Stilt Walking Boys in Ethiopia
Hey folks, if you've ever dreamed about heading to Ethiopia, especially the Omo Valley, chances are you've heard about the famous Banna Boys, also called the Giraffe Boys. These young guys from the Banna tribe greet tourists by walking on super tall wooden stilts, and I was so excited to meet them that I had a specific photo idea planned before we even arrived. In this quick fun video, I share the whole behind-the-scenes process of trying to capture that perfect low-angle fisheye shot, dodging their careful steps, directing the group, and even chatting a bit about their lives through our guide Ermie. It's a lighthearted look at one of the coolest little cultural encounters in the region.
Planning the Perfect Shot
I came prepared with a clear vision for something unique.
I wanted to use my 10.5mm fisheye lens and shoot from the ground up while the boys stood in a circle around me.
The wide distortion would really emphasize their height and make the image feel dynamic.
On-Location Adjustments
Things didn't go exactly as planned at first.
We started on the road, but traffic made it impossible to get everyone organized safely and quickly.
So we moved up to a small hill for more space and better control.
The boys walked right over me on their stilts, so I had to stay super low and careful to avoid any accidental steps.
Capturing the Group Photo
I experimented until it came together.
I shot in both portrait and landscape orientations.
I lay flat on my back for that dramatic low perspective.
With some directing, we finally got them positioned the way I pictured.
The final group shot turned out really close to what I had in mind and looked awesome.
A Quick Chat Through Our Guide
Once the photos were done, I asked Ermie to help me ask the boys a few questions.
They are all family members.
The leader pointed out the youngest in the group.
Stilt walking for tourists started with other people in the area, and now these guys do it too.
They perform whenever they can, not just certain days.
Many of them had school that morning and came out afterward—pretty cool how they balance both.
Finishing with a Portrait
I wrapped things up by asking one of the boys for a close-up portrait.
The result gave a nice, direct, and striking look at one of these talented young stilt walkers.