Daily Inspiration: Meet Peter Wangechi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Wangechi.

Hi Peter, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am originally from Nairobi, Kenya. It all started when my uncle, who now lives in St. Louis, gave me a small point and shoot Sony camera as a present while in high school (Starehe Boys’ Centre & School, Nairobi). I was fascinated by how a digital camera works. Learning how to use it exposed me to the idea of using it as a source of money during school trips.

I liked the whole concept of photography, pushed myself each day to learn new things about my camera using YouTube tutorials and online photography lessons. After high school, I traveled to the United States to hike again in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA. The trip which was and is sponsored by the Three Corner Round Outfit Inc. based in Novelty, OH saw the passion I had for photography and bought me a very nice and powerful Canon Point and Shoot camera (Powershot SX 530 HS). This was the beginning of an even better path for me in photography.

I have built a brand since 2019 and I can see the progress made through passion and the love for the art and the support I have received from family and friends. I now have a better Canon camera body, the Canon 800D with various different lenses to suit my photography needs; Nature, Landscape, and Portraits photography. My love for adventure has resulted in some awesome photos in the mountains during different expeditions in Kenya and in the United States.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are definitely various challenges that I have faced on my journey as a photographer. The equipment I use is quite expensive and I have used a lot of money to invest in them. There is also a struggle with getting the clients for portraits photographs, especially since I have not done it for a long time but I believe with consistent work, I will make it to the pro level and create fantastic work.

There is also a challenge of marketing the photos I take in the wild, that is, nature and landscape photos which I sell as prints. Apart from that, most of my work has been particularly smooth and I hope to create more inspiring photographs in the coming days.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an all-rounded young man, who is most interested in outdoor adventure. As a safari/hiking guide in Kenya and also a participant in summer expeditions in the Sierras, I have had an opportunity to create some wonderful outdoor and travel photographs while exploring different places.

Most of my work is on travel, landscape, and nature photography, showcasing the beautiful world we live in and what the outdoors has to offer. I am an amateur photographer who is working hard to get into pro-level photography and inspire the world through the eye of a camera. One of the pieces of work I’m proud of is a photo I submitted in 2020 to the UNICEF KENYA #REIMAGINEKE Challenge where my photo was featured during Worlds Children’s Day. (https://www.unicef.org/kenya/stories/reimagine-kenya-competition-finalists).

I strive to get quality, storytelling photos that describe how people live, what I feel, and what I see in my adventures. This I hope will inspire and motivate more youths to join the field of photography and outdoor work and experience the magic that comes with it.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk. I took a business class about risks and they talk about how every business-oriented mind or an entrepreneur has to take some risks in order to progress with what they want to achieve. I did take a risk of engaging myself in a field that requires a lot of resources channeled to buying expensive equipment.

I now realize that the risk I took, that is, using my savings to buy the equipment that I need is paying off. I can see progress in the photo quality and the exposure I get from it.

Taking risks, especially while trying to create or develop a brand/ business is not the best idea but it is something one has to always think about. Are the risks worth the benefits I will receive if all goes well? That is a question I always ask myself before making any risky move.

Pricing:

• Family Photo-shoots- USD 250
• Outdoors sessions- USD 200
• Events- USD 100 per hour
• Prints- Prices based on the size of the print, from USD 30

Contact Info:

• Email: pierrendiritu@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.pierrendirituphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pierrendiritu_photography/
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/peter.ndiritu.507679/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pierrendiritu
• Other: https://quattrosafarihikes.ukit.io