Kambua

@kambuaphoto is rewriting beauty standards and every age! Her new “I have earned every line” portrait series features women 50 and up with no makeup and no retouching. It’s a vulnerable and yet powerful way she’s giving women power to just be. #womenshistorymonth #beautyphotography #womensupportingwomen #blackgirlmagic

@headshotcrew Associate - Late post and long but so worth it!!!! . . On August 5, 2019, I met @peter_hurley at ClickCon, a photography conference in Chicago. I remember thinking, *This man’s got energy!* At the time, I wasn’t very active as a headshot photographer because I had a full-time job, and photography was just part-time passion. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit that I really immersed myself in it. I remember how engaged everyone was during the zoom meeting, and honestly, the weekly Headshot Crew hangouts gave us all something to aspire to, especially with the weekly critiques.   My journey as a headshot photographer truly began with the 10,000 Headshots initiative. Peter organized a nationwide event, bringing together photographers from the crew to offer free headshots to people needing them for job applications. As we all know, many people lost their jobs during that time. Providing them with fresh headshots felt like a way to give them a little boost to restart their careers.   I thought I knew how to take headshots—until I tried the Peter Hurley way! I dove into online videos, rented Profoto lights from Dodd Camera, and bought an Eyelighter. From there, I started submitting my work to various contests for critiques. Those Tough Tuesday sessions were exactly that—*tough!* But I never gave up. Now, looking back, I’m grateful for the tough love from Peter because it’s helped me grow tremendously. Today, I can proudly say, *I rock headshots!* I love creating them, and more importantly, I love making people feel amazing about who they are in front of my lens.   Thank you, Peter Hurley, for building such a wonderful community and family for us headshot photographers! This past May, on my birthday month - I became a Headshot Crew Associate!  It was such a proud and meaningful moment. I also want to thank @sharonmorgenstern1 for always being so kind and helping me out on shoots when I wasn’t quite sure how to set up my lights and always making time to be my sounding board.   I look forward to all the AMAZING headshots I will continue to create for my clients making them feel seen and special with every click!

I’m Kambua and a Proud Member of the @blackwomenphotographers ! . . I’m excited to share my love for photography and teaching with all of you! . . . #blackhistorymonth #hireblackwomenphotographers #chicagoportraitphotographer

Meeting Tito . . From restoring furniture to model. I ran into Tito randomly in our building. I just had to photograph him. He had a face with so many stories that needed to be told. . . . #portraitsbykambua #lifedocumented #phototime

Can’t Believe my Birthday is Over 😍 . That for all the wonderful messages and Frankie at @apple business center here in Chicago that made this purchase seamless. . I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in front of my laptop and camera! . . . #apple #macbookpro #kambuachemaphotography #smallbusinessowner #womanownedsmallbusiness

Young Lady…. . One of the highlights of today! Thank you Tito for making me smile! I’m grateful to all who took the time to think of me today, or and send birthday wishes. My heart is full!!! . . . #birthday #kambuachemaphotography #ihaveearnedeveryline

Happy Birthday to the Incredible Kambua! 🎂📸 Today, we are celebrating an award-winning photographer and a vital part of our creative family at Mackay Africa. Kambua has a rare gift for capturing the soul of the wild and the deep human connections. Whether you seek a private, tailored journey or a seat on one of our partners’ expert-led group expeditions, we are here to make it happen. While we specialize in custom, private safaris, we also partner with world-class tour leaders and professional photographers like Kambua for those who prefer the energy of a group photo safari. Secure your spot on Kambua’s upcoming Tribal & Wildlife Safari and see the world through a new lens. 🔗 Register Here: kambuachemaphotography.com/tribal-wildlife-safari-2026 #HappyBirthdayKambua #WildlifePhotography #KenyaSafari #PhotoSafari #MackayAfrica

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers of the world! I remember creating this image of my mother. It was quite the production. At first, she fought me on it, but once we got her into my makeshift studio, I could see her curiosity peak. In a true “lights, camera, action” kind of way, she was suddenly all in - feeling seen, with all the attention on her. The strobe fired. The hand went on the hip. She laughed, chatted, and soaked in every moment as we cheered her on. It became more than a photograph. It became an experience. Regretfully, I never created this kind of moment for my late father, and I promised myself I would never make that mistake again. My father’s memory inspired my project, I Have Earned Every Line — a project rooted in photographing my mother and women around the world so they can feel seen, celebrated, and honored exactly as they are. Every line, every story, every season of life deserves visibility. I cannot wait to photograph my mother again this fall for the project. To every mother, grandmother, auntie, mentor, and woman who has nurtured others with love. Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for all the lines you have earned along the way. . Thank you @bhphoto for providing Fuji Instax film for my travelling portraits series. #MothersDay #IHaveEarnedEveryLine #KambuaChemaPhotography #WomenOver50 #StorytellingPortraits

More headshots with @kambuaphoto @infocusheadshots #headshots #portrait #photoshoot #soprano #chicago

Creatively Dreaming . . As photographers, we have to always keep reinventing ourselves and dreaming about the creative possibilities is a wonderful start!!!! I love having photo play dates! . What I have learned by having the play dates, when I have clients in my studio - I have many ideas of helping them feel fully seen in front of my lens…. . Book your portrait session and let’s create together…. . . . Thank you @julivalencia.photography for helping me bring this vision to reality! . . . #ihaveearnedeveryline #remembertodream #booknow

There is a specific strength that evolves from feeling seen, especially during the seasons of life that feel more transitional and challenging. The shift into menopause can often feel dimming. Yesterday @kambuaphoto and me with the hairlabchicago hairlabchicago brought to life some powerful women stories. #chicagophotography #chicagoevents #hairlosschicago #menopausejourney

Had so much fun hanging with Kambua Chema. She's an awesome photographer and a good friend. Gorgeous too. #stunningheadshots #chicagoheadshotphotographers #chicagoheadshotphotographer #chicagoheadshots #chicagoheadshot #headshotsessionchicago #headshotschicago #headshotchicago #headshotphotographychicago #professionaheadshots #professionalheadshotphotographer #chicagoheadshotphotography