“Capturing the Beautiful Game: The Journey of Peniel Amoakohene of Blinkz Image” is a captivating biography by Samuel Kwame Boadu and Blvck Tick Media that takes readers on a visual and emotional ride through the world of one of the best female Sports Photographers in Ghana, offering insights into the dedication, skill, and artistry behind the lens of Peniel Amoakohene and her Blinkz Image Team.
Chapter 1: A Passion Ignited
In the bustling city of Greater Accra, where both female and male soccer was more than just a sport—it was a way of life—a young female photographer from Jacobu in the Ashanti Region of Ghana called Peniel Amoakohene discovered her passion for sports photography and the beautiful game. Schooled at Jacobu Jhs and Bekwai SDA Senior High School and raised in a family of ardent soccer fans, Peniel fascination with capturing moments in time began when she received her first camera from a friend called Ekow 3D, whom she worked for. Little did she see that this would be the starting point of a remarkable journey.
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Chapter 2: From Local Matches to Big Dreams
As a teenager, Peniel Amoakene‘s interest in photography grew alongside her love for soccer especially women’s football. She started by attending local matches in communities, capturing the intense emotions of players and fans alike. Through dedication and perseverance, Peniel honed her skills, learning the art of timing and framing to create captivating shots that told a story beyond the field.
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Chapter 3: The Pathway Unveiled
After Senior High School, Peniel’s dream took her to the love of Photography by accepting to serve under the best photographers and renowed for their vibrant soccer culture. Here, she further developed her technical skills in photoshop from Linda Lindor, delving into the intricacies of photography. Long hours in the darkroom and on the field forged Peniel into a skilled storyteller with a camera, and she garnered recognition among peers and footballers in both men and women football
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Chapter 4: The Professional Arena Beckons
Graduation from people who taught her, and Nayama Media College marked the transition from a student of sports photography to a professional photographer. Armed with a portfolio that displayed her journey with her new formed company called Blinkz Image, Peniel Amoakohene began freelancing with her Blinkz Image Team for Ghana Football Association, Berry Ladies Football Club, Valued Football Academy, Trust FM, Premium TV, some male and female football clubs and online sports platforms. This phase was not without challenges—unpredictable lighting conditions, fast-paced action, financial support, and the pressure to deliver demanded nothing short of excellence. In a discussion with Samuel Kwame Boadu, she stated, “I started my first media work at Trust FM in 2020 and became Head of sports in 2021. I did part time jobs at Premium TV while working for Trust FM and later became Head of sports for Premium TV when I stopped working for Trust FM in April 2021”
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Chapter 5: Behind the Scenes
Readers on her social media pages get a glimpse into the life of the sports photographer—early mornings spent researching teams and players, setting up equipment, and ensuring everything is in place before kickoff. Peniel’s dedication shines through as she recounts with Samuel Kwame Boadu the time spent building relationships with players and coaches, enabling them to capture intimate moments that often go unnoticed by the spectators. “I have to wake up each morning to text new coaches and players and schedule shoots with them or their players and sometimes I have to sit alone to draw these plans and how to get financial support to do these but no matter what, I keep moving to do my best,” she stated.
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Chapter 6: From Local Hero to Global Stage
An opportunity of a lifetime comes knocking when Peniel Amoakohene is selected to cover major international tournament by Football Federations in Ghana and Ivory Coast. From photographing the pre-match rituals to the jubilation of victory and the heartbreak of defeat, Peniel’s lens captures the spectrum of human emotions that soccer evokes. The global exposure pushes her work into the spotlight, earning her respect in both the photography and soccer communities and a new role by Ghana Football Association as a Venue Media Officer. “It was a dream come true for me when I was given these opportunities, especially looking at where I started from and always wanting to penetrate this male dominated career… I cried when I had these opportunities,” she sobbed.
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Chapter 7: Challenges and Triumphs
Life on the road is not all glamour. Peniel Amoakohene recounts the challenges of jet lag, financial support to transport her and her Blinkz Image Team, language barriers, and adapting to different cultures while maintaining her focus on the task at hand. She also shares personal stories of triumphs—like the iconic shot that made it to the cover artworks of magazines and club blogs in Ghana. “I always get excited when I see magazines and clubs use my images for club artworks, their blogs and stories. It brings me joy knowing that what I do each day is changing the world of football and making an impact in Ghana Football, ” she smiled.
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Chapter 8: The Evolution of Soccer Photography
As the sport evolves, so does the art of capturing it. Peniel delves into the technical advancements that have shaped soccer photography, from the transition to digital equipment to the rise of drone photography, offering readers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes evolution of their craft via her social media platforms. “When i meet my colleagues in the same profession, we discuss how football is evolving and how we can evolve as well by raising awareness and funds to buy some equipment to help us in this line of work and we pray that we get investors who will do these things for we the photographers in Ghana, ” she hinted.
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Chapter 9: Legacy and Inspiration
Reflecting on her journey, Peniel Amoakohene contemplates the mark she wants to leave on the world of sports photography as a female. She discusses with Samuel Kwame Boadu the responsibility of inspiring the next generation of photographers and the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision while adapting to changing trends. “I want to leave a legacy not only for myself but every girl who wants to find their feet in this male dominated profession like Sports Photography,” she remarked and repeated. “It will take time but i wont give up and I am even hoping to train more girls to join Blinkz Image so we cover more matches next season (2023/2024),” she added
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Chapter 10: The Unwritten Future
In the final chapter, Peniel’s journey is far from over. She expresses her excitement for what lies ahead—a future filled with new challenges, opportunities, and the unwavering passion to continue capturing the beautiful game through her lens. “Getting to the top is not easy and that is why I formed the company called Blinkz Image to keep me going and to have people who believes in this vision. A lot lies ahead of me, and my team and I know we will get the support one day to keep us going,” she added.
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To be continued…….
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