of the camera and behind the camera. I needed to make sure that this was not my ego that was pushing me to be in front of the camera," he says.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
Diop says he considers himself very fortunate to be following his passion in Dakar.<br /><br />"I have the luxury to have my dream job in my hometown with my people," he admits.
Diop says he considers himself very fortunate to be following his passion in Dakar.

"I have the luxury to have my dream job in my hometown with my people," he admits.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
For the novice photographer looking to make a similar leap, Diop says go for it, but try to ensure you have a fallback.
For the novice photographer looking to make a similar leap, Diop says go for it, but try to ensure you have a fallback.
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
"A leap of faith is nice," he says, "but it's even better when there's a mattress waiting for you down there."
"A leap of faith is nice," he says, "but it's even better when there's a mattress waiting for you down there."
Omar Viktor Diop, Courtesy of Magnin-A
Lose yourself in these photographs
CNN  — 

It’s hard to believe Omar Victor Diop wasn’t always a visual artist. His photographs – vibrant and surreal portraits that find influence in everything from Hollywood to early Baroque art – have the sheen and polish of a true veteran.

Diop, who still lives in his hometown of Dakar, Senegal, originally worked in corporate communications, but gave up a lucrative career to pursue his passion.

“I was good at what I was doing, my career progressed very fast, but something was missing, and I think what was missing was a purpose,” he recalls.

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In 2010, he started experimenting on the side with street photography. When his first conceptual project, the futuristic “Fashion 2112,” was selected the following year to be showcased at Bamako Encounters, Africa’s premier photo exhibition, he was stunned.

omar viktor diop
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Leaving finance to pursue photography
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“I submitted this portfolio and I forgot about it, then I received this email that I thought was spam, but actually said I was selected out of probably 500 candidates. That was the moment I said, ‘this is what I want to do. How great would it be if this was my job?’”

Diop says that far from being an obstacle, his inexperience in the field of photography has helped him: “I think the fact that I’m not trained gives me freedom, as I’m still building my vision as a photographer.”

Inspiration is everywhere

Diop’s work may seem to draw inspiration from a range of cultures, but this is all part of growing up in Dakar, he says.

“It is probably the most open country in Africa. Growing up… we would watch Michael Jackson, and local start, and (listen to) Arabic music. This (influenced) me a lot in the way I see the world.”

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Whether reimagining Hollywood scenes with African models or giving local portraiture a Baroque spin, this multinational influence is apparent in his work.

Recently, he collection of self-portraits inspired by 16th and 19th century portraits of African emigres showed at the 1:54 Contemporary Art Fair in New York.

“All of these characters had an incredible personal history, but nobody talks about them,” he muses.

“I use myself as a prop to bring them back to life and invite them in the current conversation about the role of Africa and Africans in the whole human experience,” he adds.

Advice for future generations

Though Diop was lucky that his work photography career took off shortly after he quit his job, he says that having a fall-back is a good idea.

“A leap of faith is nice, but it’s even better when there’s a mattress waiting for you down there,” he says.

Omar Victor Diop discusses his process and the biggest mistake he ever made in the video above.