Stephen Kamau who hails from Munyaka estate in the outskirts of Eldoret town is one passionate photographer you will ever find in Eldoret.
The 28-year-old alumni of Kapsoya High school developed the art of photography from the camera he had been bought by his father way back in school where he would take pictures of his colleagues during journalism clubs, tours, photo walks, birthdays parties and preschools graduation ceremonies.
After completing secondary education in 2011, he proceeded to Alphax College in Eldoret town where he pursued Diploma in Community Health, a course that was totally distant from his passion.
“I had a dream of pursuing Journalism and Mass Communication in college but since my parents never afforded to pay school fees for me, I was a bit lucky to find a sponsor who offered to pay fees but in a totally different career I ever dreamt of," says Kamau.
Studying Community Health in college was a bridge towards his success because he continued practicing photography of which at this time it would bring food to his table.
“I would take pictures of at least 10 students a day, each at a cost of Sh400," he said.
After completing college, Kamau decided to focus entirely on photography, an idea that family members were against it and worried that their son was making the worst choice. He, however, ignored the criticisms and followed his craving.
He recalls meeting his longtime high school classmate, Francis Onyango popularly known as Frasha. Frasha was his best companion who practiced photography together in school and at that time he was working with Kim photography located at Zion Mall along Eldoret Uganda road.
“Frasha introduced me to a photography shop called T.K situated at Sirgoek building along Oloo street where I luckily secured my first job," recalled Kamau. He noted that working at T.K, he would be paid an average of Sh350 per day which was more of a loss compared to what he used to earn in college. "The two and half years’ experience working with the photography shop inspired me to save, start and run my own photography shop," says the young photographer.
The greatest challenge at his previous job was his boss who was irritated by how clients were lauding him for his best shots he was taking. “Even though my boss was ever annoyed with my interactions with clients, one client called Lorna Tuwei changed my life after listening to my story and donated Sh80,000 shillings to start my business," he narrated joyfully.
He had already saved over Sh50,000 from his two years working and now had Sh130,000 ready to open his own business. It was at this time that Kamau decided to quit his job to begin his own of which by then he had bought a D53 camera and two studio lights from his savings.
“A strategic building to set up my business in Eldoret town gave me sleepless nights because touring several buildings made unrealistic demands on the rent, some even demanding to be paid five months rent before occupying the building," he recalled. Finally, he met with Joram who was a caretaker at a residential building at Watergate plaza where he found a room to start a business.
“I registered the name of my photography shop as Kwetu photography and paid for a license and I was ready to start it only a white background and a camera," he said.
Kamau noted that after he launched his photography business on February offering services such as photoshoots of weddings, funerals, birthday parties and video coverages, he had a task of informing his clients of the newly founded photography.
“The salary I got on the first and second month of my business was very little to cater for the rent and my daily expenses which made me delay to pay my rent," admits Kamau. He had to pay a penalty twice for the delay to pay rent which is charged at Sh3,000 shilling per day but his patience and determination was what kept him going to earning him an average of Sh1,500 per day to date.
“I make an average of Sh45,000 per month from this business. I have employed two youths who help me in my daily operation," he says.
The young photographer who has inspired many youths in town is hoping to open other branches across the counties and also start a recording studio.
Kamau who is still a bachelor and hoping to start a family in future draws his inspiration from popular talented producers such as young Wallace and J.B Blessings.