Where I come from
Namibia to Christchurch.
I was born in Namibia and lived there for 22 years of my life before moving to New Zealand in search of a new life and adventure (and to meet my father, who so kindly helped get me a visa). Christchurch has been the perfect staging ground for my new life!
Who I am
Balance and contrast.
It’s all about balance, and contrast. I’m a curious explorer who sees wonder in the world around me. I love a quiet evening with a cup of tea and candles. I adore exploring new places I’ve never been to, but I also appreciate being a regular at a cafe, so that I may have a usual order guessed by the serving staff. I like being on the knife’s edge, pushing boundaries, and discovering more about the world and myself.
Photography
From phone cameras to an R6 II.
It all started 20 years ago with the sharp 0.3 megapixels on my mother’s spare Motorola Razr. Every time I had a chance to get a new phone I’d be studying the cameras. I went from a Galaxy Corby, to the Sony Xperia phones, then back to Samsung with their S7 edge, Note10, S23, and S25 Ultra.
My first camera was a Canon 200D. I absolutely adored the experience of using it. I had no idea what I was doing, and didn't understand which of my two lenses, the kit lens and a 50mm f/1.8, was better for what I wanted to do. I eventually sold the camera as I had moved on to other hobbies.
I was then given a Canon SX70 HS by my grandad while I was on a trip back home in Namibia. It was the perfect toy to get me back into photography, especially being amongst the rhinos, giraffes, and flamingos of home. I then moved on to the Sony ZV-E10 II for my YouTube channel. I seriously missed the mechanical shutter of my 200D though, so I eventually sold the Sony and splurged heavily on an R6 II.
What I photograph
People, events, animals and nature.
I love taking photos of people, events, animals, and nature.
The van
Everything I own within reach.
In my mind as an enjoyer of exciting tech, I always hoped I’d be able to set myself up with just what I needed to get by while staying completely mobile. I won’t get too many opportunities to travel outside of New Zealand until I become a full citizen, but within the country, van life is incredible. I love having everything I own within reach and in one place. I feel free being able to leave wherever I am, and continue operating without interruptions on the go. I can drive 6 hours away and still have a spontaneous dip in the ocean, sit and work at a cafe, and sleep under the stars.
Why I built it
I moved into a fairly expensive flat at the same time that I got my job and regretted how much money was wasted on a living space that was far too large for little old minimalist me. While the advantages of having a two-bedroom place all to oneself are numerous, I simply would have been served better had I been living in a van and saving all of that money. I also loved the idea of learning all of the skills I’d need to build it myself, although this definitely made it way more expensive and time-consuming in the end. At least I had a place to store all of the tools and plywood I had acquired (did I mention the place had a garage?).
The latest video
The most recent video I’ve uploaded shows the build about one month before I had to move in. So much more has been done to the van in that time and I desperately need to release an update.
The difficult part
The rust removal process was so much more time-consuming than I had expected it to be. The van had a ton of rust on the floor that was hidden from me when I purchased it. I basically redid the whole floor, walls and ceiling myself.
The clubhouse
I love how much dedicated space I gave the bed. So many would disagree with this choice, but I love being comfortable and being able to sit up comfortably on the bed with some friends. The van has become known as the clubhouse for the excellent vibe that can be achieved with the large bed, fairy lights, and JBL speaker.
What I’d do differently
I would do a whole lot differently! First I’d get a van that’s wide enough for a horizontal bed. I’d focus on the power and lighting early in the build, rather than right at the end. And I’d give myself much, much, much more kitchen space than I currently have. Seriously, how did I think I’d get by without a dedicated benchtop to put things!?
The homepage photograph
I was off on a walk with one of my dearest friends, Caitlin, who is also a camera nerd, but of the Fujifilm variety. We had just walked her gorgeous and energetic 15-year-old doggo Jasper and I posed up for some shots in the van in the hopes of having a picture of myself for once out of my own camera.
The name
Kinetic. Ken. Kinetiken.
There was a time in my first couple of years in New Zealand where I was very busy. I was working 30 hours a week while doing a full-time Computer Science degree at the University of Canterbury. This meant as soon as I woke up every day it was “Go Go Go”. My personality was that of speed and getting things done quickly. I wanted to take that energy into my online persona, and I had already experimented with “KenGames” when I went through a game development period in 2019. I wanted Speed, and I wanted my name Kenan. I wanted Kinetic. And I wanted Ken. And the rest is history.
A good day
Well rested and surrounded by people I love.
I’m happiest when I’m well rested to be honest. But really I’m happiest when I’m surrounded by people I love and we’re doing something fun. Or when I’m wholly and fully engaged in something interesting.
What matters
Promises and failures.
I take promises seriously. I don’t take failures too seriously. They are learning opportunities.
I hope you understand that I am weird and that I am human, and I’m doing my best like everyone else.
Quick facts
The short version.
- My friends tease me about
- My man bun and my dating life.
- An unusually good day
- A long energetic productive sunny day in which I also get to see my closest friends and have a good time with them. Like a good beach day after an early morning shift.
- I can happily talk for too long about
- Anything I’m nerding about at the time. Currently photography. At one point, the best travel backpacks.
- Pronouns
- He/him