NAIROBI FASHION WEEK 2026

By Eva Fydrych

Backstage Diaries

by Daniel Kempf-Seifried

Maisha (©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week)

Capturing the Soul of Nairobi Fashion Week 2026

A model’s focused expression while having a final fitting, the precise drape of fabric under careful hands, the quiet concentration before the runway storm—these are the moments that define fashion’s true heartbeat.

On January 29th, the second day of Nairobi Fashion Week 2026 (Season 8), acclaimed documentary and portrait photographer Daniel Kempf-Seifried turned his expert lens away from the spotlight. Based between East Africa and Europe, Daniel immersed himself in the kinetic energy of Fitting Day, crafting a high-quality photo essay that captures the authentic spirit and meticulous detail of Kenyan fashion.

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

The Photographer’s Eye: Quality Over Quantity

Daniel Kempf-Seifried’s work transcends mere documentation. His backstage series from Nairobi Fashion Week is a masterclass in visual storytelling, prioritizing perfect framing, composition, and lighting to reveal the narrative behind the collections.

Working in a fast-paced, often chaotic backstage environment demands more than technical skill; it requires an intuitive understanding of how to capture fleeting expressions, direct models naturally, and photograph garments to highlight their unique construction and flow. Kempf-Seifried’s photographs do not just show clothes; they showcase the artistry, anticipation, and human effort that make a fashion week truly compelling.

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

"I see myself as a Storyteller through photography." - Daniel Kempf-Seifried 

8 Essential Tips for Professional, Editor-Selected Event Coverage

For photographers aspiring to have their work featured in fashion publications, capturing an event like Nairobi Fashion Week requires a strategic blend of artistry and professionalism. Here are eight essential tips to ensure your coverage stands out to fashion editors.

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

1. Master the "Fitting Day" Narrative

Editors seek a complete story. Don’t just shoot the runway. Arrive early for fittings, rehearsals, and backstage preparation. Capturing the transformation—from a bare face and hanging garments to the finished look—adds depth and exclusivity to your portfolio, much like Kempf-Seifried’s approach. These candid, behind-the-scenes moments often tell a more powerful story than the show itself.

2. Prioritize Lighting, Always

Fast-paced environments are no excuse for poor light. Learn to work with—and supplement—available light. Carry a small, discreet off-camera flash or reflector to fill shadows, highlight textile details, and create dimension. Consistently well-lit photos signal technical proficiency, a non-negotiable for any serious publication.

Maisha (©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week)

Maisha (©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week)

Maisha (©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week)

3. Hunt for Details and Craftsmanship

Zoom in on the elements that define a collection: intricate beading, unique fabric textures, innovative stitching, and the precise drape of a garment. Photograph accessories, shoes, and beauty looks as standalone art. Detail shots are invaluable to editors for close-up features and provide critical evidence of design quality.

4. Capture Authentic Expression & Movement

Static poses can be lifeless. Aim to photograph models in motion—adjusting a garment, laughing with a stylist, or walking during rehearsal. Authentic smiles, looks of concentration, and fleeting interactions convey emotion and energy, making your images dynamic and engaging.

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

5. Build a Cohesive Visual Story

Your final edit should not be a random assortment of good shots. Curate a sequence that has a beginning, middle, and end: preparation, anticipation, the show, and reaction. A consistent style in color grading and cropping creates a professional, signature look that editors will remember.

6. Understand Model Direction and Etiquette

Backstage is a professional workspace. Always ask permission before directing a model or stylist, be clear and respectful with your instructions, and never disrupt the workflow. Building a reputation for being collaborative and unobtrusive is key to gaining access to coveted moments.

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

7. Perfect Your Technical Delivery

Editors need high-resolution, properly formatted files. Shoot in RAW to allow for flexible editing. Ensure your final selections are impeccably retouched—removing distractions, color-correcting for accuracy, and cropping for impact—before submission.

8. Craft a Compelling Pitch

When submitting, your images need context. Write a concise, compelling email that highlights your unique angle (e.g., “A detail-focused backstage diary of NFW 2026”). Include a brief, powerful caption for each key image, naming designers, models, or specific collections where possible.

By following these steps, you move from being an event attendee with a camera to a visual storyteller with a point of view—the kind of photographer whose work catches and keeps a fashion editor’s eye.

