At 20 years old, an LBCC student and recent Kenyan migrant is entering the new year with one clear goal: to become a photographer and open up a photography studio.
Jamal Macharia moved to Long Beach at the age of 19 with his father to find opportunity and direction.
Photography became an inspiring hobby and side hustle for him, encouraged by his father and something he did for his friends.
“About two or three months ago my dad gave me his old camera and it was like going outside and taking pictures or something and ever since then I fell in love with photography. I’ve always been an artsy person and I’ve always loved money and I feel that those two things blend together well in photography,” Macharia said.
Macharia expressed his newly found passion for photography.
“I like photography because I feel like it’s a simple way for me to express my creativity, and it doesn’t feel like it takes too much out of me, like I used to draw a lot but it takes hours… I feel like photography keeps things simple for me. It’s enjoyable too,” Macharia said.
After a split between his family, Macharia often bounces between Canada and Long Beach to see his mother.
“So around the time I moved, my mom also moved to Toronto because they have free health care and a better education system. I have three brothers … So she was just like this is a sensible move to make,” Macharia said.
He said the move to North America made practical sense for his future.
“It’s much easier here to make money. In Kenya, the average wage is $150 per month if even. … How am I supposed to survive? But out here you can make that in a day. Not only that the schools out here are much better so it was an obvious move,” Macharia said.
When it came to deciding on a school, being a former Cal State Fullerton student, the switch to LBCC was an easy decision to make for Macharia due to location and diversity.
LBCC student and Kenyan migrant Jamal Macharia poses for photo along with his camera on Dec. 4. (Chloe Hall)
“I chose LBCC because it’s very close to where I live, I heard good things about it as a school and it’s diverse which means a lot to me being from Kenya… there weren’t as many Black people in my last school and it lowkey threw me off having just come from Kenya at the time,” Macharia said.
LBCC student Alaiyhia Doxey reminisced on first meeting Macharia two months ago.
“I’ve known Jamal through one of my friends and I knew some people that knew him. … He’s really cool and then I found out he does photography as a little side gig and thought it was cool. My friends were like ‘Oh you take pictures, I need some photos man,’ and he can take our pictures. We hang out outside of school and at school,” Doxey said.
LBCC student and model Charlyse Gilmore praised his personality during a photoshoot with Macharia.
“He’s funny and professional and makes you feel comfortable while he’s working with you,” said Gilmore.
Macharia can be found around campus with his camera taking photos of students, practicing headshots and portraits.
Macharia continues to shoot consistently and slowly build his portfolio, hoping that this next year he brings his goals into focus.
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