Photographer gets dream job as hobby comes through for him
- Dan Mwau fell in love with bus photography in childhood, and the industry has come to embrace him
- After photographing buses as a hobby for many years, Dreamline Express read his story and recently offered him a job
- Now he is deeper into the industry, closer to the stakeholders, and earning a living from what started as a passion
Dan Mwau’s is an inspiring tale of what happens when passion meets opportunity, thanks to a hobby he nurtured since childhood.
Mwau’s passion for bus photography started in his childhood, now he works for a transport company. Photos: Dan Mwau.Source: UGC
This is after the young student who found solace and joy in photographing buses turned his unique hobby into a career.
Didn’t see it coming
In all those years he stood on the roadside snapping away at buses, it never occurred to him that his dedication to this niche passion would open new horizons for him.
After his story was aired in October 2022, his dedication and passion for bus photography caught the eye of someone at Dreamline Bus Company.
He told Fox Nigeria that, time to time, Dreamline Express offers jobs to foot soldiers, which is how one of the drivers named, Harrison Gathii, forwarded the post to one of the bosses.
“Seeing how enthusiastic I was about the industry, I was immediately employed as a booking clerk at their Mlolongo office,” he said.
How Mwau became darling of the industry?
The job has not only plunged him deeper into the industry, but also gotten him even closer to operators, travellers, and stakeholders.
He has become darling to the industry, so much that some of the drivers call him while approaching the office so that he can post their buses.
Given his deep knowledge about the buses, he is able to advise passengers on the best bus to choose depending on their preferences.
Mwau disclosed that working office hours had not killed his passion for bus photography, as he still takes photos during his off days and in the evenings after work.
“The company doesn’t mind me taking pictures of other buses as long as I don’t show any special interest towards a competitor company,” he said.
The power of pursuing passions
Mwau, a name that has become synonymous with bus photography enthusiasts, embarked on his journey of capturing different buses since childhood.
In an earlier interview with TUKO.co.ke, he revealed that his hobby began as a simple way to unwind and embrace his love for public transportation.
Even before his teenage years, Mwau knew all the buses, number plates, and time of arrival, a passion that was fuelled by his father, who was a teacher but loved photography and owned a camera.
With time, drivers started noticing him and they would hoot once they spotted him, while others stopped the buses to buy him ‘airtime’.
He has spent thousands of hours following buses and amassed an impressive collection of over 10,000 photographs.
“I had earlier stated that I didn’t want to work in a bus but I’ve realised it’s actually much more fun. Bus life is my lifestyle forever,” he concluded.
Mwau’s story is a testament to the power in pursuing one’s passions, regardless of how unconventional they may seem to others out there.
Source: TUKO.co.ke