Street photography taking over Nairobi

Street photography was first associated with Paris and renowned figures like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Brassaï, and André Kertész before being acknowledged as a distinct genre in the early 1930s.

Today, in Nairobi’s CBD, an army of photographers with their kits has become a common sight, all training their cameras on those willing to have their photos taken at a fee.

After the Governor of Nairobi, Johnson Sakaja lifted the mandatory photography fee in late 2022, young people occupied the streets for a good reason. Previously, they were required to apply for a license from the Kenya Film and Classification Board.

Fican Moguche is one of them. On a cold Nairobi evening, he is poised with his camera in hand, his photography gear close by, and with a polite smile, he approaches pedestrians as they rush to beat traffic or, more likely, get stuck in it.

“I started this work a few months ago when a friend of mine introduced me to it. At first, I was helping him by carrying his equipment and trying to get clients as they passed for impromptu photoshoots. With time, he started teaching me how to take photos, and slowly I built on the skills, and now I am here. It feels great being part of the creative industry,” he tells Pulse.

Fican charges Sh100 for each photo. Being captured alongside the iconic Nairobi buildings such as the KICC, I&M building, and other iconic and historical structures is an inviting idea for many.

“The streets of Nairobi offer a dynamic and colourful backdrop for artists interested in exploring urban life through photography. With its rich mix of cultures, bustling streets, and diverse architectural styles, the city provides a unique setting for capturing the everyday moments of its residents,” he says.

Before taking a photo, Fican says it is important to make an effort to interact with your subjects. A warm conversation can help them relax and present themselves more authentically.

“It is vital to be conscious of the personal space and privacy of others. If a person indicates discomfort or declines to have their photograph taken, their wishes should be respected,” he says.

His trainer, Erastus Zakary, is stationed a few hundred metres away with his tools of trade. He has two youths under his tutelage and says he does it for free.

Every year, 800,000 Kenyan youths enter the job market, according to the National Council for Population Report 2023.

“I was invited by a friend to help him in the streets. I had graduated from a local university with a degree in Information Technology and had stayed at home for quite a while with no hopes of securing any meaningful employment. Through art, I am able to feed my family and also help other young people make a living,” he says.

Zakary says the hundreds of photographers in the city are attracted by Nairobi’s streets teeming with vibrancy.

“The presence of colourful matatus and animated street vendors creates a lively atmosphere, providing numerous opportunities to document candid moments and expressions that illustrate the rhythm of city life. By nature, women are friendlier and form the largest clientele we get,” he adds.

At the same time, Zakary is mindful of the legal implications in his line of work.

“It is important to be mindful of your interactions with the individuals you photograph. Obtaining their consent is crucial if you intend to profit from your images, making interpersonal skills essential in candid photography compared to other fields,” he points out.

With technology leveling the field for many people, Zakary uses his phone to edit the photos taken, which would otherwise have seen him spend hours behind a computer to do the same work.

“There are several apps we use, and everyone has their favourite. It needs a professional approach when it comes to editing the photos. Again, we normally place our logos for visibility, and if a client has a specific requirement, we do it. As they say, the client is king. From these interactions with different people, some end up engaging us further when they have events,” he says.

Josphat Ouru graduated with a degree in project planning and management, but after years of hunting for employment, he ventured into photography, something he did as a hobby. Eventually, he found his feet in the world of street photography.

“I started more than two years ago, and I have never looked back. At first, it was hard for me to understand the inner workings of this industry, but I eventually found my way out of the thicket. My friends and I started toying with the idea of forming an association that would bring us street photographers together and later formed a WhatsApp group,” he says.

The group has 86 members so far.

“We are able to talk about etiquette and financial planning, and we recently started on matters of intellectual property, which will protect our work and also avoid defamation,” he says.

Legacy from My Father

As the old adage goes, an apple does not fall far from the tree, and Melchizedek Ekeya is a testament to this.

Decades ago, his father would roam Nairobi’s streets and estates, taking film photos. This is where he started to develop an interest in photography, and as he grew up, he later took over the mantle from his father.

“A friend introduced me to Photostat, a global nonprofit organization that uses photography to equip under-resourced youth with new opportunities for success. The program is designed to help under-resourced young people develop their creativity, technical skills, and self-confidence, while also providing them with a sense of purpose and the competencies they need to shape their own lives and contribute to the lives of others,” he says.

Known as Akingstone by his friends, he says photography has given him a platform that he could only have dreamed of. This is through the networking opportunities as his craft has propelled him to greater heights.

“I believe in art as a possible pathway to creating job opportunities for young people. An event can be covered by several people, whether it’s photography or videography. For bigger and corporate events, the number is larger, and so is the cheque. After Photostat, I joined a friend of mine who has his own company, and from there I also learned video editing. In the future, I want to try my hand in cinematography,” he states.

Akingstone believes that the many street photographers in Nairobi’s CBD are helping curate a story about the city.

“The urban scenery of Nairobi showcases a blend of contemporary skyscrapers and colonial structures, interspersed with informal settlements and vibrant markets. This juxtaposition between the old and the new, affluence and destitution, can be artistically captured in street photography,” he says. For many lovers of visual storytelling, street photography delves deeper than just capturing subjects, scenes, and moments. It entails merging these components harmoniously to construct a captivating image that conveys a narrative.

“We all remember our first time holding a camera and being able to capture the first image. Those moments are magical, and after I took my course at Photostat, I was able to achieve my dream. As an introvert, I let my photos talk more.

“Through the practice of photography, I have developed a greater sense of bravery, as it has required me to break free from my comfort zone, capture images that intimidated me, and push myself to new heights,” says Nellias Otieno.

Nellias says photography has enabled her to explore themes of disparity, community, and resilience through her lens, documenting both the challenges and the vibrancy of life in different areas.

“Coming from Nairobi’s Eastlands is a challenge, and being able to use my camera to tell different stories makes my day. This helps form part of the content in my podcasts and also on my socials,” she says.