Emmanuel Santos

Emmanuel Santos was born in Angola in 1939. He moved to Congo-Kinshasa with his brother – an established photographer who introduced him to photography. In 1963, he settled in Kinshasa where he worked in a photographic studio before leaving three month later to improve his black-and-white technique. Relying on his new skills, Santos successively opened three studios named Studio Santos and spread through the city between 1968 and 1974. While he was busy taking photos of his clients, his family helped him in the laboratory for photo development and enlargements. Among his customers, there were families as well as young people who came strutting before the camera. That will give Santos the idea to provide them with accessories. Consequently, the studio often became a gym or boxing ring with the photography sessions turning into weight-lifting contests. Unfortunately, Santos lost a large portion his works and equipments during the lootings in 1991.

Lema Mpeve Mervil

Lema Mpeve Mervil was born in 1948 in Congo-Kinshasa. Growing up in a family of photographers, he developed an interest in photography encouraged by his older brother. Then, he completed photography training in a professional public institution, which has allowed him to perfect his skills. In 1973, Mpeve opened his own studio named Photo LESS (for Lema au Service Social) in Kinshasa where he took pictures of many people for administrative reasons or as a souvenir. With several people posing as friendly boxers, neighborhood dandies, or petty hoodlums, his pictures helped to visually construct social ideals and aspirations of his customers. In fact, the studio’s clients were styling themselves how they like to be seen by others. In 1991, a flood destroyed the majority of his material and records. Today, Photo LESS still exists but only handles identity photographs for local students.

Philippe Ndombélé

Philippe Ndombélé and Emmanuel Ndombasi were brothers born in Angola. They both moved to Congo-Kinshasa probably during the independence war in Angola. Philippe settled in Kinshasa while his brother was living in a city near the capital. He was introduced to photography by Manuel Pedro – an Angolan photographer who established a studio in Kinshasa in 1935. Phillipe worked as an assistant for Pedro and was later joined by Emmanuel in 1967. Three years later, Phillipe and his associate Vétokélé Domibar opened their own studio: Studio Vendopho (for Vetokélé Ndombélé Photo). The two brothers shot pictures for news reports and studio portraits using a Roleiflex 6x6. Their clients were representative of the Congolese society with picture representing young people, musicians, or families. While they were busy with the operations of the studio, Vétokélé was in charge of the finances. A successful merchant and owner of bars and hotels, he handled the purchase of equipment and watch the studio’s profitability. Unfortunately, the studio closed in 1980 with the advent of colour photography.

Ambroise Ngaimoko

Ambroise Ngaimoko was born in Angola in 1949. In 1961, he moved with his family to Kinshasa and later became the assistant of his uncle, a photographer who ran two studios and gave him a Yashica 6x6 camera. In 1971, Ngaimoko opened Studio 3Z (for the 3 Zaïre: country, currency, and river) in Kitambo. There he gained recognition due to an exceptional technique, in which he created a double portrait by printing the same negative twice or two negatives on the same sheet. In his studio, Ngaimoko often provided props and created several different settings. Young people who came to Studio 3Z remember it because of the constantly changing backdrops. Ngaimoko knew how to use the right words and gestures to keep his clients loyal. However, in the full swing of Zairization – a campaign of national authenticity, there was a shortage of 6x6 films which coupled with the arrival of the color film has caused the drop of his clientele.

Sources: Photographes de Kinshasa, N'Goné Fall, Editions Revue Noire, 2001.