WāllStōries - Elliē #002
Another week, another WāllStōries, I hope you enjoyed adorning your screens with the image of our beautiful mountain.
When it comes to wildlife, the next thing I love after big cats is elephants. There’s just something incredible about these gentle giants the way they move with such calm confidence, their slow rhythmic strides across the plains, the quiet rumble that almost feels like the heartbeat of the savannah itself. Watching them roam reminds me how strength and gentleness can coexist so beautifully.
This week’s wallpaper was captured in the Masai Mara National Reserve on the very first day of quick safari I made. After a long journey from Nairobi, the open plains of the Mara felt like a deep breath of fresh air. As we drove in, the golden grass swayed gently in the afternoon wind, and not far from the road, a small herd of elephants appeared. It felt like a reward nature’s quiet way of saying, welcome back.
The matriarch led the group, her calm presence commanding respect as the younger ones trailed close behind. I stayed still, camera in hand, just soaking in the sight of these magnificent creatures moving in harmony with the land. If you’ve followed my photography for a while, you know I love shooting close-ups of animals not just for the detail, but for the perspective it gives. Getting close allows you to see their stories more intimately: the texture of their skin, the gentleness in their eyes, the quiet dignity they carry. That’s what I wanted this wallpaper to reflect not just elephants in the wild, but the feeling of meeting them up close, as if you could reach out and feel the earth tremble beneath their steps.
A Few Facts
Elephants have remarkable memories. They can recall water sources and migration routes for decades a skill passed down through generations.
They communicate through vibrations. Those deep rumbles you sometimes feel rather than hear travel through the ground for kilometers.
Each herd is a family. The matriarch leads, nurtures, and teaches. Her wisdom is the heartbeat of the group.
Their skin is sensitive. Despite its rough look, elephant skin can feel the slightest touch or a fly landing. They use mud as natural sunscreen and skincare.
Elephants are one of the few animals known to mourn their dead. They often stay near the body of a fallen companion, touching it gently with their trunks, sometimes returning days later almost as if paying their respects. It’s a rare, deeply emotional behavior that reveals how intelligent and compassionate they truly are.
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Creative Tip of the Week
When photographing animals, really observe before you shoot. Spend a few minutes watching how they move, where the light falls, and what moment tells the truest story. Patience often rewards you with authenticity.
May this week’s wallpaper remind you to move through life like these gentle giants — strong but kind, bold yet peaceful.
See you next week for another story on your wall.
Tag your setup on Instagram and use #WallStories, I’d love to see how it looks on your screens.
WāllStōries - Mūrima #001
Every wall has a story and now, so will your screen. I am starting a new segment on the blog called WāllStōries, I believe a wallpaper is more than just a background, it’s a mood, a memory, a window into new worlds. Each week, I will share a fresh handpicked wallpaper, along with the story behind the shot, a little spark of inspiration, and a tip to help you see life through a more creative lens.
Think of it as a small weekly gift for your screen and your soul, something to brighten your workdays, refresh your devices, and maybe even spark your next adventure.
So, whether you’re opening your laptop for work, unlocking your phone on the go, or just taking a moment to pause, WāllStōries will be here to bring beauty, warmth, and creativity right to your fingertips.
To kick it off, I wanna start with our beautiful mountain, Mt. Kenya (Africa's second highest mountain) aka Murima bathed in the first soft light of dawn.. I was in Nanyuki on an assignment and looking at the weather, I definitely had no hopes of capturing this mountain. Its craggy peaks pierced the sky, and the air felt alive with quiet reverence. This mountain has long been sacred: a throne for God in Kikuyu lore and a symbol of strength to communities nearby.
Mount Kenya is Africa’s second-highest mountain, soaring to 5,199 meters with its iconic twin peaks Batian and Nelion. For most adventurers, the highlight is reaching Point Lenana (4,985 m), a summit that rewards with breathtaking sunrise views. Once a towering volcano over 6,500 m, glaciers have carved it into the striking landscape we see today. Mount Kenya is a journey through changing worlds majestic, wild, and unforgettable.
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Mobile:
Creative Tip of the Week
When you shoot landscapes, try capturing early morning light after a chilly night. The air is clear, contrast is crisp, and frost altered patterns (like those on alpine slopes) can add a layer of subtle texture and story to your images.
May this Mount Kenya wallpaper bring a moment of stillness, wonder, and elevation to your daily scroll.
The Lens, The Brush, and the Algorithm
In a world where machines are learning to paint, write, and even photograph, is there still room for human creativity? In this thought provoking blog, I explore the intersection of photography, imagination, and artificial intelligence sharing how I used AI to reimagine Nairobi through anime eyes. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, I’ve begun to see it as a collaborative partner a tool that frees us to dream bigger, create deeper, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Welcome to the new era of co-creation.
There was a time not to long ago when creativity was considered untouchable too human, too spontaneous, too emotionally rich to ever be replicated by a machine. Creativity was our masterpiece, a uniquely human spark in the dark, lighting up everything from poetry to painting, from music to photography.
But here we are.
