2018 has been joyful, a lot of hard work, celebratory, at times over whelming and all together beautiful.
I had my first book published! And we had an overwhelming response. Forewarned by the printers/publishers it could take up to 5 years to sell for a print run of 4,000. The Unsung Heroes sold 4,500 books in 4 months. You can buy it here and read about it here and 100% of the proceeds go back to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
I happened to save an old photo studio from closing by taking over the rent and photographed people wearing their Sunday Best.
10 Sundays later I had 100’s of walk-in clients in one of Kenya’s largest informal settlements, Kibera. Everybody who sat took away a portrait as a gift and the studio turned into a gallery. It’s ongoing…
I received some awards for it – the biggest being National Geographic’s 2018 Photo Contest 1st Prize – People Category, The International Photography Awards 2018 -Event Photographer of the Year, LensCultures top 50 Emerging Talents for 2018 and Life Framers Open Call.
I traveled for some high end destination weddings… and photographed 3 with Samburu and Masai blessings in Ol Malo, The Mara and Segera. Weddings, don’t just pay my bills but they make me a better photographer. And thus I’m very grateful for each one and the people I meet through them.
Finally, my work hung in 3 exhibitions in New York this December. And I took a trip over to see it…ofcourse!
It’s been… joyful, a lot of hard work and exhilarating.
I hope 2019 is great for you.
Mia
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