Professional photography

Osborne Macharia is about to complete his degree in Architecture, but is already successful in an unrelated career, writes Tricia Wanjala

What is your education background?

I am a final year Architecture student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

What sparked your interest in photography?

I was out of school for a year and during that period, I came across the works of a Canadian photographer who by the age of 23 had serious clients like Warner Brothers and Forbes on his portfolio and seemed to love what he was doing. His work was mostly out of studio (on-location) with attention to creating dynamism by fusing natural and artificial lighting. That’s when I developed a key interest in that kind of photography.

Describe the kind of work you do.

I mostly specialise in wedding, editorial, food/product and advertising photography, with 90 per cent of my work being on-location. For wedding photography, I specialise in creative lighting. This creates a different feel to the wedding than what your ordinary eye would see.

For how long have you been doing it?

I got my first camera in 2010 and started shooting for fun. I began doing commercial photography in March last year.

What skills are necessary to succeed in this kind of work?

Patience, persistence, creativity, honesty and handwork (with a few sleepless nights). Most of all, you must not seek money as your primary objective. Work hard on your skill and the money
will come looking for you.

What equipment should a budding photographer first purchase and
how can he/she get started?

I would tell them to buy a simple DSLR body without the lens then buy prime lenses (non-zoom lenses — 50mm, 100mm, 24mm, or 35mm) as they are
affordable and give the highest optics. If one is interested in shooting with strobes, a good and affordable way is to start with small hot-shoe speed lights. They are portable and give you an idea of how lighting works. You can move to more powerful strobes and as your needs increase.?

Is there any formal training in Kenya for professional photographers?

None at the moment. Most photographers in Kenya have taught themselves through Youtube, online tutorials, blogs and at times apprenticeship from established photographers. Organisations such as Pawa 254, with its bi-monthly forum dubbed ‘Pawa Salon’, has come a long way in helping budding photographers get inspired and learn how distinguished photographers in the industry came to be where they are.

What are some of the challenges you have faced in your career?

Clients who do not pay. With time, contracts become my only way of working. As a starting photographer, you tend to be your one-man office. You are the secretary, accountant, photographer, messenger, IT manager and everyone else in the business. Getting good equipment is another challenge. Camera equipment sold in Kenya is expensive and this discourages photographers, who want to start.
Customs and value added tax for those wishing to import photography stuff is also too high.

What are some of the triumphs that make you love your job?

Last year, I got to shoot the late Wangari Maathai a few weeks before she passed on. This was the last formal shoot she had. I felt so honoured for this as well as for meeting one of Kenya’s most decorated
leaders. It is also encouraging when I get jobs from international clients because of the quality of my work. When tears flow from a couple’s eyes when they come to collect their pictures, I feel appreciated. I like it when I meet my former schoolmates and they are in suits, yet I am in jeans and still making money.

How would you describe your creative style?

I draw a lot of inspiration from imagination, fantasy and creating moods using lighting. I direct all my shoots, which is an advantage because I know the outcome before I start shooting. This also eases the subject and my shoots are concept-oriented.

What are some of the business lessons you have learnt along the way?

Build your brand based on quality — quality on images, in delivery and accountability to your client.

Never compromise on cost. It is sometimes better to walk away when you realise what you are being paid is not worth the effort you will put in.

Don't think outside the box; simply think as if there is no box.

Build your style/identity and keep working at it in such a way that if a client wanted such images, they would come to you.

Be humble; you are not the first and you won't be the last.

Had you not chosen this career path, what would you have regretted the most?
The freedom, travelling and meeting prominent people, being my own boss,
networking with like-minded people locally and internationally, and most of all, having a business you would fight for.

What inspires you to keep at it even when it is not easy?

My parents have been a huge support. The team of five photographers I work with when it comes to wedding
photography also inspire me. We have different personalities and it’s so much fun when we come together for assignments. We are there for each other.