Let the world pause—Nigeria has just scripted history through the lens of Temiloluwa Johnson, the Ibadan-bred, Lagos-based photographer who clinched the prestigious World Press Photo award, presented by the World Press Photo Foundation in the Netherlands. Her winning image, “Mother Moves, House Approves,” captured during Lagos Pride 2024 as part of her “Heavenly Bodies” series, is more than a photograph; it’s an anthem of defiance, celebration, and chosen family in a nation where visibility can come with a price.
A Night of Rain, Resistance, and Revelation:
Johnson’s journey to this moment was nothing short of cinematic—battling a downpour, Lagos gridlock, and a bout of asthma just to make it to the underground Ballroom event. Yet, the magic of the night swept her exhaustion away: “I opened the door and found so much positive energy. The exhaustion and sickness I was feeling immediately disappeared, and I was in complete awe. I just kept saying to myself, ‘This is a good day to be Queer.’”
Twelve months into her career, Johnson’s work has done what few in Nigeria dared: it affirmed her identity, changed her life, and turned a night of joy into an image that now sits in the halls of global photojournalism.
Heavenly Bodies: A Portrait of Chosen Family:
Ballroom culture, rooted in resistance and joy, has deep roots among LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. In Lagos, it’s both a refuge and a revolution—a world where Queer Nigerians can breathe free, compete, and be celebrated on their own terms.
Johnson’s photo, “Mother Moves, House Approves,” embodies this ethos. It’s a moment of elevation, the House Mother surrounded by her children—bloodless but bonded in fierce loyalty. “To me, it’s a reminder that family isn’t always about blood, but about those who see you, protect you, and lift you up,” Johnson reflects.
The Power of Storytelling and Legacy:
Her work is as much about survival as it is about love. Shooting at Lagos Pride, she navigated secrecy, threat, and the need for anonymity, letting her subjects’ bodies, movement, and diversity do the storytelling.
“Being Queer is political,” Johnson told ‘WePresent.’ “Events like Pride and the Balls are a resistance. We are saying we are here and will continue to celebrate our existence. The Ballroom provides safety and anonymity, allowing people to express themselves freely without fear of persecution, disturbance or imitation.”
Honoring Icons, Building Archives:
“Heavenly Bodies” is also a tribute to Fola Francis, the late trans icon who blazed a trail for acceptance and self-expression in Nigeria. The project preserves moments of joy, resistance, and belonging, capturing not just images but legacies.
A Triumph for Nigeria, a Beacon for the World:
For Nigeria, Johnson’s victory is a seismic win—proof that the spirit of Naija creativity, resistance, and hope cannot be dimmed. Her work amplifies the voices of the voiceless, cements the importance of chosen family, and reminds us that, even in the face of oppression, there is room for beauty, love, and pride.
Naija to the world—through Temiloluwa’s lens, our stories live on.
