Alex Okwomi trains his lens on his latest clients: two young women whose identical crimson dresses will make a striking photo as they pose and pout against the photogenic skyline of Nairobi’s central business district.
“You must have that good language to convince them,” the 27-year-old street photographer says, explaining how he approaches stylish people walking in the Kenyan capital’s central business district (CBD).
Okwomi is among dozens of young snappers who have seized on a government decision in 2022 to lift restrictions on photography in the CBD and promote the creative economy.
Police officers are now keeping an eye out for would-be equipment thieves – and no longer moving photographers on.
“Street photography has changed the streets,” said Okwomi, who gave up a job in a fast-food restaurant and earns about 100 shillings (75 US cents) for each photo.
