Mame Cheikh Mbaye is a Dakar-based street photographer whose candid black-and-white images capture the soul of daily life in Senegal. His work blends intuition, cultural storytelling, and a deep respect for the people and spaces he documents. Rooted in the streets of Dakar, Mame Cheikh Mbaye’s photography reveals quiet strength and fleeting emotion, offering a poetic glimpse into the rhythm of urban life.
My name is Mame Cheikh Mbaye, and I am a street photographer deeply engaged with the stories of individuals and the environments they inhabit. My work focuses on capturing the resilience and beauty of people who navigate struggle, often within the spaces they call home or the places where they work. I believe that true character shines through when moments are unposed. By taking portraits without prior consent, I aim to reveal the authentic selves of my subjects, capturing fleeting emotions and genuine interactions that might otherwise go unnoticed. I find profound depth in black and white imagery, where light and shadow converge to create powerful narratives.
Composition is essential to my artistic process. I carefully consider how elements within the frame interact, weaving together a compelling story that resonates with viewers. For me, street photography transcends mere artistic expression; it serves as a form of meditation and a means of connection. As I engage with the world around me, I discover beauty in every face, a reminder of the shared humanity that binds us all. Through my lens, I strive to illuminate the richness of life.