Henos Adhanom
By Haych
Henos Adhanom By Haych
Henos sees photography as a uniquely powerful medium. For him, a photograph has the ability to evoke emotions and tell stories in ways that video sometimes can’t. “There’s something so powerful about taking a photo, especially in a world where video dominates,” he says. “A photo can evoke something deep, even if it means something different to everyone.”
This belief in the power of photography drives much of his work. Whether he’s shooting events or working on personal projects, Henos approaches every shot with intention, aiming to capture moments that resonate. “It’s not just about taking a picture. It’s about capturing something that lasts, something meaningful.”
Photos by By Haych
Capturing his interest
Henos’s interest in photography began early on. As a child, he often found himself behind the camera at family gatherings, but it wasn’t until his teenage years that he started to consider it as a potential career path. “I’ve always been the one taking photos at family events and birthdays,” he recalls. “Even before I thought of it as a career, people would ask me to take their photos. I guess I’ve always had an eye for it.”
Despite his interest, Henos didn’t immediately pursue photography professionally. Growing up, creative careers weren’t always seen as a viable option. “I never thought of photography as something you could make a living from,” he explains. “When you hear about photographers, it’s usually people who are really big, so I didn’t think it was something I could do.”
It wasn’t until after university, where he studied sports psychology, that Henos decided to take the leap. A mentor at a youth charity he worked with recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue photography more seriously. That mentor handed him a camera and told him to start shooting. From there, his love for photography flourished, and soon after graduating, Henos bought his first camera and committed to growing his photography business.
“When you hear about photographers, it’s usually people who are really big, so I didn’t think it was something
I could do.”
Balancing creativity and business
Like many creatives, Henos initially found it difficult to balance the artistic and business sides of his work. “I’ve been 80% creative and 20% business, which isn’t great for growth,” he admits. However, with the help of his Creative Mentor Network mentor, Henos has started to focus more on the business aspect of his photography. “I’m working on shifting that to 60/40. I’m even building a portfolio and learning more about the business side of things.”
For Henos, growing By Haych isn’t just about making money, it’s about creating a stable foundation that allows him to pursue photography full-time while also giving back to the community. “The end goal for me is not just to take photos, but to be in a position where I can open my own agency or charity and help the younger generation,” he explains. “It’s about using my skills to give back.”
Above is a selection of photos taken by Henos for our Black History Month feature.
Inspired by Role Models and Family
Throughout his journey, Henos has drawn inspiration from various sources, including photographer Zoe Rain. “Zoe is someone whose work I've followed for a while since starting and found inspiration from,” Henos says. “She covers events and music as well as photos from her travels to different parts of the world and documents it. She also has video elements to her work which I am currently doing.”
However, the work ethic that drives Henos comes from his family, particularly his mother. Having immigrated to the UK from Eritrea when he was seven years old, Henos watched his mother work tirelessly to support him and his siblings. “My mum’s work ethic is something I’ve always admired,” he says. “She worked to support us, and she’s always been a role model for me.”
His family’s support has been crucial in his pursuit of a creative career, even if it is away from the more academic path his siblings have taken. “It was never a fear of how I’d tell my mum this is what I want to do,” he explains. “She’s always encouraged me to follow my passion.”
Looking Ahead
Whilst at the beginning of his journey to build By Haych, Henos is freelancing whilst working FreeWheel, a part of Comcast and getting more exposure to the corporate world. He’s excited about what the future holds, how his current mentorship will help him on this journey, and work with his values to support young people in the future. “It’s about making an impact,” he says.
See more of Henos’s photography on his Instagram here.