Jayne McLean Photographer

Jayne McLean Photographer An Australian travel photographer, blogger and tour organiser with a love for Africa.

It is rare in Ethiopias Omo Valley tribes for them to genuinely want a copy of their photos. Of course when you come wi...
14/06/2026

It is rare in Ethiopias Omo Valley tribes for them to genuinely want a copy of their photos. Of course when you come with a little printer and can give it to them they all love it, but I find more people in Northern Kenya actually want and value their photos. This is especially true for some of the elders I have given photos to either on the same trip or returned with their photo. This man knew I’d be returning to his village in only a couple of months and asked me to take his photo and bring it to him on my next trip. It was awesome watching him look at it and show his friends.
I’ve had so many wonderful moments from my travels and am so grateful for everything I’ve experienced 🙏🏻

14/06/2026

Amazing chanting, teamwork, strength and connection surrounds the men during a Donga ceremony. Here you can see the chief keeping his team in order subtly as they recharge to then start the stick fighting again.

I witness so much joy and happiness with the young children in the remote areas I travel. This hilarious boy is from th...
09/06/2026

I witness so much joy and happiness with the young children in the remote areas I travel. This hilarious boy is from the smallest tribal community in Northern Kenya, the El Molo. Living by the shores of Lake Turkana in Northern Kenya they rely on fishing to eat and trade.
It’s a harsh environment to live, but like their neighbours the Turkana tribe, they are resilient, adaptable and happy communities ❤️
❤️ 🇰🇪

I love their connection to nature. I love their connection to their land and I love their connection to each other and c...
04/06/2026

I love their connection to nature. I love their connection to their land and I love their connection to each other and community 🥰 This is ETHIOPIA 🇪🇹

02/06/2026

These boys are from the Benna tribe (Bena/Banna) and are sometimes called the “stick boys”. There are a variety of different thoughts on why the boys of this tribe have learnt to walk on stilts. The most well known theory is that it started to they could be on watch from a higher perspective to look after their livestock, as well as for snake protection.
However, in more recent years it has become something they do to attract tourists. Whilst it looks amazing to see them it’s also important for visitors and tour operators/guides to only stop if safe and also mutually beneficial. They most often stay next to the roads not far from Key Afer in Ethiopias Omo Valley and stopping on an unsafe part of a roadside obviously is not in anyone’s best interest. I’ve been fortunate to see them multiple times with some of our tour guests, but there’s also been times it hasn’t been safe to stop and they shouldn’t be encouraged to wait in the middle of a road or a windy road to get the attention of tourists. Always travel with a responsible, ethical tour team that respects the people you’re meeting and is a positive influence in tourism.
✅ if you are fortunate to meet them getting a low angle with a wide angle lens is always a great angle.

Hamer man in Turmi town on market day. Hamer are rich in culture and traditions. The market days in the Omo are always ...
31/05/2026

Hamer man in Turmi town on market day. Hamer are rich in culture and traditions. The market days in the Omo are always great to see people gathered to trade and socialise. Always full of color and chaos and of course incredible Omo fashion.

Mondays are market day in Turmi (Hamer tribe).

30/05/2026

We always love playing little games with the children on our travels. This was in a Turkana tribe village along the shores of Lake Turkana in northern Kenya 🇰🇪 Looking forward to being back there again very soon ☀️ when you watched the video did you see the rainbow? 🌈
🇰🇪

Connection to each otherConnection to landConnection to natureConnection to the outdoors Connection to art and creativit...
29/05/2026

Connection to each other
Connection to land
Connection to nature
Connection to the outdoors
Connection to art and creativity 😍
THIS IS ETHIOPIA 🇪🇹
❤

29/05/2026

Grateful for tour guests like Simon that respect the people we photograph and listen to my advice and experience 🙏🏻. Simon had such a great time and the Hamer tribe were one of his favourite tribes on his tour. The Hamer tribe are used to visitors and when you show respect they are incredibly welcoming…if you don’t have a good experience with them then it’s a good time to reflect on perhaps why your actions or behaviour may have made them not so friendly.
✅Travel with someone they respect
✅Listen to those that have experience
I’ve had a few tour guests that want to “take photos their way” but if it’s not respectful how can you be proud of your images?
A pro travel photographer can adjust and blend in ✅.

When the Surma tribe women aren’t wearing their lip plates their stretched lower lip dangles. It is a tradition that is...
28/05/2026

When the Surma tribe women aren’t wearing their lip plates their stretched lower lip dangles. It is a tradition that is stopping with the next generation who are choosing to no longer continue with this cultural practice. Most of the women that do have a lip plate carry their lip plate with them and choose when to wear them throughout their day. One of the times traditionally that they must wear their lip plate is when serving their husband any food. Their husband paid more for their bride for their lip plate and the bigger the more payment so as a sign of respect at meal serving times the wife must wear their lip plate.
Body scarring, ear disks and plugs and beaded accessories are still highly regarded.
You can read more about my time with them on one of my past blog posts.

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