Abinet Teshome

21/03/2026

If you’re a photographer, or even just slightly connected to the world of photography, you know how deeply Leica cameras are loved.

For someone like me, who started by shooting on a phone and creating most of my images on different Apple iPhone models over time, even getting my hands on a DSLR once felt like a dream come true. Back then, I didn’t even own a camera, it was always borrowed from friends or rented when I could.

Over time, I managed to own a few cameras here and there, mostly entry-level ones, learning along the way. But now, owning a Leica Q2 feels different, it feels like a full-circle moment.

Using it brings me right back to those early days, the excitement, the curiosity, that raw feeling of discovering photography for the first time.

Seeing the world in monochrome. I took the Q2 out for a spin to focus on light and shadow, here is a first look. The full story is now live in my website blog section.
https://www.abinetteshome.com

14/01/2026

The books that almost didn’t make it. 📦✈️

Shipping “Reframe Ethiopia” from Germany to Addis Ababa was supposed to be the easy part.

• Sent: Dec 4 (Germany)
• Arrived: Dec 13 (Addis)
• Customs Clearance: 22 long days.
• The Cost: 30,000 ETB in taxes.

It’s not always easy to bring international creative work back home. We missed our opening day deadline, and we faced hurdles we didn’t see coming. But art has a way of finding its way to the people.

To everyone who helped us push the process through and to our supporters who waited patiently—thank you. The books have arrived, the story is told, and the lesson is learned.

Note to fellow artists: When shipping to Ethiopia, “early” is never early enough!

29/12/2025

I’m excited to share my recent interview with journalist Genet on Ethiopia’s national broadcaster EBC, Entertainment program about the Reframe Ethiopia exhibition and Artawi Gallery.

Watch the full show on EBC’s YouTube channel—link in bio.

12/12/2025

Exciting News! My First Solo Exhibition: “Reframe Ethiopia” 🇪🇹📸

This is a dream come true and the culmination of a decade-long passion, effort, and journey.

Early in my photography career, I noticed a striking difference between the international image of Ethiopia—often focused on drought and conflict—and the beautiful reality I witnessed growing up and traveling the country. Seeing the truth with my own eyes was a revelation!

My exhibition, “Reframe Ethiopia,” is a dedication and a gift to this beautiful country. It’s an invitation to unlearn old assumptions and see the true identity of Ethiopia through quiet, balanced compositions: the resilient people, peaceful communities, and majestic, often overlooked landscapes.

This marks the close of one significant chapter in my journey and the start of another. I would love for you to join me to celebrate the beauty, truth, and dignity of Ethiopia!

• Opening: Sunday, Dec 21, 2025
• Time: 2pm – 6pm
• Location: Artawi Gallery
• Exhibition runs through: January 11th
See you there! 🙏

31/08/2025

20/07/2025

Proud to have photographed the Ethiopia section of “The African Decor Edit” alongside my friend Sehin Tewabe A book that honors the makers, the traditions, and the evolving story of African design—woven with soul, like the textiles it celebrates.

Huge thanks to XN Studio for bringing us into this journey, and to Bole Road Textile for the connection.

It’s an amazing feeling to see your work in print—and in such a beautifully crafted book. Truly proud to be part of this publication.

12/04/2025

Four years ago, on March 15, while photographing the streets of Megenagna, we were harassed and arrested—just for practicing street photography.

Fast forward to today, Sehin Tewabe has completed her artist residency in New York as the winner of the Women Street Photographers Artist Residency, selected from over 150 photographers worldwide! She was mentored by , captured the streets of NYC, and just opened her solo exhibition at the Women Street Photography Festival.

The journey hasn’t been easy, but pushing boundaries always pays off. Even when the environment is against you, keep going—your efforts will be seen.

Congratulations, Sehin! You inspire us all. Keep pushing!

📷 🙏🏾

.samoilova

12/04/2025

Here's an informative post about street photography in Ethiopia. After sharing our experience on my previous 2 posts, I realized many people don't know the law. Let's read, share, and help educate our community - the more people know, the safer it becomes for all of us.

06/04/2025

After sharing our story on my previous post, many of you reached out asking to see the photos I took that day. These are the images from March 25th, 2021-shot in Megenagna just before we were arrested for doing street photography. We were almost done with our photo walk when it happened, but I'm glad I managed to capture these moments. Sharing them now, four years later, feels like reclaiming that day.
For those who didn't see the earlier post — four years ago, while doing street photography in Megenagna, and I were harassed and arrested by the police, even though it was completely legal. Despite the challenges, we stayed true to our passion and kept creating. That dedication paid off - this week, on the exact day we were arrested, Sehin is in New York for the Women Street Photography Residency, chosen from 150 amazing women photographers, and set to exhibit her work at one of the biggest street photography festivals.

01/01/2025

Streets of Jambiani - Village in Unguja,Tanzania

Shared as a preview for our upcoming dual exhibition, "Beyond Borders", with Sehin Tewabe at Aartawi Gallery.