Meet Kathomi Maorwe

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kathomi Maorwe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kathomi, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

From a young age, I knew my calling lay in the creative arts. Whether it was performing arts, drawing, or painting, I was consistently drawn to expression through creativity. Growing up in Kenya, however, art was not widely considered a viable career path. Fortunately, my parents always had a camera handy, and I frequently used it to capture memories during school trips.

During my college years studying Arts and Design, I specialized in product design, focusing on crafts such as pottery, leatherwork, and jewelry making. After graduating, I became a parent almost immediately and chose to dedicate myself to raising my three children over pursuing a career.

It wasn’t until I turned 26 and received a camera as a birthday gift that I rediscovered my passion for photography. Capturing people’s expressions and emotions brought me immense joy, allowing me to explore new concepts and express myself artistically.

The turning point came when I embarked on a mental health project during a period of severe postpartum depression. This project became a lifeline, not just for me but for others who resonated deeply with its message. By sharing my own struggles through photography, I sparked a meaningful dialogue on topics like depression, anxiety, and suicide. Connecting with others who found solace and empowerment in my project illuminated my path forward, revealing my purpose: to use photography as a tool for advocacy and empathy, fostering understanding and support through visual storytelling.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a photographer and visual artist based in Nairobi and Kilifi, Kenya. The most fulfilling aspect of my work is witnessing the joy on people’s faces when I capture their portraits or craft narratives through event photography. Additionally, telling stories through my own self-portraits and evoking emotions via photography and photo manipulation brings me immense satisfaction.

Currently, I am passionate about sharing concepts that don’t require an expensive setup. I aim to show my followers how storytelling can be achieved with everyday resources and some creative editing. While there’s a misconception that a compelling concept necessitates an expensive studio setup, I believe in the power of creativity with readily available tools. Expensive equipment certainly has its advantages, but it should not be a barrier to sharing and expressing oneself through art.

Looking ahead, I envision selling prints to those who appreciate the art I create through my concepts. I also hope to host a walk-in gallery where people can experience and engage with my work firsthand

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Curiosity has been instrumental for me; the desire to understand and learn how things work has greatly influenced my craft, particularly in post-editing, which plays a pivotal role in photography.

Resilience, as Elizabeth Gilbert wrote in “Big Magic,” teaches that done is better than good. As a creative, much of what we produce may not be perfect or receive the expected reception. The key is to persist and continue creating, as this is how inspiration and motivation are sustained.

Lastly, adaptability is crucial in photography. Being flexible enough to adjust to different environments, lighting conditions, and unexpected challenges during shoots, and having the problem-solving skills to overcome technical or creative obstacles, is invaluable.

To those embarking on this journey, remember that inspiration doesn’t always strike magically. It’s essential to keep shooting, keep learning, and consistently produce work—even if some of it feels subpar. Eventually, perseverance pays off, but above all, never give up.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic” resonated deeply with me.

One particular insight that struck a chord was this:
“Forget about perfect. You don’t have time for perfect. It’s a myth and a trap, a hamster wheel that will run you to exhaustion. Perfectionism is fear disguised in fancy attire, pretending to be graceful when in reality, it’s just scared. Beneath its shiny surface lies a profound existential angst repeating, ‘I’m not good enough, and I’ll never be good enough.’ Eventually, you have to finish your work and release it as it is, if only to move forward with a joyous and determined heart, which is what truly matters—or at least it should.”

This is the one book i would tell all creatives to read.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kathomimaorwe94.pixieset.com/
• Instagram: Kathomiphotography
• Linkedin: Lillian Maorwe
• Twitter: Kathomi Maorwe
• Other: https://www.behance.net/lilliankathomi

Image Credits

Photography by Kathomi Maorwe