At just 17 years old, Rohan Shah, a young Kenyan photographer, has already received three major international photography awards for his breathtaking wildlife photography.
An 11th-grade student at the International School of Kenya, Rohan has traveled to over eight national parks and game reserves, both locally and internationally, in pursuit of his passion.
Beyond photography, Rohan is also a talented athlete, playing for Kenya’s Under-18 rugby team. In an exclusive interview with Kenyans.co.ke, he shared details about his latest international award, which he won on Wednesday last week.
”In total so far I have three international photography awards, I won a runner-up in the 14 and under category in the travel photography of the year 2022, the People Choice Award of travel photography(2023), and the most recent one won on Wednesday was runner-up in the young photographer category of the nature 2024,” Rohan stated.
Rohan Shah(right) and a fellow photographer takes part in game photography during a past game tour.
Photo
Neel Shah
Rohan’s achievements led him to take part in a charity music concert where he and others raised funds to build a full library for a primary school in Maasai Mara.
He collaborated with notable figures and organisations, including the Maa Trust, the Mushrooms, Ghetto Classics, and Andrew Ngatia, a former Sauti Sol band member and his school music teacher, to make the initiative a success.
”It was a charity music concert and we collected funds to help build a library in a primary school in Maasai Mara and we also donated furniture to the school,” Rohan disclosed.
Rohan revealed that he draws inspiration from renowned wildlife photography experts, particularly his mentor, Jeffrey Wu, a world-renowned photographer. He added that their influence has helped him use his photography as a platform to advocate for conservation.
Additionally, he stated that he wants to use his photography skills to inspire the younger generation.
”I am a Kenyan so having wildlife at my doorstep has made me see an ever-changing need for conservation and I wanted to showcase this through my wildlife photography being a hobby, I wanted to take it a notch higher through conservation pursuits,” Rohan said.
Asked how he manages the school-work balance, the visual storyteller revealed that it takes personal discipline to train one’s self on how to first prioritize school.
Furthermore, he offered advice to Kenyan youth his age, encouraging them to stay focused on their pursuits as they strive to achieve similar milestones.
”School is a priority of course but when I get time, I go into the field and take photos, same as when am home where I need time to go through my photos. So you have to balance everything by making sure you have your schoolwork done first and then have your hobbies fall into place,” he added.
”Follow your dreams and never give up on what you are doing. Success is not registered overnight, it takes a lot of progress. You will make mistakes but in the end, you will see some results, you have to keep on going because one day things will change for the better.”
Rohan credited his success to his parents—father Neel Shah, mother Bhavisha Shah—and his younger brother Raheel Shah, who have been his biggest supporters throughout his photography journey.
According to the young photographer, his ultimate dream and vision center around conservation while continuing his passion for photography. Additionally, he hopes to pursue a career in engineering or even sports.
He also called on the government to provide more support for young talents, especially those yet to be recognized, and to invest in conservation efforts, particularly in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, to safeguard Kenya’s rich tourism heritage. Rohan expressed his willingness to collaborate with the government, especially through the Magical Kenya brand, to elevate the country’s global image.
His mother, Bhavisha Shah, emphasized their family’s commitment to supporting other Kenyan children with similar dreams, ensuring they have the opportunity to pursue their passions.
“As a family, we are close. Rohan is a very balanced individual, and we always make time for family. It’s a proud moment when our children can follow their dreams,” she stated.
Neel Shah, Rohan’s father, recalled one of the most defining moments in his son’s photography journey—capturing a breathtaking shot from a helicopter. He described the experience as both challenging and exhilarating, as Rohan lacked specialized equipment to freeze the moment perfectly. However, his skill and determination saw him capture a stunning image that earned him a nomination for a prestigious award, which he later won.
Rohan Shah posing for a picture during a past game drive.
Photo
Neel Shah