Gus Sarkodee: Ghanaian editorial & fashion photographer celebrating identity, culture & human connection | 54Ruum Spotlight

Gus Sarkodee (b. 2000) is a Ghanaian photographer known for his evocative visual storytelling, which intertwines cultural narratives with universal explorations of identity, community, and shared humanity. His work is inspired by his country’s culture and colour schemes, celebrates the raw beauty of human expression, framing contemporary interpretations of what it means to see and be seen.

He is the Founder of Surreal Vision Co., a production house crafting magnetic editorial and commercial visuals for clients globally. Sarkodee’s photography has been featured by Vogue, Levi’s, VISA, VSCO, ARS Magazine, and EMY Africa.

His work has also been exhibited internationally, his practice bridges intimate Ghanaian realities with global dialogues, transforming vulnerability and joy into a visual language of connection.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I'm expressive in all I do. I believe at my core, I'm someone who likes to see the beauty in the simplest things in life, whether in daily walks, relationships, everyday objects, or people. I like to create fun moments for myself, live within them, and find even more outside of them.

How did you first get into photography?

It was in the eighth grade in high school, during an art class with Dr Bernard Akoi-Jackson, that I first held a professional camera. Initially, I was drawn to screenshotting pictures off Instagram and re-editing them on a friend's iPod. From there, I began taking pictures of flowers, sunsets, football matches, and people in and around my school's campus. That art class truly ignited the flame, and I began to explore more with cameras from there.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche?

I specialise in editorial, fashion, portrait, and more recently, commercial photography. I have always longed to create images that I hadn’t seen in mainstream media or around me. I wanted to make things that stood out from the ordinary, images that excited me because I was probably the only one who understood how they were created. It may seem self-centred, but I loved exploring, experimenting, and doing things that I wanted to see and do before anyone else dictated what should be created.

Editorial photography gave me the avenue to do exactly that. Fashion connects me to threads and the interpretation of interactions between fabric and form. Portraits allow me to connect with people, revealing sides they may want to hide sometimes.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography?

My process is quite messy. Sometimes I think of the outcome before shooting, sometimes it's natural instinct, and the ideas and themes reveal themselves along the way. Over time, and through intentional curation, I have come to understand that my work aims to document tension, intimacy, and legacy, one frame at a time.

It may not seem immediately apparent when I pick singular images, but I want it all to feel like a progression of how Gus sees the world – not figuratively but literally. I've always been told my eye is something. I understood it then, a little less now, but I have come to appreciate what my eye chooses to focus on in a scene.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

My first exhibition and my first magazine cover. I know you asked for one, but both of these hold very high places in my heart.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it?

Fighting the everlasting battle against self. I'm usually torn between what to focus my time and energy on, as I often have two to three projects going on at once, alongside some client work. Over time, I’ve learnt to narrow it down to work that feeds my soul and documents the things I care about seeing in the world. Sometimes that is music, sometimes colours, and other times, love.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

Rihanna, Jacquemus, DAZED Mag, Rema, and Sarkodie (my almost namesake).

What are your thoughts on the 54Ruum platform?

An incredible platform doing great work to highlight unique storytellers and creators like myself. It is a blessing to have 54Ruum in existence.

How's the photography and art space in your country? How has it evolved in recent years?

It has evolved because now many people are doing what they want to see within the space, bringing an evolving look and fresh perspective to the recently thriving scene and industry.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?

Shoot a lot. Get the hours out of the way first, then begin to refine and train your eye to spot the moments. Also, go on walks and observe the way various things interact with each other in scenes of natural order and chaos.