Street photography in Nairobi

Hey Christopher,

If you’re going to be in rural areas with a fixer, should be no problem- as long as he knows the community or can accurately explain why you are taking photos. People mostly want to know why… street photography is hard here for that reason, especially in Nairobi. People tend to not like their photos taken in the cities… because they have no idea why you want to take their photo, they think you’re making money off them, etc..

I would say just rely on your good fixer to help assess the situation and get you out of trouble if anyone wants to cause it. Really though, not a huge problem. No one is going to get aggressive.

Good luck,
j

Thanks Jonathan, seems like common sense and slight caution rule the day once again. (plus a good fixer). I think that because of my ability to stand out in a crowd of Kenyans, I am more apt to begin conversations and be humbly forward with people, because they are noticing me anyway, “mazunga!” That helps to alleviate a bit of tension and I have mostly found kenyans to be responsive to a friendly gesture.

hahahah not Mazunga but Muzungu,,,,,,am a fixer based in kenya ,been around over 12 yrs as a fixer in Doc’s, Tvcs and feature and speak seven local tribes…am available if you need a fixer,
trimwah@yahoo.co.uk 0r +254722718425

Christopher, perhaps you could lose some height. Maybe drop down to 5’6" or so.

Thanks for the tip, Barry, but this begs that unfortunate, yet perennial question, “From which end do your remove the excess?”

A good point, Christopher. Just another example of my theories having no basis in reality.

Was out there late last year…my experience was very good…if you’re out on the streets very very early in the morning then I found the locals were mostly very friendly and welcoming (I should say that I had to have an armed guard…but he stayed in the background!!!). Just go for it AND if you do have a fixer then don’t doubt their advice!