Essamba is one of the most acclaimed and accomplished African female photographers of her generation, who has had more than 200 exhibitions around the world, and more than 50 publications in journals and magazines.
[4] Drawing on her personal experiences, history, culture, perspective and environmental influences, Essamba's photographs combine technique with a strong sense of emotion.
Her 1995 series of black-and-white photographs, White Line, was awarded the Prix Spécial Afrique at the Festival des Trois Continents, Nantes in 1996.
[4] Since the time of her debut exhibition in Amsterdam in 1985, Essamba's body of work has been shown at a variety of institutions, biennales, and fairs.
These locations include Venice, Havana, Dakar, Johannesburg, and Bamako, along with events across Africa, Europe, the United States, Cuba, Mexico, and China.