Top 15 Best and Most Popular Photographers in Africa

In today’s article, we will be discussing the top 15 Best and Most Popular Photographers in Africa. Africa is known to be the world’s second-largest continent that follows Asia.With a population of about 1,393,676,444 and a population density of 46.1 km2. with the population we have we will discuss the persons that are rated the top 15 best in photography.

This must be persons who are active and conscious in what they do. People who have photography as their passion and bring the best in what they do.

Photography is the art of making pictures through the means of directing a camera toward an image. It is not just about taking pictures but being able to take précised and quality pictures.

We have a whole number of people taking pictures from different companies and from different dimensions but a few are regarded as the best.

That is why most people are seen going to schools, companies and etc. to learn photography.

Top 15 Photographers in Africa

The list of the top photographers we have in the world as are as follows:

Malick Sidibe
Seydou Keita
Zanele Mohali
Pieter Hugo
Mario Mailau
Lakin Ogunbanwo
TY Bello
Obi somto
Adeola Olagun
Kelechi amadu
Omar Victor Diop
ISak Pretorius
Nick Brandt
Fatima Fahmy
Eric Gyamfi

Malick Sidibe

A popular photographer that was known for his black-and-white painting. He was born in 1935 in Mali and died on 14^th April. He lived for about 80 years.

Schooled at institute national des Arts de Bamak. Has received several awards from 2003 to 2010. He has several collections ranging from the art institute of Chicago to the Museum of fine arts, Houston.

Several exhibitions from 1995 to 2017. Other group exhibitions from 1995 to 2020. Also, he has made several film and television appearances n 2006, 2008, and 2013 respectively.

Zanele Mohali

A South African national who was born on the 19^th of July 1972. She studied at the Market photo workshop at Ryerson University.

She is popularly known for photography and has received several awards in visual awards and etc. Her photography is a typical representation of African Americans.

She is a co-founder of the Forum for the Empowerment of Women. So far she has published a number of books which include only half the picture, faces and Phase, African women photographers, faces +phase, and hail the dark lioness.

She has also featured and hosted several exhibitions from 2004 to 2023. Also did a group exhibition from 2011 to 2020.

Pieter Hugo

A South African photographer who is known for making portraiture. He was born on 29^th October 1976. So he has published four different monographs.

His work is categorized among the self-taught approach to photography. married film editor Tamsyn Reynolds and had two children.

Pieter has several publications ranging from looking aside, the hyena and other men munch, to LA Cucaracha Barcelona.

Partaking in several solo exhibitions from 2004 to 2019 and other group exhibitions from 2010 to 2020.

Mario Macilau

journey as a photographer from 2003. He had it to his professional level and used his mother’s cell phone soled to get his first camera.

His specialty was on long-term projects. His work features in both national and international exhibitions, group exhibitions, and solo exhibitions.

Lakin Ogunbanwo

A Nigerian photographer who is known for his sulky visuals. He studied at Babcock University and Buckingham University

His photographs and works have been published in different international magazines. This includes Billboards, Vogue, GQ, New York Times, etc.

He also partners with the world-class renowned author Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie. His selected projects include Are we good enough, E Wa WO Mi(come and see me), and a project appreciating women’s Curvaceous bodies.

TY Bello

Her full name is Toyin Shokefun. Apart from being a photographer or an artist she also features in gospel music.

Born in Ogun state Nigeria and gained a degree in economics from the University of Lagos. Had journalism at the early carrier stage and the fully ventured not photography

An official photographer for a one-time president of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan, and also works for this day photography.

She also creates photography for a British rapper Tinie Tempeh. She uses most of the proceeds in her photography for humanitarian work.

Also, he has received different awards ranging from best female video producer to best new act of the Year.

Obi Somto

Born in August 1988. He is said to be a force behind a camera lens. A photographer with a strong passion and desire to draw and paint.

In 2010 he launched his professional carrier as a photographer. Has a degree in banking and finance from Babcock University.

He is among one of the most highly-paid photographers in Nigeria. Known for photography of most celebrities, and dignitaries.

Adeola Olagun

A Nigerian visual artist that is working with photography. Attended the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and the Folkwang University of Arts.

Has received several awards from the Lagos Photo Festival and etc. One of the few photographers who grew up in the early years when we had a military dictatorship.

He had made several publications only to mention a few, African under the Prism, the arts of Nigerian Women, a stranger pose the journey.

Kelechi Amadu

A Nigerian who was born on 29^th December 1969 in Owerri Imo state. The owner or founder of Kelechi Amadi-Obi Studios and he partners with Julia Amadi Obi.

Studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The publisher of the Mania magazine. He has featured in many international exhibitions

A renowned celebrity photographer that is widely recognized for helping Nigerian photography gain access to the world map

He has partaken in solos exhibitions from 1996 to 1999 and group exhibitions from 1997 to 2006.

Also, he has made several commissions and collections.

Omar Victor Diop

Born in 1980 and a national of Senegalese who is known for photography. He was born in Dakar Senegal. He studied at ESCE international business school.

His series include Liberty, hopeful blues, project diaspora, and remixing Hollywood. He has partaken in group exhibitions from 2016 to 2020 and then solo exhibitions from 2018 to 2019.

He has several collections and is represented in the art market by MAGNIN.

Isak Pretorius

A specialist in wildlife photography who hails from South Africa. Winning many or several awards for his photography

Also the co-founder of Afriscoope Holdings. The son of Peter Pretorius. He is a business communication

Has spent 20 years of his existence in humanitarian work and has gained different business experience.

Nick Brandt

An English photographer that was born in 1964 in London England. Attended Saint Martin School of Art and is married to Orla Brady.

He has been in exhibitions right from 2004 to 2019 and has written books like On this earth, a shadow falls, on this earth, a shadow fall, the ravaged land, inherit dust, this empty world, and the daybreak

Fatima Fahmy

Currently staying in Johannesburg South Africa, Fatima stays at the famed market Photoshop, she uses rage highly trafficked tram in Alexandria s her photo backdrop.

She was born in 1991 in Saudi Arabia. She s a documentary photographer who has gained several awards and has been featured in the different exhibitions. Both group exhibition and solo exhibition.

Eric Gyamfi

This African photographer was born in 1990 in Bekwai, Ghana. Currently, he lives and works in Accra, Ghana.

He has a Bachelor of Arts certificate or degree in information studies and economics from the University of Ghana.

Currently undergoing educational training at the Kwame University Science and Technology studying MFA in the Department of Painting and Sculpture.

He also features in documentary photography. He has partaken in several exhibitions and has received a few awards.

Conclusion

This article covers a list of the 15 top most recognized photographers in Africa. It gives you a background check of each photographer and their specialty of photography.

It is highly recommended for research purposes and for other educational purposes, check below;