BLOGGING, PHOTOGRAPHY & FUN – 4 SPLUFIC HOURS AT ERIN IJESHA WATER FALLS, OSUN STATE

When you dream about something you wish for,do not believe it is unachievable. Just keep working, keep praying, keep dreaming and believe me, it would turn into reality someday..Deedeesblog

This will be my third time of making a trip to Erin-Oke, which houses the popular Olumirin Waterfalls and also known as Erin-IjeshaWaterfalls, but this marked the most exciting moment of my life after the Makoko amazing experience.

My very first trip to Olumirin falls was when I was in high school, then it was an excursion for the final year students organized a coupleof my friends. With no camera phone, we only relied on thephotographers at the falls.

Second time was when I was in FUTA in my undergraduate days. We organized a road trip to Erin-Ijesha and Ikogosi Warm Spring in Ekiti State. Then I dreamt to come back again for some professional shoot with a team of talented individuals, but that was just a dream.
This dream was way back in 2004 when I never even dreamt of owning a DSLR camera.

Fast forward to 12 years later, this dream will become a reality.

My photography tutor buzzed me up on Sunday the 24th

‘Blogger nla, howfar nah?’

I replied ‘OgaLypix I dey oh…’

‘I’ve got some project coming up and I want you to be a part of it’ He retorted

My ears tweaked and I wanted to know more.

‘What project Sir….?’  I asked enthusiasthically, grabbing my camera and toying with the speed dial.
In his usual serious manner, he responded ‘ErmErm, it’s an editorial shoot at Erin………..Ijesha..’

‘Erin what!!??’…I jumped up from the chair, my eyes widened in bewilderment and happiness.

We are leaving next tomorrow, are you game?

Imagine that kind of Jamb question, who won’t be game?…huh?

That Dream finally came true…and I want to let you in on that journey to Erin-Ijesha for my first editorial shoot withLypix Studios.

For those who do not know much about Erin-Ijesha, Erin Ijesha ( also called Olumirin) is a seven step waterfall in Osun State, Nigeria. 15 minutes from Ilesha and about 1 hour 20 minutes from Ibadan (considering the traffic and the bumpy roads though, it should have been less).

As soon as you enter into the guarded environment, you will be greeted with hawkers who are readily available to energize you with whatever you prefer, from the alcoholic beverages to the energy drinks and photographers who wants you to relive the moment as they capture the pictures on your behalf for a token.

Our trip to exciting no doubt because our enthusiasm quickly overshadowed the stress associated with journeying through the ever gallopy Ibadan – Ikire – IpetuIjesha –Ife – Ilesha road.

Many thanks to the ever popular AkaraOsu and Bread market at the Oduduwa University roundabout. See en? I bought enough oh. I knew the task ahead, hence it would be better to fuel oneself with as much Akara as possible.

We got to the falls at 2:00pm, and imagine, even Erin Ijesha waterfalls have ‘Omo-Oniles’. Choi! These guys have absolutely caught the Lagos bug. After paying the regular entrance fee, Omo-Oniles still requested for Owo-Onile. Gosh!

Into the journey of the steps, as you climb each step of the fall, you will notice a flowing mountain which displays a very exciting nature of the fall.

Most part of the mountains around the 2nd step (where we eventually settled to have our shoot) was basically covered with reeds and weeds, even the fountain itself is covered with reeds, for the shoot we got what we wanted though, but I really think the State government will do better to ensure proper cleaning and weeding of the environment. This is a major tourist attraction in Nigeria you know?

I was amazed that stairs had even been constructed along the fall areas. The last time I came here, we had to climb the mountain like hikers…lol. you know having to climb with your hands and feet. Now it is easy to get to the final step in a matter of minutes. Anyway, that wasn’t why we came…It’s time for the business part..The shoot!

The team had a very amazing assemblage though, from Tobbistouch the very versatile hair stylist to Tiwa, the amazing Akure based award winning make over artist, to DlabodMedia, talented videographer and finally to my Oga himself, Creative Director, Lypix studios..AY, with the ever ambitious lypix photography school team which includes myself, House of Zerlinah our first lady and the indefatigable warri wizard Okemutie himself, the ensemble team had an amazing shoot!

I thoroughly got exclusives behind the scenes pictures. Trust me, if you hadn’t come here before, Let me fuel your desire…and if you have? It is time to come have fun again!

Deedee dared to dream, and it became a reality…

I want to preach a word of motivation to all, Are you a dreamer? Do you have hopes and aspirations? Do you think what you want achieved may be over bloated. My dear blog readers, do not lose hope! You can get there! You will get there.

Enough said: Enjoy the moments after the cut…

On our way

Journey into the Fall

The fun part

Enough with the Fun, Let’s get down to business

Post production: Tell me what you see?

I hope you enjoyed this?…I have a lot of dreams yet..would still head back to Ikogosi, and to even all parts of the country with this Editorial thingy!..Do you want to join in the ride? Drop your comments below.