A Kenyan photographer with a difference

Ben Kiruthi

Founder

benkiruthi Photography

Tell us something about your business or professional background?

I run a photography business together with my fiancée Faith Gathoni. Our core business is lifestyle & wedding photography…that is where our heart & love is. My 1^st degree is in Electronics & Computer Engineering from JKUAT. I also hold an MBA in Entrepreneurship. I have no training whatsoever in Photography…all I know has been as a result of my God-given passion.

Why photography?

 

Well…about two years ago, I realized that I had a passion in taking photos especially of people. By then I had a Nokia phone with a 2MP camera…that was my 1^st camera…I loved the way I could be able to tell stories through images…I am big on sharing my story & life with the world & photography provided a medium for me…Also it was my chance of showing the beauty of God’s creation and make the world a better place in my own little way…J

What would you consider to be the most important aspects of this job?

Awesome question…Photography for me is 100%  a reflection of who you are…from me photography is all about telling a story through your own eyes. It is important for a person wishing to get into photography to ask themselves why? Money should never be a reason…passion, love should be. I have one of the best jobs in the world…since I love what I do and do what I love…

What is imani initiative? And what motivated you to start it?

Imani Initiative is an initiative that started about a month ago…let me start from where it all began. Around a month ago, Faith & I were just taking some time away on a Sunday afternoon. It was then that we thought about the wonderful platform that God had given us via photography. We then wondered what is it that we had done to give back…to make a path for others to be great. We realized that all great people share & help others to be great. We then prayed & asked God to give us an idea where we would be able to give back to the society.

This is when God gave us the idea of Imani Initiative, so the initiative is basically us going round the region (EA includedJ) and training photographers/Photography enthusiasts on how to take professional photos & also how they can be able to start their own small photography business. We train them all that God has taught us along our photography journey and the best thing is that is it absolutely free for our students. We take care of our own transport & accommodation.

Where did you learn the art of photography?

Well…as I mentioned I have no formal or informal photography training. I learned most of what I know through asking a lot of questions, doing tonnes&tonnes of research online. Also I used to get video tuitorials via youtube and then teach myself and practice what I learnt from them. I learnt as a rookie in the industry that most established photographers were unwilling to provide me with information or mentor me…but God in His awesome grace made a way for me to be able to learn. Research & practice was really key to me & last but not least God made a way for me & provided me with that extra X-factor that I needed to help me come up with amazing amazing images.

What part has being a saved Christian played in your success?

Well, a big big part…I attribute all that we have been able to achieve in the past 3 years to God. God has been our biggest secret & our secret motivator. About a year ago, I was frustrated…business was so slow, photography had too many challenges & I was ready to quit all together & try something less involving. That is when God told us what we were doing wrong. He told us to make Him #1, numerouno in our business. At 1^st I was very skeptic…how could I make God #1 in my fashion photography business? But then I just did it. I made sure every aspect of our business glorified God. Made sure that through all my business dealings He was #1. In a matter of month we had a complete turnaround. God rescued our business and now we never ever going back…Ben Kiruthi Photography is and will always be a tool to glorify & honor God here on earth for as long as we both have breath.

Who is your inspiration?

GOD---The End!

What your advice to those wishing to pursue photography as a career?

Well…Photography is one of the best & most fulfilling career this world has to offer. I would encourage anyone wanting & willing to start a business in photography to stop thinking & JUST DO IT! Starting my business is one of the best decision I have ever made. The only things you need to start a business…(Training or prior knowledge is definitely one of them) is Passion, passion, passion. That will keep you going when it gets crazy and you want to quit…you have to love photography so much that all the challenges that lie ahead will just cow in face of your passion…

And lastly if you want to succeed in photography I have 3 of my best kept secrets that have got me so far:

1.      Humility – Always have a humble attitude & be a student of life always…always be hungry to learn & study.

2.      Tithe – This is the secret of all wealth…give a 1/10^th of all your money (All your income in gross), Possessions (all you own) & your time to the work & service of God.

3.      GOD – Put God 1^st in all that you do & plan to…and He will direct your path & crown your every effort & dream with success.

What is your vision?

‘To become one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world & influence thousands of photography enthusiasts via the Imani Initiative all for the glory of God”

In what ways do you use social media personally and for business?

Awesome question…I began my business 2.5 years ago on social media. Social media is responsible for helping me start & grow my brand and make me who I am today. The following are the ways I use social media in my business:

1.      Personally I use it to share my life through images & updates to my friends/followers/subscribers.

2.      Personally I love using foursquare to share my travels &instagram to share my life story through images.

3.      For the business I use my facebook pages (Ben Kiruthi Photography & Ben Kiruthi) to share images/ updates & blog posts with my fans.

4.      I use my personal twitter account (@benkiruthi) for both my personal tweets & also my business updates to keep my followers up to date on what is happening in my life & career.

5.      I also share my blog post updates via my Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest&StumbleUpon profiles.

 What are some of techniques that you apply online and offline to drive traffic to your page, profile or twitter handle?

1.      I have the account details on my business cards that I dish out often.

2.      Have a facebook& twitter widget on my blog (www.benkiruthi.com) whereby those who visit it can be able to like or follow me.

3.      Include the details on my email signature.

What has been your biggest achievement in Social Media Marketing?

To be able to translate my time & effort online into business deals & that pays my bills & puts food on my table. I thank God.

What are your strengths and weaknesses/challenges in social media?

Strength:

~I have a large following especially on facebook and this provides a large market for me to be able to market my services.

~It is easy for me to communicate with my clients and I am able to respond to client requests in real time.

~ I am able to share information with a wide spectrum of people all over the world at the click of a button.

Challenges:

~ Getting more followers on twitter.

~ Not very many Kenyans are embracing other social media esp for business purposes i.e. Google+ & LinkedIn.

~Rights issues, with some clients having issues with their photos being shared via social media.

 And would you involve a social media consultant in managing your presence online?  

-Yes, yes…It would be a great idea

What are some of the lessons you’ve learnt about social media that you’d like to share with us? Your advice to Kenyans?

-Social media is a great, great marketing tool for any business whether small, medium or big. Having a good online presence is very important especially since more & more Kenyans are spending increased times on line. It is important to consider it as a key marketing avenue and do all you can to put your brand out there via social media.