In January 2021, Thandiwe Muriu was interviewed for UNESCO’s Diversity of Cultural Expressions. In the article, she states that “starting out as a professional photographer was not easy. Entrepreneurship is a relatively new path in Kenya, so banks did not offer me a loan. I reinvested the money I earned from shoots to buy equipment. It took me a while to collect everything I needed. There was also a stigma to fight. Many people saw photography as a side job whilst you find a “real career” – Plan C or D at best. It was hard knowing that people thought it was my hobby and I was not contributing to Kenya’s development.” Muriu has, since then, been widely lauded for her distinctive style, showcasing Africa’s unique heritage of cultures and vibrant colour palettes, including being featured as one of CNN’s African Voices Changemakers in 2019. The following works are clean, crisp and elegant, demonstrating the skill and vision of a rising star.
Image Credits:
1. Model: @belengakuany. Makeup: Sinitta Akello @sinittaakello. Clothing: AAchera Atelier @a_achera. Photographer: Thandiwe Muriu @thandiwe_muriu.
2. Model: @belengakuany. Makeup: Sinitta Akello @sinittaakello. Clothing: AAchera Atelier @a_achera. Photographer: Thandiwe Muriu @thandiwe_muriu.
3. Model: @belengakuany. Makeup: Sinitta Akello @sinittaakello. Clothing: AAchera Atelier @a_achera. Photographer: Thandiwe Muriu @thandiwe_muriu.
4. Model: @belengakuany. Makeup: Sinitta Akello @sinittaakello. Clothing: AAchera Atelier @a_achera. Photographer: Thandiwe Muriu @thandiwe_muriu.
5. Model: @belengakuany. Makeup: Sinitta Akello @sinittaakello. Clothing: AAchera Atelier @a_achera. Photographer: Thandiwe Muriu @thandiwe_muriu.
6. Model: @belengakuany. Makeup: Sinitta Akello @sinittaakello. Clothing: AAchera Atelier @a_achera. Photographer: Thandiwe Muriu @thandiwe_muriu.
