A Shared Vision: Black Women Photographers
As part of the column ‘Women by Women: A Shared Vision,’ Vogue had a conversation with Polly Irungu, founder of Black Women Photographers.
The aim of BWP is not only to give visibility to creatives, but also to help secure financial stability and provide educational resources. PhotoVogue sat down with Polly to learn more about the organisation, how it is structured, and how it’s possible to support our work.
Photograph by BWP member Jada Imani M.
Black Women Photographers x Nikon Grant Fund
The 2026 Black Women Photographers x Nikon Grant Program is a year-long initiative designed to support creators through four quarterly grant opportunities. Each grant recipient will receive:
(1) $2,500 USD cash grant
(1) Nikon Z6III 24-70mm f/4 lens kit
Applications for the Q2 grant open May 4, 2026.
Pictured: Rondasia Lamaria, a 2026 BWP grant recipient.
The BWP Summit
Over the past four years, The Black Women Photographers Summit has grown into an essential space for connection, learning, and growth. It has become the go-to 100% free summit for Black and African women creatives around the world.
Thanks to the continued support of Adobe Lightroom, the 2025 Summit was our most impactful yet, featuring inspiring conversations, free portfolio reviews, and valuable networking opportunities with both established and emerging creatives.
Featured Members
Note: This list rotates monthly. Request access to the directory HERE.
Just a few of the brands that have used our global directories to hire. #HireBlackWomenPhotographers
LoveYah Stewart - Dayton, Ohio
Lindsey West - Somerset, New Jersey
Shara Wilson - Los Angeles, California
Léa Miranda Monteiro - Switzerland - Cape Verde Island
Rhoda Tchokokam - Paris, France
Grace Ekpu - Lagos, Nigeria
Free Replay: Black Women Creatives in Sports Summit
The inaugural Black Women Creatives in Sports Summit is now available for free replay.
Throughout the summit, we explored powerful themes shaping our work and lives, including building sustainable businesses, prioritizing mental health and wellness, navigating the technical and creative sides of our craft, understanding gear and tools, financial literacy, motherhood, and the ongoing balance between creative careers and personal life. Each conversation reinforced the importance of community, authenticity, and intentional growth.
Photography by BWP member Brianna Robinson.
Celebrating Five Years of Black Women Photographers
As a young freelance photographer, Polly Irungu quickly grew tired of excuses from editors and brands about why they were not hiring more (or any) Black women. “The two things I heard the most were: ‘We don’t know where to find Black women photographers’ and ‘We want to work with people we already know’,” Irungu says. “There were also some misguided assumptions that Black photographers were not versatile enough or they only specialised in certain topics. These excuses reflected a systemic issue, rather than an actual lack of talent or opportunities.”
