Oral East Africa>Photographing Security Guards At the hut of the story

Whenever I had an encounter with Security guards, I always felt some type of way. You know, the negative vibes.

I had developed a single story about who watchmen, alias security guards were. I believed they were watiaji.

I think it is because of the experience I had way back in high school, where our gateman made it a case to prove that his security credentials meant something.

We often crossed paths and the guy was petty like crazy, and with that I have tended to stereotype security guards as arrogant and indifferent until I had a photoshoot session with some of them who happened to be working at MURBS building that houses our studio.

Before this day, they had formed part of this common identity of black and navy blue uniforms that acknowledged morning greetings whenever I walked in into the office, situated on the ground Floor of the famous Signature Level 4 club. Normally I would just say hi to these people.

“Niaje Boss”, “Poa Boss” nothing more.

But as we set up the studio they became the resident porters helping us haul gypsum boards, plants, and other construction material.

So we decided the best way to show our appreciation was to invite them for a free shoot as soon as we set up our first lights and backgrounds, which for me was quite an experience. We did not want to offer a service that is out of reach by the very people who helped us set up.

It offered me the opportunity to interact with security guards as individuals without their uniforms. I do not know if it is just the job that makes them bitter or maybe act in a certain manner once garbed in the uniforms, cause yo, these people were all jovial and were having fun. Smiles every minute and cool vibes.

*Mr. Ogoti, our dedicated office cleaner*

They were fun loving individuals who in another life had separate interesting identities. They gave out cool poses leaving us cracking with laughter and by the look of things they really enjoyed the shoot.