Arsene Usabamungu: Rwandan corporate, event and documentary photographer creating purposeful visual stories

Arsene Usabamungu is a Rwandan photographer dedicated to creating visuals that serve a purpose. For him, photography is about more than beautiful images; it is about people, stories, and moments that deserve to be remembered.

Based in Kigali, Rwanda, he is the founder of Arty Studios. Every shoot is an opportunity to learn something new and a reminder of why he picked up a camera in the first place. His work is rooted in authenticity, capturing images that feel real, honest, and meaningful.

Alongside photography, Arsene is passionate about filmmaking and hopes to tell stories that represent Africa in a genuine and nuanced way. As his journey continues to unfold, he remains committed to learning, growing, and creating work that leaves a lasting impact.

How did you get started in photography?

When I was growing up, my family owned a small digital camera. Whenever we had visitors, my parents would ask me to take photographs for them. At the time, I never imagined photography would become my career. Back then, it was not widely respected and many people saw it as an inexpensive profession with little future.

Everything changed the first time I held a professional DSLR camera. I was fascinated by it and became curious about how it worked. My knowledge of photography was very limited, but that curiosity motivated me to keep learning. In 2020, I decided to pursue photography seriously, and that decision marked the beginning of my journey

How would you describe yourself?

I would describe myself as naturally curious and always eager to learn. I am not only motivated by success but by becoming better at what I do every day. I enjoy understanding why a photograph works, why a film scene feels emotional, and how I can tell stories more effectively.

I spend a lot of time studying photography and filmmaking because I believe there is always something new to learn, whether from fellow creatives or educational resources. Once something captures my interest, I can spend hours researching it simply because I want to understand it as deeply as possible.

What are the main themes that inspire your photography?

I am inspired by the moments people often overlook — quiet emotions, genuine interactions, and the small details that tell much bigger stories. Those are often the moments people remember long after everything else has faded.

I want my photographs to take people back to how a moment felt, not just how it looked. Whether someone was there or not, I want them to connect with the emotion in the image and feel as though they are part of that story.

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

Starting Arty Studios at a young age is one of the achievements I am most proud of. It reminded me that every ambitious goal begins with taking the first step.

I am also grateful to have exhibited my work during World Photography Day in Rwanda through the Professional Photographers of Rwanda, and to have contributed to the Visit Rwanda project during the visits of the PSG Women's Football Team and the national handball team. Those opportunities showed me that the work I had been putting in was beginning to open new doors.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer?

Getting started was not easy. Like many photographers, I did not own my equipment, so I rented everything I needed for each assignment. There were times when almost everything I earned went towards rental costs.

As a freelancer, earning people's trust was equally challenging. Sometimes clients would tell me they liked my work but still choose someone else for the project. Experiences like that made me question myself.

Instead of waiting until I had everything I needed, I focused on improving my skills, showing up consistently, and letting my work speak for itself. I also accepted unpaid and low-paying projects to build my portfolio and gain experience. Through that process, I learned that trust is earned through reliability, consistency, and the quality of your work.

What type of photography do you specialise in?

I mainly specialise in corporate, event, and documentary photography. I enjoy environments where real moments are constantly unfolding because every event tells a unique story.

Over time, my style has become more intentional. While I still value creating clean, visually engaging photographs, I now place equal importance on context, emotion, and ensuring every image serves a purpose.

What is your primary commercial niche?

My primary commercial niche is corporate and event photography. One of the things I enjoy most about events is that very little can be staged. You have to respond to moments as they happen, interpreting the event through your own perspective while remaining faithful to the story unfolding in front of you.

What is your unique technical or visual approach?

I believe every image should have a reason to exist. Before thinking about camera settings or editing, I try to understand what the client wants to communicate.

My goal is to create visuals that serve a purpose, whether that means documenting an event, telling a brand story, or preserving an important memory.

I also approach every assignment with one thought in mind: if I were the only photographer covering the event, the photographs I choose to make would shape how the world remembers it.

Which global brands, photographers, or industries do you feel your work aligns with most?

Agencies such as Getty Images, Reuters, and AFP have greatly influenced the way I think about visual storytelling through honest, enduring imagery.

I also admire photographers including Daniel Torok, Pete Souza, Reem Photography, Bedge, and Maja Moan, alongside Rwandan photographers such as Rey, Plaisir Muzogeye, Artistic Eye, Dan Gatsinzi, Manudy Emma, Luqman Mahoro, and Sam Mironko. Seeing photographers from Rwanda produce world-class work reminds me that powerful stories can come from anywhere.

What is one professional standard you never compromise on?

Quality, integrity, and punctuality.

No matter the size of the project, I believe every client deserves work that meets a high standard, honest communication throughout the process, and delivery on time. Those are values I never compromise on.

How's the photography and art space in Rwanda?

Rwanda's creative industry has grown significantly over the past few years. Photography is becoming more widely respected, and there are more opportunities for creatives than ever before.

It is encouraging to see the government recognising the creative industry as an important contributor to the country's economic growth and supporting its development.

There is still room for greater commercial opportunities and international exposure, but it is inspiring to see more young people pursuing creative careers with confidence.

What do you think of the 54Ruum platform?

I believe 54Ruum is building something genuinely valuable for African photographers. It is more than a platform to showcase work; it has the potential to connect creatives with meaningful opportunities, increase visibility, and strengthen the photography community across the continent. Building those connections alone can be difficult, which makes platforms like 54Ruum especially important.