How Mel’s photography journey began behind her sister’s lens

Melinah Jepkemoi, fondly referred to as Mel, is a rising photographer whose journey into the art form is defined not by business ambitions, but by pure passion. 

With no formal training or commercial intentions, Mel has steadily grown her craft through personal exploration, a touch of family influence, and an unwavering desire to document the world around her especially the vibrancy of her hometown, Nakuru.

Mel’s interest in photography was sparked by her sister in 2022, a professional photographer, who often brought her along on shoots and asked for help behind the scenes. 

From holding lights to assisting with angles, Mel was introduced to the technical side of the craft early on. 

“My sister taught me to hold a camera, focus, and many more. It wasn’t professional training, but it shaped me,” Mel recalls. 

Her first photo was of her sister in a new outfit, which she notes was not perfect, and in fact, she eventually deleted it, but it ignited a flame that hasn’t gone out since.

Although she has never pursued photography as a business, Mel has covered events, taken candid street portraits, and even received tips from appreciative strangers. Yet, she emphasizes that money has never been her motivation. 

“I’m doing it for passion, I’m doing it because it feels good. I’m doing it because it’s good for my mental health,” she says. 

For Mel, photography is a personal sanctuary an avenue for self-expression, healing, and creativity.

Recently, Mel’s work was selected and showcased at the Frames of Nakuru Exhibition by the Baraza Media Lab. The work she showcased was taken in the streets of Nakuru on a Sunday with a borrowed camera. She was the only female exhibitor in the show!

Her goal? To capture the unseen beauty of her city. “I don’t own a camera, but I got one for the day and just walked around. I take a lot of photos, and I hope to continue until I am old,” she explains.

Among her most meaningful images was one of a pineapple vendor, a scene that captured the hustle and determination of Nakuru’s people. 

“That photo was like a gold star for me. I had planned to shoot the SGR in the morning, but it didn’t work out. I was disappointed until I saw this man. He became my first photo of the day, and from that moment, I felt like everything fell into place,” she says.

Mel's photographs focus on everyday life, fruit vendors, public spaces, and street culture, painting a narrative of a city that is clean, organized, and artistically alive. 

“Nakuru is beautiful. We have spaces like Nyayo and Lions, and we’re not congested. There’s a lot of art in the streets. Art is the main language of this city,” she says passionately.

Despite her growing skills and recognition, Mel remains grounded. “I don’t want my photos to be like anyone else’s. They can be different, but still beautiful,” she says. 

Her philosophy is rooted in authenticity, exploration, and the joy of capturing moments that matter.

As she continues her journey, Mel remains open to wherever photography may lead whether it's simply a personal archive of her youthful days or a path that eventually turns commercial. 

But one thing is clear for Mel, photography will always be more than a job. It’s a way of life.