Dara Ojo is making waves as a macrophotographer, inspiring Nigerian photographers by shining a light on a world that many people usually ignore: insects and tiny creatures. Originally from Lagos and now based in Canada, Dara calls himself a "conservation storyteller." Through his extreme close-up photography, he helps us appreciate the small but important creatures that keep our ecosystems healthy. His work is a powerful reminder that some of the most fascinating life is right under our feet.
Dara’s journey as "Dara the Explorer" started during the quiet days of the 2020 pandemic lockdown in China. While many people couldn’t travel, Dara looked closer to home and discovered a whole world of tiny wonders. He taught himself how to use manual camera settings and macro stacking by watching YouTube videos. What began as a casual hobby at Covenant University quickly became a true passion. Dara’s move to professional camera gear like the OM-1 Mark II shows how serious he is about his craft. His story shows that you don’t need to go far to find your creative niche—it can be found by simply paying closer attention.
What makes Dara’s photos stand out is his ability to capture the "bug’s eye view." His extreme close-ups reveal details like tiny expressions, textures, and the amazing structure of insects. One of his most popular images, a close-up of a dew-covered white-striped longhorn beetle, went viral when people on Reddit thought it was someone wearing a mask! That photo helped many realize how little they knew about the tiny creatures around them.
Dara is also very careful with how he treats the insects he photographs. Unlike some photographers who freeze or kill bugs to keep them still, Dara prefers patience. He often heads out early in the morning, when insects are still asleep and covered in dew. This way, he captures them naturally and respectfully. This approach keeps his work honest and helps protect the creatures he loves to photograph.
For Nigerian photographers, Dara’s journey is an inspiring example of finding your own unique voice. He chose not to focus on portrait photography because it was already well represented. Instead, he combined his background as a data analyst with his love for nature to create something different. His work has been featured by National geographic, Canadian geographic, CNN, BBCUN and PBS in the documentary Bugs That Rule the World, showing how local talent can gain global recognition.
Dara believes that fear often comes from not understanding. By showing close-ups of spiders "smiling" or the colorful eyes of damselflies, he helps people see these creatures differently—from scary to fascinating. He even shares stories of followers who, after seeing his photos, decided to safely move spiders instead of killing them. That’s the power of art inspiring real change.
His photos cover many places—from rainforests and deserts to cities in Nigeria, China, Mexico, Canada, Colombia and Costa Rica. Each image tells a story about biodiversity and the tiny creatures that quietly keep our planet alive. Dara is also working on a coffee table book called Tiny Titans: The Silent Keepers of Our Ecosystem, expected in late 2026. Through this, he hopes to raise awareness about insects and their importance. We certainly can’t wait.
Follow @explorewithdara on Instagram and read more stories on https://lagos-meet.com/
