While watching IShowSpeed’s Ghana stream yesterday, one person kept drawing my attention. Not Speed himself, but the man behind the camera. Maybe it’s because I know that pain too well.

People say it to me all the time, especially when I’m traveling for work: "Your job is fun oo. Make me your P.A. or put me in your bag so I can also enjoy like you do."

Honestly, I don’t blame them for thinking that way. From the outside, the job looks exciting. But the truth is, it is not fun - not even a little.

I remember one particular trip: five regions in under 72 hours. Accra to Mole by road. Tamale back to Accra by air. We left Friday dawn and returned Sunday afternoon. Tell me - how is that fun?

I’ve covered tours locally and internationally and I won’t deny the perks. Travel opens you up. It reshapes how you see people, culture and life itself. That kind of exposure is priceless. I love that part of the job. But it comes at a cost.

Tour work is brutal. The moment everyone else is relaxing and enjoying the experience, that is when you are needed the most. You are there to capture moments that will never happen again. No retakes. No second chances. Reactions are raw, unscripted and fleeting. Miss it and it’s gone forever.

Most times, you are editing on the move. Sleep becomes optional. Imagine shooting photography as your main task, recording videos for reels on the side and doing it alone. On some trips, I survive on three hours of sleep a night - if I’m lucky.

Watching Speed board the chopper back to Accra, I felt for his cameraman. I’m sure he wanted to rest small once they were airborne. He picked up his phone, but Speed kept calling for shots. Phone down. Camera up. Again.

The man had a transmission backpack strapped to his back the entire time. Handheld shooting. Moving through crowds. No break. I honestly cried for his spine. That kind of back pain is not small. I just hope he got some kind of massage at the waterfall - maybe even the final ‘kruya kruya krugengen’ shea butter treatment. He deserved it.

Our work looks glamorous from the outside, but inside, it is exhausting. So don’t envy photographers and videographers too much. “Wai, na dem dey suffer pass.”

Still, we carry on.

Because somehow, despite everything, the rest of the year still looks beautiful.

"THE REST OF THE YEAR LOOKS BEAUTIFUL"

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Samuel Makafui Agbagbah is the the founder of Makafui Media. An international photo-videographer with a strong reputation for visual storytelling. He works with The Multimedia Group Limited, contributing high-impact visual content across television and digital platforms. His works span documentaries, branded content, travel and cultural storytelling with a growing focus on tourism promotion through Adansi Travels.
Makafui's visual narratives are known for their cinematic depth, technical excellence and ability to capture people, places and stories in compelling and authentic ways.

Contact : +233242378286
Email: makafuimedia@gmail.com

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