Kondwani Jere, visual storyteller based in Lilongwe, Malawi

Kondwani Jere is a visual storyteller from Malawi who tells stories about everyday life. His work begins in the ordinary gestures, silences, and moments most people walk past. He is drawn to these spaces because they hold truth.

They show who we really are when no one is performing. He believes that presence is part of the story; that how you see people shapes how they are seen. For Jere, photography isn’t about chasing beauty; it’s about finding meaning inside it.

It’s about documenting life with honesty, and about paying attention to what might otherwise be forgotten. He wants his images to live beyond aesthetics, to hold weight, to serve memory, and to be both beautiful and useful.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I am quiet in nature, but deeply curious. I love being around people without rushing to speak - I just watch how life unfolds. I see the world in fragment, light, texture, silence, laughter, and I try to piece them together into meaning.

Photography slows me down; it teaches me to listen with my eyes, to be patient, and to wait for what reveals itself. Through it, I’ve learnt that truth often lives in small gestures- how someone holds their hands, looks away, or simply exists. My work is my way of paying attention, honouring people and places as they are complex, flawed, and beautiful. I am an over-thinker too.

How did you first get into photography? Was there a specific moment, person, or inspiration that sparked your passion for capturing images?

I think the seeds of photography were planted in me early. I grew up surrounded by film cameras and boxes of my dad’s old negatives from his school and university days. I used to play with them as a kid, fascinated by how moments could be frozen in time. Still, I never thought I’d become a storyteller because I was more drawn to the sciences. I studied geology and earth sciences in university.

So, yes, I guess you could say I’m a rockstar. I’m also into daddy jokes and was always taking pictures with my phone; curious about the world around me. My mentor once challenged me to take it seriously and to stop treating it as a hobby. In 2018, I finally picked up a real camera and I haven’t looked back since.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche? How has your style evolved over time?

My focus is on real life, people, places, and the quiet moments that reveal how we live, adapt, and connect. I’m drawn to everyday scenes that say something about who we are as individuals and as a society. I try to understand how history, culture, and circumstance shape ordinary experience.

My photography sits somewhere between observation and reflection. It’s about finding meaning in the familiar, and beauty in the overlooked. Over time, my work has shifted from chasing beautiful images to seeking meaningful ones. I’ve learnt to slow down, to listen, and to create photographs that feel alive and respectful.

Whether I’m in a crowded street or a farmer’s field, I try to make images that hold truth, care, and a sense of presence. I always say I am drawn to beauty in the seemingly mundane.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography? How do you use your images to connect with others?

My work is grounded in presence and slowing down to really see people and the spaces they inhabit. I’m drawn to themes of dignity, resilience, and belonging. I’m interested in how people live with what they have, how they find meaning, beauty, and connection in ordinary circumstances.

Photography for me, is a way of paying attention to say, “I see you”. It’s not about capturing perfection, but about creating a moment of recognition between the viewer and the subject.

When I take a photograph of people, I’m aware that it’s a privilege to be allowed into someone’s space, time, and story. I try to honour that by giving something back. Whenever I can, I return to the communities I’ve photographed and bring prints of the images. It’s a simple gesture, but it means a lot, especially for those who may not have any photographs of themselves.

One of my dreams is to carry a small field printer with me, to print and share images on the spot. It’s my way of saying thank you ,for the trust, the access, and the shared humanity that make these stories possible.

What's the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

There have been a few moments that have meant a lot to me. One was being invited to take part in a three-year touring exhibition in Canada, seeing my work travel to places I’ve never been was humbling.

Another was being invited to the Netherlands to speak at the International Fundraising Congress, where I shared about ethical storytelling-a subject that’s deeply personal to me especially as an African storyteller.

I’ve also had the privilege of participating in a residency at the Market Photo Workshop, an experience that challenged and refined my crafts. Seeing my work published by platforms like Bloomberg and the Sunday-Times, reminded me that stories from Malawi can carry weight on a global stage.

Each of these milestones has affirmed that photography is more than a profession for me-it’s a way of contributing meaningfully to how our stories are seen and understood.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it? What did you learn from that experience?

The biggest challenge has been internal, learning to trust my own voice. I’ve always wrestled with doubt, identity, and overthinking things. For a long time, I struggled to ask for help, so I had to figure out a lot on my own. I made mistakes, many of them, but they became lessons in resilience and self-reliance.

Through it all, I learnt that self-awareness is a kind of superpower. It grounds everything.

I’ve also had to grow in the softer skills like communication, relationships, and the business side of creativity.

I’ve learnt that being a photographer isn’t just about making images; it’s about building trust, managing expectations, and protecting your values.

The biggest lesson has been learning to say NO to projects or opportunities that don’t align with what I stand for; this clarity has made my work and my life more honest.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

This is a hard one, as there are so many but I would love to collaborate with Nana Kofi Acquah — @africashowboy. I admire how he documents everyday life across Africa with honesty, empathy, and wit. His photographs hold space for humour and heartbreak in the same frame, proof that truth can be tender.

What moves me most is how he writes with his camera; his captions carry the same care as his images. I see in his work a reminder that storytelling can be both personal and universal, and that beauty often lives inside truth. Collaborating with him would be a chance to learn, to grow, and to see with even more humanity.

How's the photography and art space in your country: how has it evolved in recent years?

The photography and art space in Malawi is still finding its footing. For a long time, photography here has been seen mainly as a business, a way to make a living rather than a creative pursuit. Most people entered it through commercial paths like weddings or events, where the focus was on what sells, not necessarily– on voice, vision, or artistic identity.

Though that’s slowly changing. There’s a growing wave of younger photographers exploring personal projects, documentary work, and new forms of visual expression. You can feel a shift, more curiosity, individuality, and courage to experiment.

It’s still early, but I think Malawi’s photography scene is starting to develop its own language, one that reflects who we are rather than what the market expects.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?

I would say start by paying attention. Don’t rush to take photos, learn to see first. Photography is less about equipment and more about awareness, patience, and curiosity.

Take time to understand light, people, and moments. Don’t chase trends or validation; build your own eye. Most of all, stay honest with yourself.