Visual artist Catherine Jepkemboi alias Minicheps revealed her journey to the top might not have been successful without the help of her partner, who is an animator.

After the partner noticed her passion for photography, he challenged her to start creating miniature photographs of herself, as it would help her stand out in crowded opportunities.

However, she had no equipment and would rely on borrowed camera that was later taken by the owner, leaving her with zero tools.

“I always loved taking pictures. My partner Meshak Korir and I would use a borrowed camera, but with time, we saved up and bought our own. That is when I began to take the work I do seriously,” she said.

For two years, Minicheps’ work remained unnoticed, but her big breakthrough came on 2021 Valentine’s Day, when a visual she had created went viral on social media.

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To create the images, Minicheps starts with photography. Together with her partner, they synergize ideas on the final product.

“Before the final product comes out, my partner and I sit down and discuss various experiences we have had, as well as ideas. Afterward, we go out to look for affordable objects and items that can be used for the day’s work,” she said.

The software she uses for her work remains unknown, and she chose to keep it a secret since that is what makes her work unique.

Her creativity has seen her land major gigs with many renowned brands, including the Coca-Cola Company, Indomie, and Toss detergent, among others.

She bagged the Arts Influencer of the Year title in the 2022 Pulse Influencer Awards, which was her first major accolade as a content creator.