Michel Kameni (1936-2020), nicknamed “Papami” is a Cameroonian photographer. His work explores the evolution of a postcolonial Yaounde by portraying its inhabitants with incredible kindness and passion. These images are more than just a document, they are also an intimate study of the relationship between the photographer and his subject.

In September 1963, he opened a photo studio in the Briqueterie district of Yaoundé, where the whole of Cameroonian society passed before his lens, from all social circles and different cultural backgrounds, Christians and Muslims, urban socialites to provincial farmers, all travelling through this great city.

In 2017, French photographer Benjamin Hoffman came across the work of Michel Kameni, and built a solid relationship with him. Benjamin decided to start highlighting his work. When Michel died in 2020, the Kameni family bequeathed the artistic estate of Michel to Benjamin, so he could continue highlighting this incredible work.