You can now send in your photo entries, says Kenya Photography Awards

The Photographers’ Association of Kenya has today launched the 2015 Kenya Photography Awards and Expo.

Now in its second year, the awards will see photographers submit their photos on the Kenya Photography Awards website between December 19^th, 2014 to January 15, 2015 under nine (9) broad categories (From seven (7) last year, namely – Creative, Portraiture, News, Sports, Nature, Daily Life, Young Photographer of the Year with an additional two new categories; People’s Choice and Special category (Climate Change).

It will bring together suppliers and stakeholders in the industry in a 3-day-long interactive Expo showcasing their products and services to the end users.

Organized by PAWA 254, a social enterprise, in collaboration with the Photographers’ Association of Kenya (P.A.K), the awards will seek to recognize skill, talent and hard work among professionals and rising photographers in the country.

Commenting on the launch, General Manager PAWA 254, Njeri Mwangi noted,” Photography is an art that needs to be nurtured enough by all key stakeholders industry for it to grow in the country. The awards will provide that right platform for enthusiastic photo lovers to showcase their skills through the art.”

She added: “Last year we received a total of 1280 entries with a considerable low number of entries from ladies. I would like to call out to all those female photographers to come out and showcase their talent in this space.  

This comes at a time when the photography industry is steadily growing with many young people opting to choose the “art” as a professional full time career and erking a living from it.

On his part, 2013 Overall Photographer of the Year Thomas Mukoya noted: “This is a perfect opportunity for all those young photographers who have always wanted to try out something new. Together let’s grow the photography industry in the country.”

The awards will see winners walk away with both cash prizes, certificates and plaques. The awards event will be held in the first quarter of 2015.

Photographers that were feted in 2013 include – Thandiwe Muriu who scooped two awards, for the Portraiture and Young Photographer categories, Joe Kiragu who bagged the Creative award, Georgina Goodwin for the News award. Karim Kara for Nature and David Mutua for Daily Life. The overall photographer of the year 2013 was awarded to Thomas Mukoya.