Photography is my heartbeat: Kujenga

Tafadzwa Zimoyo recently in the United Kingdom

His love for photography is simply irresistible. 

The passion started at 10 and the calling continued no matter how he decided to pursue other careers. 

After studying Finance and Banking in the United Kingdom, he still found himself in love with the camera. 

While his family and peers at school expected him to excel in the finance and banking sector, he stuck with photography. 

In his spare time, he can’t resist the power of the lenses. 

In short, this is the life of photographer Nigel Tafadzwa Kujenga. 

The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle Herald caught up with Kujenga at Bedford Swan Hotel in UK, where he was doing a photo shoot for gospel musician Eleana Makombe as he opened up about his calling for the camera. 

“Becoming a photographer has been a very long journey that started when I was a 10-year-old in Chitungwiza,” he said. “We had a local man who used to come around to take pictures of families and I was always intrigued by his cameras and the images he produced.

“Fast forward to when I studied at Bedford doing a media course my interest was again piqued and I was able to use the knowledge gained to practice at my church Forward in Faith Ministries as at that time I was part of the media team.

“In 2017 while away on holiday I sat down and decided I wanted to turn my passion for photography into a business.”

Kajenga said he invested in his business and started small taking photos for family and friends who supported him to gain more experience and slowly these grew to being paid shoots. 

“I haven’t looked back since,” he said. 

Like any other father, he still finds time for his family despite being obsessed with photography. 

“When I am not doing anything photography-related, I like spending time with my wife and kids creating memories of our own,” said Kajenga. “I also enjoy watching sporting events like Formula 1 and following Arsenal Football Club. 

“I have also recently been introduced to golf which I occasionally go out to play and relax.” 

Business-wise, he says faith and dedication have taken him this far. 

“I am based in Northamptonshire but travel all across the country,” he said. “Business has been going well over the last few years I have seen more and more growth, an increasing number of bookings, and bigger bookings like weddings.

“But important as we have grown we have developed more meaningful relationships with our clients and fellow photographers in the industry.” 

Kujenga, who believes in hard work, owes his success to his mother.

 “My mother is my role model. Her hardworking and resilient approach to life has inspired me to achieve most things in life including a successful photography business,” he said.

“However, in terms of inspiration, Big H (Nigerian photographer) and photos by Reem (us wedding photographer) are people whose work I draw inspiration from.” 

He opened up on the challenges he faced in his career. 

“The main challenge like with most businesses was during Covid-19 pandemic when due to the pandemic there were no events and therefore no business however things have picked up from there,” he said. 

“Like most IT-based businesses technology is always evolving like smartphones and recently artificial intelligence – AI has in a way made it seem like photography is no longer important and photographers not relevant.” 

The UK-based photographer has special advice for photographers back home. 

“I think in the Zimbabwean photography industry there are some talented photographers and I think collectively improving our skills, learning from each other and also from other internationally renowned photographers would support us more,” said Kajenga. 

“Improving our professional standards and how we approach our work and support our clients is important.” 

In his career, he cherishes big occasions when he photographed some prominent figures. 

“I recently had the opportunity to capture some gospel music legends at the Eleana Makombe — Grateful Concert in Bedford, UK,” said Kajenga. “I captured South African gospel giant Rev Benjamin Dube, Zimbabwean legends Minister Mahendere, the lovely couple Ellard and Sharon Cherayi, comedian Nijo and the lady of the hour Eleana Makombe. 

“In my younger days I had the opportunity to capture London rapper Lethal Bizzle and Los Angeles-based rapper The Game at their shows in the UK.” 

Kajenga believes it difficult to tell which people he would love to capture. 

“I am a wedding storyteller. So it is difficult to identify clients would like to capture however, I would like to work with Kevin the Wedding planner,” he said. 

“I like his work and think I would complement my luxury wedding photography style. I would also love to work on lifestyle shoots with people like Jah Prayzah and MisRed.” 

To show his passion for art, he opened up on what he could have been if he was not a photographer added: “I would be an executive music producer nurturing, promoting, and managing young Zimbabwean artists.  “I would also like to think I would have been good at deejaying. When it comes to the execution of duty, he believes he is unique in his way. My ability to tell a story through images looking beyond imperfections, styles or poses.

“I like to capture beyond just moments and capture emotions and feelings within that moment.”

“What’s important to me is for my images to evolve emotions and feelings that the client felt at the time the image was taken.” 

“When it comes to the number of photographs he has taken, Kujenga has lost count. This is a hard one as I take many photos for example I can take 2 500 images in one wedding however in terms of professional projects/bookings I have worked on over 160.” 

Asked if it was by default or calling to become a photographer, Kujenga explains: “Photography started as the passion that I was fortunate to get the opportunity to study at college but largely I worked hard to learn myself on platforms like YouTube to get to the level I am today.” 

Business-wise, he believes he can still go places. 

“I am looking to grow the business and create some amazing memories for my clients, grow my business, and network with fellow photographers,” said Kajenga. 

As a way of giving back to his kith and kin, he has a noble idea, which keeps ringing in his head. 

“I also would like to start a charity in Zimbabwe that supports young with the fight against Sanitary/period poverty,” he said. “The charity would be aimed at young girls from being unable to access sanitary products due to financial constraints. 

“I currently work as a social worker, working with children with learning and physical disabilities. My role requires me to work together with their families in accessing the services that improve their children’s lives. 

“It’s a very rewarding job in that I help to safeguard them from harm and enable them to achieve their full potential. The job can be time-consuming but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” 

Many of his peers wonder how he ended up in the UK, and he still recalls the journey.

 “I moved to the United Kingdom in 2001 at the age of 16 years to join my mother who had relocated the year before,” he said.

But who is Nigel Tafadzwa Kujenga? 

“I am the first born son to the late Edwin Kujenga and Gertrude Kujenga, born in 1984 in Harare, Zimbabwe and as one of two children, I have a younger sister called Natasha. I moved to the United Kingdom in 2001 at the age of 16 years to join my mother who had relocated the year before. I lived in Milton Keynes with my mother and decided to enrol at Bedford College.

“I studied for a degree in International, Finance, and Banking at the University of Central Bedfordshire and following this started working in the finance industry. During this time, I met Mwazvita the woman who would become my wife and in 2018 we got married and made it official. In 2020 we were blessed with our beautiful daughter Avery and in 2022 our handsome boy Zane was born and our family was complete. 

“After 3 years of working in this industry, I decided to have a career change to do something meaningful so I studied for a Master’s degree in Social work at Hertfordshire University. I am a qualified registered social worker and a photographer.”