Anwar Sadat Swaka is a Documentary Photographrer, Ethical Visual Storytelling Consultant and an Advocate dedicated to reshaping how stories are told in international development, humanitarian action, non-profit and NGO communications. With a focus on ethical, participatory and human-centered storytelling, He collaborates with local communities, international media, news agencies and organizations to contribute dignified narratives that elevate the voices and rights of the communities they serve. Using photography as a tool for social research, He explore visibility . How we are seen and unseen. His work is grounded in the belief that dignity and human development depend on access to economic, social and cultural rights including but not limited to education, healthcare, work and the freedom to participate in culture.
Growing up and living in the informal settlements of Kibera, Nairobi, a place often overshadowed by stereotypes profoundly influenced his perspective and perception for storytelling. He immerses himself in intimate and unique perspectives. Anwar believes that authentic, collaborative storytelling has the power to influence global development policy, strengthen advocacy campaigns, drive community transformation and inspire lasting change.
Although largely self-taught, Anwar enhanced his skills through training at The VII Academy under the Foundry Foundation and Reuters Digital Journalism programs which equipped him with expertise in visual storytelling, photojournalism, and immersive reporting, fostering his ability to document life with a profound sensitivity to people’s realities.
Anwar’s has been notably recognized in, including awards from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for winning the Zero Maternal Mortality Health Photo Award, the Global Health 50/50 Representation Matters Awards, and the United Nations Aligned Photo Awards. His photography has been exhibited and showcased by The Guardian, Global Health 50/50, University College London (UCL) . He work has been featured by The Lancet, HelpAge International and other publications. Now working on“Unpack the Personal and Make it Universal”
Back Story
Driven by a deep desire to fully invest in the stories I document, I created www.sadat-photo-stories.com, a space that functions both as and an archieve a portfolio that reflects a deep commitment to human-centered storytelling, documenting life,space, identity, community and connections.
The Locals began the day I realized that , a place I called home—and many other overlooked communities had more storytellers than anyone ever imagined. They were not photographers or writers in a formal sense. These were the people who shaped the truth of a place long before a camera or a global media outlet ever arrived. For years, as I documented Kibera, one question kept returning to me: Who gets to tell the story of a community? And who benefits from those stories? Communities were being documented, studied and showcased, but rarely involved and almost never positioned as co-authors of their own narratives. It started small—just field notes, photographs, conversations and a deep belief that storytelling should be participatory. Over time, the idea grew into The Locals a social research initiative that exists to reclaim narrative power, document lived experiences and produce community rooted knowledge through photography, writing, research and dialogue.
Guiding Priciples
Trust Through Respect and Transparency
We always approach everyone with honesty about our intentions and the importance of their perspective.
Prioritize Empathy and Patience
We understand that people may have personal fears or reservations. We love to meet people where they are, physically and emotionally by being patient, understanding their hesitations, and allowing them the time and space to open up on their terms.
Professionalism and Integrity
It’s not always a must to share our stories, We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We believe, relationships built on integrity often lead to future opportunities for connection.
Guiding Values
