Meet the eight women selected for Photography Mentorship 2025
Congratulations to the eight Ethiopian Women Photographers that have been selected for the WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS MENTORSHIP, a collaboration between the Centre of Photography (Ethiopia) and Through The Lens Collective (South Africa). The eight selected participants are Kalkidan Getnet, Lidiya Zelke, Sosina Mengistu, Kumneger Demissie, Tsion Molla, Mekdes Ababu, Ribka Sisay and Helen Lemma. Thank you to all who submitted work.
The eight month photography mentorship programme designed to develop a Body of Work will be led by award winning Ethiopian artist, Maheder Haileselassie and the director of Through The Lens Collective, Michelle Loukidis. Through mentorship and ongoing critical engagement sessions, mentees will build knowledge of the narrative building process through sustained and in depth engagement with Concept, Technique, Context and Meaning, towards the finalization of a project. The project will take place via a series of regular appointments (via Zoom)where we will discuss project process and development, research and assignment feedback, as well as photographic practice and technique.
Kalkidan Getnet's journey has led her to embrace the role of a storyteller, with or without words. Using any medium that best captures the concept she wants to portray. Whether it's through words, images, motion, or something entirely new,
Kalkidan seamlessly jumps between forms to bring her vision to life. In all of her creative process, collaboration remains the cornerstone of it all, acting as a bridge to connect and explore the diverse visions and worlds of other artists alongside her own.
Ribka Sisay, born in 1996 in Dire Dawa, is a talented photographer and creative. Inspired by her older sister, a skilled studio photographer, Ribka developed a passion for capturing moments from a young age. Specializing in portraiture, weddings, commercial, documentary, street, and corporate event photography, she has established herself as a versatile artist.
Tsion Molla is a young photographer based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia primarily focused on the vibrant stories of the people centering around cultural narratives and social issues within her community.
Through her work, she aims to inspire others and foster a deeper understanding of the world.
Sosina Mengistu is a documentary and travel photographer based in Ethiopia. Her work has focused on capturing different cultures, landscapes, and everyday life.
Alongside her documentary work, she also does self-portraits to document her personal journey.
Kumneger Demsse is a visual storyteller and creative director working at the intersection of documentary and conceptual photography. She uses photography and mixed media to explore themes of gender, mental health, culture, and overlooked struggles.
Her work blends metaphorical and direct documentary techniques, often incorporating text to deepen its impact. Through her projects, she not only celebrate the beauty and strength of women, but also create space for empathy, challenge perspectives, and bring untold stories to light.
Lidiya Zelke, captures powerful human stories through her lens. Her work explores themes of identity, resilience, and social justice, earning her recognition in competitions like the East Africa Photography Award, where she placed 2nd for her piece Twin Souls. A self- taught artist, Lidiya uses photography to amplify voices and tell stories that inspire empathy and change.
Mekdes Ababu is a photographer with a degree in Medical Laboratory Science who was inspired by local photographers to capture the authentic vibe of the streets. Her work includes documentary and portrait photography, focusing on conveying the true essence of urban life through the people who inhabit in Addis Ababa reflecting the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences that shape urban landscapes.
Helen Lemma is a self taught photographer whose photography passion starts with using her father's camera. Her work revolves around the daily life photographing streets and also playing with travel photography. She ranked in the top three for UPPA's East African Photography Award.