Omariba Angwenyi: Kenyan street and nature photographer finding meaning in overlooked moments

Omariba Angwenyi is a Kenyan street and nature photographer based in Kigali, Rwanda. His work focuses on everyday moments and experiences, with an interest in the details that people can easily overlook.

He began taking photography seriously after discovering the medium as a teenager, and his practice has since grown across street, nature, and event photography. He is drawn to changing city spaces, quiet scenes, people, and small details that can reveal something about the places where they happen.

How did you get started in photography?

My interest in photography became serious after a school trip to Akagera National Park. I remembered that my dad had a camera sitting in a wardrobe at home, so I took it with me for the trip. I fell in love with photography during that experience and, jokingly, did not want to give the camera back.

That trip made me realise how much I enjoyed paying attention to my surroundings and keeping a record of what I was seeing. From there, I started taking photography more seriously and continued learning by photographing the world around me.

How would you describe yourself?

I would describe myself as a fairly simple person. I am more drawn to adventure and experiencing things in the real world than spending a lot of time watching films or reading books.

Photography has become a way for me to stay present. It makes me pay attention to what is happening around me, whether I am walking through a city, spending time in nature, or simply noticing something that I might have ignored before.

What are the main themes that inspire your photography?

I am drawn to love, unity, and beauty. I photograph both streets and nature, and I often find myself paying attention to details that people might normally walk past.

It could be a building that is about to be demolished, the shadow of a tree, or a quiet street. These small things can carry a certain feeling, and I enjoy finding them.

I am also interested in mystery and simplicity. I like photographs that leave room for the viewer to think about what they are seeing. A simple scene can still say something about connection, beauty, or the way we experience a place.

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

Reaching 10,000 followers on Instagram is one of the moments I am most proud of. I remember when I had around 1,000 followers, so seeing the community grow to that point meant a lot to me.

There is still a lot of room for me to grow, but knowing that thousands of people have chosen to follow my work and connect with what I share has been meaningful. It showed me that the photographs I make can resonate with people.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a photographer?

There arre quite a few, but one of them has been having access to the equipment I need. I have often worked without the kind of camera or newer equipment that can make certain photographs easier to create, and there have been moments when I have missed shots because of those limitations.

Living in Rwanda has also shaped my experience. I have lived here for most of my life, and sometimes I feel that my surroundings limit the variety of places I can photograph compared with friends who have had opportunities to travel.

At the same time, I am grateful for the opportunities Rwanda has given me. These limitations have also pushed me to work with what is around me and find photographs within my own environment.

What type of photography do you specialise in?

Mainly street and nature photography. Kigali is changing quickly, and there is always something new to notice in the city. Nature is also close by, which gives me another way to photograph my surroundings.

I have become more interested in photographing people and including a wider range of subjects in my work. I pay attention to composition and think carefully about how I frame what is in front of me.

What is your primary commercial niche?

Event photography is my main commercial area. Kigali has a growing events and business scene, and there are opportunities to work with churches, businesses, construction companies, and other organisations.

I see event photography as an area that can help me build photography into a sustainable profession while continuing to develop my personal work.

Which global brands, photographers, or industries do you feel your work aligns with most?

I would like to work with Canon, particularly through the Canon Explorers of Light community. I also draw inspiration from friends and other creatives whose work I come across.

I am interested in opportunities that allow me to keep developing my photography while working with people and organisations that value strong images and visual storytelling.

How's the photography and art space in Kenya?

There are growing opportunities for Black African photographers to share their work and reach wider audiences. I think this creates room for photographers to develop their careers and have their work seen in different parts of the world.

At the same time, there are still differences in the opportunities and fees available to African photographers compared with photographers from outside the continent. That gap affects how photographers build sustainable careers and how their work is valued.

What is one professional standard you never compromise on?

Quality and security are important to me. I want to deliver photographs that meet a high standard, while also taking care of the files and equipment involved in a project.

Working with limited equipment has taught me to be careful with what I have and to protect the work I create. I want people who trust me with their photographs to know that I take that responsibility seriously.

What do you think of the 54Ruum platform?

I think 54Ruum is a beautiful platform. I was still new to the concept when I came across it, but I like the idea of bringing photographers from different African countries together and giving them greater exposure.

Africa has so many different communities and perspectives, and a platform that brings those photographers together can create opportunities for people to discover work they might never have encountered otherwise.