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

Maisha (©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week)

A Commentary by Eva Fydrych, Founder & Art Director of Fashion Studio Magazine

In my years at the helm of this publication, I’ve seen a common misstep derail countless promising talents: the rush to master the tool before understanding the subject. The aspiring fashion photographer often believes that the path to brilliance is paved with the latest, most expensive camera and a complex lighting rig. This is an illusion. True craft is built upon a foundation of deep understanding and sharpened vision.

My advice distills to two non-negotiable pillars.


First, Train Your Eye: Understand Fashion to Capture It

You are not merely a photographer; you are a visual translator of culture, design, and narrative. Your camera is secondary to your cultivated perception.

Study the Architects of Vision: Immerse yourself in the history and present of the craft. Analyze the revolutionary work of Baron Adolf De Meyer, the first official fashion photographer for Vogue, or the provocative, boundary-pushing imagery of Helmut Newton. Examine how contemporary giants like Tim Walker create entire fantastical worlds and how photographers like Tyler Mitchell and Campbell Addy are redefining representation and narrative. This isn't about imitation; it's about understanding the language of fashion imagery.

Live and Breathe the Culture: A great fashion photographer is a student of the entire ecosystem.

• Watch Haute Couture Shows: These are not mere displays of clothing; they are the pinnacle of creative expression and theatrical art. Observe the work of designers like John Galliano for Maison Margiela or Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli to see how narrative, craft, and audacity converge.

• Attend Fashion Exhibitions: Engage with fashion as curated history and critical dialogue. Participate in conversations, like those examining representation in fashion imagery, to develop a critical and informed perspective.

• Watch Fashion Documentaries: Learn the stories behind the icons. Documentaries like The Eye Has to Travel (on editor Diana Vreeland) or The Man Who Shot Beautiful Women (on Erwin Blumenfeld) provide invaluable insight into the creative minds that shape this industry.

• Work Closely with Designers: This is where theory meets practice. Understanding a designer's inspiration, the drape of a fabric, and the story behind a collection transforms you from an outsider to a collaborative storyteller.

The power of this principle is embodied in the work of photographers like Daniel Kempf-Seifried. Born in 1978 in Sigmaringen, Germany, he is a freelance visual storyteller who approaches photography not merely as image-making, but as layered narrative work. Since 2020, based between East Africa and Europe, he bridges cultural worlds through his lens. Blending documentary authenticity with editorial refinement, his fashion photography weaves storytelling, intimate portraits, and real-life observation into cohesive visual tales. Whether capturing the raw energy of Nairobi Fashion Week, or the cultural resurgence in his „Echo of the Calabash“ project exploring African identity, his work leaves intentional space for viewers to engage, question and connect with the unspoken layers beneath the surface. As he says, "I try to build deeper narratives into my work, turning frames into layered stories about identity, culture and emotions." His work stands as a testament to what is possible when a photographer trains their eye to understand and interpret culture, not just capture it.

Maisha (©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week)

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

Second, Master the Craft, Not Just the Gear

An exquisite camera in untrained hands produces mediocre work. A master with a simple tool can create magic.

Learn Technical Skills First: Proficiency in composition, lighting, and directing is universal currency. As noted by professionals, confident direction of your model and team is paramount to a successful shoot. Understand how a single light source can sculpt a face and how to pose a model to best express a garment's intent. Begin with simple setups—a window and a reflector can be a powerful studio. These fundamentals are far more critical than the brand name on your equipment.

Then Move to the Next Level: Once you have command of the essential skills, you can strategically invest in technology to expand your creative palette, not define it. Advanced gear should serve your vision, not substitute for a lack of one.

In essence, the journey is from the inside out. Develop a discerning eye, a rich cultural literacy, and a flawless command of photography's fundamentals. Let these be the signatures of your work. The rest—the clients, the campaigns, the recognition—will follow the gravity of your genuine understanding.

Eva Fydrych is the Founder & Art Director of Fashion Studio Magazine, where she has spent her career at the intersection of high fashion, critical commentary, and visual storytelling.

©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

Maisha ©Daniel Kempf-Seifried | Nairobi Fashion Week

Nairobi Fashion Week 2026, Season 8, took place from January 28-31. To explore more about this premier event and the vibrant Kenyan fashion scene, you can visit their official Instagram account: @nairobi.fashion.week

Read more: Experiencing the Chic Side of Nairobi

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