The streets of Nairobi are alive with stories, told not through words but through the lenses of street photographers who document the city’s heartbeat in its rawest form.

Every day, and mostly on weekends, youths throng Nairobi streets for photo opportunities, sometimes through song and dance.

Street photography in Nairobi has gained a lot of popularity from the fabled Gen Z, which is mostly fuelled by the accessibility to smartphones and digital cameras.

Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have also provided a platform for photographers to showcase their work, connect with audiences, and even make a living from their art.

Through hashtags such as #NairobiStreetPhotography, the visual artists create an archive of the city’s evolving identity. A lot of people have shown appreciation to this form of art through sharing photos they took on the streets on their social media platforms.

According to photographers such as Mark, popularly known as Africana, who has been inspired by the lack of employment, photography is not just a way of livelihood but a way of communicating and showcasing love for art in the city.

 “I started working as a street photographer in December 2023. I did not go to school to learn photography, I trained myself until I mastered the skill and now this job pays my bills and also helps provide back at home,” Africana says.

Although the streets of Nairobi are a place where Mark and other photographers consider as their workplace, they cannot fully depend on it since that field is unpredictable with the rise of many street photographers.

Capturing Nairobi

“I cannot fully depend on it, so I also go to events like burials and weddings as a photographer, and that helps me earn something small on the side,” Africana adds.

Due to lack of employment, many youths are looking for possible ways they can make money, are learning and sharpening skills that do not require a lot of resources to learn, and photography is at the top of the list.

“What inspired me to venture into street photography was the need to earn a living in Nairobi.” African reveals

For many, street photography is more than a hobby; it’s a way to preserve the spirit of Nairobi for future generations and for many it is their way of livelihood

“I was inspired by a friend; I saw what he did and really admired it. I used to hire a camera from a friend, take pictures, pay him Sh1,000 from what I earned that day then the remaining money was mine,” says Brian Magati, also known as Roman photographer.

Brian is a 28-year-old self-taught photographer who roams around the city with his camera, capturing moments.

“I started photography in November 2022. Photography is my main source of living since it pays all my bills, so I have to work really hard and ensure I don’t go home empty-handed,” he states.

According to Brian, it has not been an easy ride with the growth of street photography since a lot of youths have flooded the streets.

 “Nowadays, the business of street photography is very tricky, we do not get clients as easily as back then. Sundays are the best days of the week to get clients since during the week people are usually busy but on Sundays they are a bit free,” Brian explains.

Despite the challenges, the community of street photographers continues to grow, forming collectives where photographers have places to share techniques and experiences. Some have turned their passion into full-time careers, with their work being featured in exhibitions and publications both locally and internationally.

According to Brian, despite all these, street photography is the most preferred form of photography by many Kenyans since it is cheaper and easier to take. 

“I charge Sh100 for raw photos and Sh200 for edited pictures, and a lot of people can afford it,” he reveals.

He explains that street photography is unique since it brings out the beauty of the city and one can take pictures from different angles and backgrounds, unlike in the studio.

According to the youths who take photos on the streets, this form of photography is very creative, since there are many buildings, cars passing around, and also there is a different form of beauty in outdoor photography.

Licence removed

“I prefer street photography because you get your photos in time, unlike the studio, where they give you a duration of about two to three days of waiting,” says Mercy.

Street photography has not always been easy. Photographers were previously required to apply for a licence from the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB), but since 2022, the mandatory photography fee was lifted in Nairobi by the county government, which made it possible for many youths to venture into street photography.

As Nairobi continues to expand, so does its visual narrative. The city’s street photographers are ensuring that every moment, whether joyful, chaotic, or melancholic, is captured and remembered, one frame at a time.