I was born in the bustling city of Nairobi and first fell in love with photography when I saw my dad’s photos of when he was younger, tending to the flowers in his front garden right outside his door. These images showed how times have changed — as Nairobi is now full of buildings and flowers are planted in little boxes on balconies rather than large, luscious gardens. I was instantly drawn to this art of capturing moments that will last a lifetime.

Growing up in Nairobi, I started playing soccer when I was just four years old. My teammates and I were young and talented but we flew under the radar. Despite being excellent at the sport, we weren’t being seen by many people and therefore weren’t being absorbed into pro teams. So, I decided to hang up my boots and use my photography skills — which is where my journey into sports photography began.

I started by capturing my talented teammates in action and I posted them on my social media. As they started becoming more visible, things started changing for them. I have witnessed some of my teammates landing sponsorships in the USA to continue their education and play soccer. Some of the images they submit with their profiles are shot by me.

For years, my camera was glued to the side lines, capturing the blur of athletes in motion. The roar of the crowd, the adrenaline of the game—sports photography was my passion. But a yearning for something different, more primal, began to stir within me. The call of the wild beckoned me to explore a new frontier. So, I embarked on a journey of transition, leaving behind the structured world of sports, venturing into the unpredictable realm of wildlife photography. It was a daunting leap of faith, a complete shift in perspective and approach.

It was my sports photography that first brought me to the Mara, invited by a friend to document the Mara Cup by coach Collins Randiga (now GM of Angama Mara). I expressed my interest to him in wildlife photography and I was somehow convincing enough to get an opportunity to intern at the Angama Photographic Studio.It was while shooting the game that I would see Girrafes, Zebras, and at times lions(from a distance) that got me intrigued into the wild.

I have learnt a lot from my senior photographers, from photography skills to understanding animal behaviour. Wildlife photography is very different from sports photography as it's not about the fast shutter speeds and calculated angles but rather patience, predicting animal movements, and respecting their environment. I have since spent countless hours waiting in the blinds, tracking elusive animals and braving the elements to capture the perfect shot.

The essence of wildlife photography is to showcase the splendour of our world, to show beauty where others see chaos. Wildlife photography extends beyond creating visually stunning images; it is a powerful tool for promoting conservation and raising awareness about diverse species and ecosystems. It plays a pivotal role in fostering a deeper connection between viewers and our planet, igniting a collective responsibility to protect our shared environment. This is why I fell in love with this beautiful art form.