Photography lets you find yourself and is a passport to people, places and possibilities. Random Photo Journal is fascinated by everyday culture, from how people look to their personalities, individual character traits and, in this interview, we spoke to Pascal Mrema, a street photographer based in Mombasa, Kenya about his work and how he manages to say so much with so little. His consistency in exploring the ideas of “everyday living” are the kind of images that you’d need time to take in. It is also always refreshing to see a firm believer in making a connection with the environment. Such a level of observation is rare nowadays.

Hello Pascal and welcome to Random Photo Journal! Briefly introduce yourself, What do you do and what got you started on your photography journey?

I am Pascal Mrema I am a Kenyan living in Mombasa & some spells in Nairobi. I am a sports officer by profession but have been in love with photography mainly since my University years. I was basically the designated photographer of my friends for their social media posts courtesy of my abled phone camera. It has taken me quite the time to fully embrace photography it & hopefully it becomes all I do in the near future.

What is the basis of your photography, why do you think your work is necessary?

I personally love the human element in photos and it’s combination with the environment in telling a story. I have come to see daily moments as a picture the universe paints and I feel the need to freeze such moments to share it with others through photography.

What would you like to get across with your work?

Basically, every human is actively living a life which has similarities to others and we have to have our eyes open when we step outside to fully appreciate this. 

How long have you been a photographer?

I think I truly started around September 2019… it’s been quite the year

Who are some of your photography inspirations? 

There are numerous, but if I have to pick it would be the world press and Pulitzer prize winners and nominees who have managed to be present and capture knowingly/unknowingly moments which have meant so much to the world.

What difficulties arise while taking street pictures?

One will be the fact that I mostly utilize my phone camera hence unable to get well-tuned photos. Also, the times where I feel like I’ve missed a chance on a moment as things are mostly in motion or not in sync with your vision but it’s also as it should be since it’s the streets.

In your opinion, what makes a good photograph?

It comes down to my personal instinct/feeling that a photo is communicating & you can understand it.

Do you have any upcoming photography project? 

I have plenty of ideas in mind but because of logistics, they might have to wait a while.