Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Paul Agango Kidero @kidero_ag

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

My name is Paul Kidero, and I am based in Nairobi, Kenya. I have been a photographer for the last two and a half years, and I am currently working on a campaign for a Nairobi based leather and canvas bag company called Sandstorm.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

I think of myself as someone who likes trying new things and seeing where they lead me, and this has helped me discover I really like flying, you know, being on a plane and seeing the world spread out below (I am a pilot in another life!) and fast cars (which 20 something year old doesnt?).
But as far as my photographic journey is concerned, I like photographing people, and portraying their emotions in a frame. I always say that a well framed and lit portrait is really a window to someone’s soul, and I am happy I have met so many people because of this. Thats why my instagram is full of portraits.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

Thats an interesting one. I initially wanted to have a really complicated username, like shootmaster254 or something, then I realised as time went by, that being simple really went a long way in connecting with your following. So I tried my surname only, and since that was already taken( by someone I have never met, funny enough) I settled for my surname followed by the first two initials of my middle name, kidero_ag.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

Vsco and lightroom. Those are my definite go to editing applications. I shoot mostly RAW, but depending on the situation, JPEGS work fine as well. Usually I start with lightroom to corect any tonal or highlight issues I might have messed up in camera, then export the photos to my phone to make the final adjustments on Vsco. I recently acquired vsco presets for lightroom, so this has made my work somewhat easier.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

Oh wow this is a tough one. I have so many favorite Instagrams! But I would say that the work of @jaydabliu because of his amaaaazing portraits, @alexstrohl because of his take on his incredible travels and @lee_jeffries because of ho gritty and raw and thought invoking his portraits happen to be. But there’s a ton of great work out there, that for sure!

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

They have got to start being more engaging! I know at some point, if youve got lots of followers is hard to keep track, but its amazing when someone with 500k followers takes notice of your work.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

It has to be how many people I can reach using my work, and also being able to show them what I know and how I get my results. I try to be as open and friendly as possible, and watching someone learn and apply what I tell them is pretty awesome.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

Before even shooting the campaign, looking for a photographer with the sort of work you would like your brand to be associated with. After identifying this photographer, tell them everything about your brand, like the mission statements, goals and what not, that will help the photographer visualize what he/she will be able to create for you.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

Quality and originality are part of the main reasons a brand would pick a photographer over the other. Its how your voice gets recognized and stands out among many. Because you are offering what no one else can, and at that point, you have absolutely hit the nail on the head. Im not there yet, bbut the fact I am aspiring towards it makes me know that I am doing something right.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

Because different brands have different needs, wants and deliverables, it is always interesting to learn what these are and to ensure that my work is in line with their goals, and will help the achieve, if not surpass them.

Topics:

• Cars & Motorcycles
• Design
• Fashion
• Film, Music & Books
• Food & Drink
• Photography
• Technology
• Travel

Country:

Kenya