Artificial Intelligence, particularly generative AI, is no longer science fiction. It's in our apps, in our workflows, and dare I say it in our art. It’s reshaping what it means to create. And for those of us in visual storytelling photographers, designers, filmmakers there’s a question that now lurks in every conversation: Is AI a threat to creative roles, or a tool that unlocks even more imaginative possibilities? Spoiler Alert: I lean toward the latter.
Growing up, I was obsessed with anime. I’d watch in awe, imagining if I could ever bring Nairobi to life in that soft, pastel-colored, whimsical style. But there was one small problem—I lacked the patience to draw it.
Fast forward to today: I revisited some of my street photography from Nairobi and ran them through an AI tool that transforms photos into anime-style art. What came out was... magic. It wasn’t just a filter. It was a reimagination. AI helped me do something I had long dreamed of, without replacing me. The soul was still mine. The vision, still mine. But the execution? That was a collaboration—with a machine.
Here’s the thing: AI isn’t here to steal our jobs. It’s here to do the boring stuff. It drafts, it suggests, it automates. It gives us back the time to be human again to focus on storytelling, emotion, mood, originality.
Think of AI as your behind-the-scenes editor, your brainstorming buddy, or your post-processing assistant that never sleeps. It’s not the artist, but the brush. And when used wisely, it can help you paint more vividly than ever before.
What this means for us (yes, you too) is that the creative future isn’t man vs machine. It’s man with machine, but that means you have to adapt:
Use AI. Play, experiment, create. You can’t master what you don’t use.
Learn prompt engineering. Talking to AI effectively is the new Photoshop skill. The better you prompt, the better the result.
Structure your ideas. Codify your creativity. The value of knowledge isn’t just in having it but in organizing and sharing it across platforms, teams, even generations.
Expect disruption. AI might just be the printing press of our age, and like in 1439, revolutions don’t come quietly.
So, the question is, will You Still Be You? Absolutely, but you’ll be you with superpowers a creative who leverages tools, understands the shift, and rides the wave rather than resisting the tide. Photography is about capturing the world through your lens. AI doesn’t take away the eye. It enhances the vision. So go ahead dream bigger, shoot bolder, and imagine your work not just as a product of today, but a glimpse into the creative future we’re all helping to shape.
What are your thoughts? Is AI the End or a New Beginning for Creatives?
A Rainy Season Revelation
Just 10 minutes into our game drive and boom—thud thud thud—a flat tire in the middle of the wild! Cue the “should we get out and risk being a lion’s snack or wait for a miracle” debate. After some ranger calls, and side-eyeing every rustle in the bushes, we fixed it and made it back to camp in one piece. Safari drama: 1. Us: 0.
Amboseli—land of giants, where elephants roam with Mount Kilimanjaro towering in the background, this has always been one of my favourite places to visit as a photographer. I envisioned golden light, herds of elephants marching in dust clouds, and that iconic shot of a tusker with snow-capped peaks behind him. But nature had other plans. The rains had arrived early. The landscape, lush and glistening, was beautiful—but eerily quiet. The elephants? Nowhere in sight.
It had been quite a while since my friends and I were out camping, so this was a trip for us to remind ourselves of the good ol’ camping days and what to do and carry. The trip started off well, but late, and we were arriving at the park gate around 16:40 and clouds were beginning to gather. We quickly proceeded to make payments and checkout the campsite before heading out for a game drive.
Just as we were kicking off our game drive, eager to catch a glimpse of the wild, we heard this suspicious thud-thud-thud from outside the vehicle. We slowed down, only to discover the classic safari curveball—a puncture.
Now picture this: we're in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by who-knows-what, debating our next move. Do we channel our inner heroes, step out, and risk becoming a lion’s appetizer or an elephant’s accidental speed bump?
After some calls to the rangers (and a few nervous glances at the bushes), we got the all-clear. Tools out, tyre changed—while constantly looking over our shoulders like we were in a horror movie. Eventually, with adrenaline still pumping, we headed back to camp and decided we’d earned ourselves a solid dinner.
Camp was setup, and it was dinner and vibes into the night as we planned to redeem our time lost the following morning.
Sunrise at camp
The next morning, after breakfast, we embarked on our game drive. We were fortunate enough to witness breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro throughout the day, while only encountering a few elephants.
One of the only elephants we saw on this trip.
As you can see, we had a great time with Mount Kilimanjaro. Afterward, we headed to camp for the evening as the sun began to set. The next morning, we woke up early and prepared for our second morning game drive before checking out. However, as we were about to leave, we discovered a second puncture. We couldn’t help but laugh and decided to cancel our game plans. We asked KWS for a rescue service to help us fix our tires. While the camp rangers came to fix our two damaged tires, we had a relaxed morning. We enjoyed breakfast, watched the sunrise over Kilimanjaro, and finally set up camp.
All in all, this was a fantastic trip. We may have missed out on seeing elephants, but we certainly got a great treat from Mount Kilimajaro. Now, it’s time to plan our next adventure. Thank you for indulging me in this. Please don’t forget to comment below and show some love.
See you in the next blog!
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