My name is Michael Aboya, also known as Aboya.8. I'm a fine-art and fashion photographer based in Ghana, West Africa. This is the story of my Journey to the 8—a journey that never truly ends, a story I hope will continue to be told long after I’m gone. At 19, my passion for art and photography became very real. At the time, I was studying software programming—a subject I had no particular interest in, but one my parents hoped I’d pursue as a career. Everything changed when I lost my father to cancer in August 2016. His passing made me realize that one day, I too will die. But the question that kept echoing in my mind was: Will I die knowing I followed my dreams, or that I wasted my life? That moment was the turning point. I chose to follow my passion. I stopped studying programming and used the little savings I had to buy my first camera—a Canon T3 with a Canon EF 70–300mm lens. In early 2017, I became a full-time photographer, fully committed to learning, growing, and becoming the best version of myself. Today, my purpose as a visual artist is to tell stories that inspire, empower, and connect. My work explores love, emotion, and strength—through composition, lighting, and subject matter. As I look ahead, I remain devoted to exploring our shared humanity for many years to come.