Inspiring Story of Rohan Shah, Award Winning Photographer and Philanthropist

Rohan Shah has stood out as a young award-winning photographer who has gone from just capturing images to impacting lives.

At 17 years old, Rohan Shah has established himself as a wildlife photographer and a talented rugby player in the Kenya Under 18 National Rugby team.

Rohan developed an interest in photography, at the tender age of six years. Speaking to The Kenya Times, his father Neel Shah narrated how his journey in photography took off.

How Rohan’s photography journey began

“He started his photography at the age of six with a small camera that I had promised to get him if he did well in his exams. I also had a big camera myself that he started practicing with it,” stated Neel.

Rohan met his mentor, and renowned wildlife photographer, Jeffrey Wu, while on a family trip at the Masaai Mara. He drew inspiration from Jeffrey’s photography who later became his trainer.

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“In the year 2020, when we went to Maasai Mara, we parked the car next to a world-renowned photographer Jeffrey Wu.  When we came back, he told me that he would love to learn photography and he would like to learn it through Jeffrey Wu,” said Neel.

Jeffrey began training Rohan who was 14 years old at the time. Within one year, Rohan had honed his skills and began winning awards.

Philanthropy at Maasai Mara by Rohan Shah

In 2022, Rohan emerged the runner-up in the Young Travel Photographer of the Year Award. In 2023, he won the People’s Choice Award and later emerged runner up in the Nature InFocus Young Photographer Award in 2024.

In November 2024, Rohan touched the lives of less fortunate learners in Maasai Mara. He organized a charity music concert where the proceeds went into building a library and buying chairs and desks for local schools.

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He built a fully stocked library for Nterere Primary School and went on to buy beds for Margaret Kenyatta Olkuroto Primary School, and desks chairs for Ilaleta ECD school.

Rohan Shah joins Rugby national team 

Apart from photography, Rohan excels in Rugby. Just like photography, his passion for rugby began when he was still a young boy. He currently plays for the Kenya Under-18 National Rugby team.

Rohan is a grade 11 student at The International School of Kenya. He endeavors to create awareness for wildlife conservation and human-wildlife conflict. He also wishes to further his passion for rugby in the Kenyan rugby team.

Rohan credits his success in photography to his mentor Jeffrey Wu, whom he also regards as his greatest source of inspiration.

“My journey in wildlife photography and conservation continues with Jeffrey Wu, my mentor, and my biggest inspiration in this world of wildlife,” stated Rohan in a past Instagram post.

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