Minicheps: Story of Visual Artist Behind Viral Creative Photos

Collage of some of the photographs created by Visual artist Catherine Jepkemboi alias Minicheps
Collage of some of the photographs created by Visual artist Catherine Jepkemboi alias Minicheps
Courtesy Minicheps

Visual artist, Catherine Jepkemboi alias Minicheps, has revealed how her creativity pulled her out of poverty and elevated her to the family breadwinner's status.

In an interview with NTV on Saturday, June 11, Minicheps stated that her job has enabled her to take her son to school and put food on the table.

The 25-year-old mother of two stated that she never imagined her passion for photography would make her an internet sensation.

Minicheps revealed that she had to borrow a camera when starting off. She and her partner had borrowed the camera from a relative and after a while, the person wanted the camera back leaving them with no tools of trade.

Collage of some of the photographs created by Visual artist Catherine Jepkemboi alias Minicheps
Collage of some of the photographs created by Visual artist Catherine Jepkemboi alias Minicheps
Courtesy Minicheps

"My partner and I would use a borrowed camera, but with time, we saved up and bought our own. That is when I began to take the work I do seriously,” she noted.

She stated that she had to raise funds to buy her own equipment and this was also a challenge at the time since she did not have sponsors or business partners on who she could rely.

Minicheps stated that her family was very supportive even before she started trending and her photographs went viral on various social media platforms.

For two years, her work remained unnoticed but her big breakthrough came on the 2021 Valentines' Day when a visual she had created went viral. She recalled receiving a call from a friend who told her that she was trending on social media.

“I was asleep on Monday morning when a friend called me and asked how I could still be in bed when I was trending on social media,” Minicheps stated.

At the moment, Minicheps works with a team of two and they bounce ideas off each other before they can create the visuals which have become notable on social media.

The visual artist is also making money from her working with notable brands in the country contracting her to showcase their products.

Online impersonators have also become a major issue for Minicheps and her team. She noted that they pose as her while imitating her work.

Collage of some of the photographs created by Visual artist Catherine Jepkemboi alias Minicheps
Collage of some of the photographs created by Visual artist Catherine Jepkemboi alias Minicheps
Courtesy Minicheps

"There is someone who is doing similar work but the problem is they are using my name and even duping people which is a big challenge," she stated.

She added that she was not ready to reveal the secret software she uses since that is what makes her attractive in the market.