Capturing people’s highlights: The story of our photo contest winner

Izehi Agboaye’s love for photography began when she first took a photography class during her time as a UTA student. She picked up a camera and knew photography was a passion of hers.

We are proud to announce that Izehi is our Downtown Arlington Summer Survival Kit Photo Contest first place winner! Her submitted photos captured what a fun summer downtown looks like, included a person as the focal point and highlighted incredible businesses and beautiful spots downtown. 

Izehi has always been the arts and creative type. She majored in film at UTA and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. 

While in college, she was faced with having to drop her first photography class because she could not afford the required camera. However, someone was able to give her a camera so she could continue the class. 

One of the pivotal moments for her photography was in the quiet of the dark room. 

“I think those moments of seeing the image on film come alive and the dark room is quiet, you’re usually by yourself, those are some really pivotal moments for me in my photography journey,” she said. 

In a season of transition and wanting to do more with photography, Izehi jumped into the profession assisting a friend in a wedding photography business 15 years ago. Izehi now owns her own photography business, Izehi Photography. 

Izehi stumbled upon the Downtown Arlington Photo Contest as she was scrolling Instagram and instantly wanted to participate. She was eager to capture our beautiful downtown, highlight local businesses and use the photos to further develop her portfolio. 

“I genuinely love downtown Arlington so much, so it was fun to have a reason to photograph there.” 

She loves photographing in Downtown Arlington with the various vibrant backgrounds and lighting options. Her love for downtown began in college, and she keeps returning to visit.

As a UTA student, Izehi explored downtown when she was in college. She has a love for libraries, so she spent time at the Arlington Public Library before the remodel. She was in downtown as the Levitt Pavilion was being built and watched as the area developed and grew.

Izehi plans to add the portrait-style photos she submitted to the contest onto her blog to show potential clients the areas a photoshoot can be done downtown. 

“I love portraits. I love taking pictures of people,” she said. 

Izehi looks up to big professional photographers, but the upcoming, younger photographers are an inspiration in just having fun and not overthinking the art. 

Though she can’t pinpoint the exact moment she fell in love with photography, Izehi can remember times that further confirmed the art was something she loved doing. 

“I remember the first time I photographed someone I didn’t know super well, and I just remember thinking, ‘Wow, it would be really cool to be able to do this as a business.’” 

Izehi said it has been an honor to be a part of people’s highlights and moments they will remember forever as she photographs weddings, births, senior pictures, graduation ceremonies and even funerals. 

“A lot of these people are strangers, and you’re invited into their most heartfelt, intimate, close moments,” she said. “Being able to document that and be a part of that is something I don’t take for granted.” 

Follow Izehi on Instagram @photoizehi, view her work on her website and consider her for your photography needs. 

Congratulations Izehi for winning first place in the Downtown Arlington Summer Survival Kit Photo Contest! Thank you to all the incredible photographers who participated.