Meklit Fekadu: Ethiopian portrait and fashion photographer exploring identity and human connection

Meklit Fekadu is a Berlin-based photographer whose work moves fluidly between portraiture and fashion. Her images explore the emotional and cultural dimensions of identity, often revealing strength and softness in the same frame.

Through light, texture, and clothing, she transforms the visual language of fashion into a medium for human connection and storytelling. Drawing from both intimacy and observation, her photographs offer a quiet yet powerful dialogue between authenticity and aesthetics.

How would you describe yourself?

I like to think of myself as an extroverted introvert with a soft heart — equal parts social butterfly and sensitive crybaby.

How did you get started in photography?

I actually got into photography in a pretty organic way. Back then, it was quite trendy to shoot DSLR photos for Facebook, so I asked my parents for a camera and got one. 

Honestly, I forgot about it for a while. Later on, I started taking photos of my friends on my phone. They were wearing clothes from a streetwear store I used to work at, and we would just shoot casually. At some point, I picked up the camera again, and that is when it really clicked. And the rest is history.

What type of photography do you specialise in?

I dabble in portrait and fashion photography, with a strong focus on capturing people in an honest and emotionally present way. I have always loved working with people and showing their essence beyond the surface.

Fashion plays a big role in my work because of how it can transform how someone feels and carries themselves, and I am interested in capturing that shift. Over time, my style has become more intimate and emotionally driven, balancing strength with vulnerability.

What are the main themes that inspire your photography?

I am mainly moved by the human experience — everything that comes with being alive. My photography has always been a way for me to process what is happening in the world around me and within me.

Over time, that personal approach has allowed others to connect with my work, especially people from similar backgrounds.

For me, photography is not just about creating images. It is about creating a space where people feel seen, understood, and reflected.

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

I created a very personal project in Addis Ababa with my grandmother, in her home. Alongside the photographs, I also produced a short film. 

The work was later exhibited in Berlin, and what made it truly special was seeing my entire family there — multiple generations, all in one space, surrounded by art, even though many of them did not come from an art background. It felt like a full-circle moment, connecting my work to my roots and bringing my worlds together.

On a commercial level, I am also really proud to have shot my first large-scale out-of-home campaign last year, which ran across Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Seeing my work exist in public space on that scale was a big milestone for me.

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

I am quite sad at the fact that I am not really being taken seriously as a young Black woman in a male-dominated industry.

I realised early on that I did not want to waste energy trying to convince people of my worth. Instead, I focused on refining my craft, expanding my skill set, and staying grounded in what I know. Your knowledge and your work are things no one can take from you.

I learned to let my work speak, and that shift has been key in building both my confidence and my position in the industry.

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

There are so many people I would love to work with, but one that stands out is photographer and director Renell Medrano.

I really admire how deeply grounded she is in her roots and how she has been able to work with major artists while staying true to her visual language, even within commercial projects. That balance is something I strive for in my own work.

Brand-wise, I would love to collaborate with Wales Bonner. The way they merge culture, identity, and fashion feels very aligned with my approach. Shooting a campaign for their Adidas collaborations would honestly be a dream.

What do you think of the 54Ruum?

I think 54Ruum is a very important platform with significant potential to grow. There is a real need for spaces that centre African visual storytellers and perspectives. Thank you for creating that visibility and doing this work.

How's the photography and art space in Ethiopia?

I moved to Germany at a young age, so I only recently started connecting with photographers back home. From what I have seen, there is a lot of incredible talent across different disciplines.

Painting still seems to hold more prestige culturally, but I am confident that photography spaces in Ethiopia will continue to grow and gain more recognition.

Advice someone considering a career in photography

Never forget why you started. Compare yourself to others only for inspiration, not validation. Your lived experience is what makes your eye unique, and no one can replicate that.