Black Women Photographers offers a new outlook for Black creatives
It’s been just a year since Black Women Photographers was founded, on July 7, 2020, and the organization has already done so much to help Black and non-binary photographers. The organization was founded by Polly Irungu in order to give Black women photographers like herself not only the platform and attention they deserve but also the appreciation and pay.
With over 600 members from all around the world, big strides have been made to help the community. Just recently, BWP partnered with Nikon, receiving $40k in grants and $10k for gear.
15 Black Woman Music Photographers to Follow on Instagram Right Now
In honor of #BlackMusicMonth, we’ve been inviting some of our favorite Black woman music photographers to take over our Instagram feed. This joyous month may be concluding, but the festival and the touring season are just getting started.
Here’s our list of 15 Black woman music photographers that you can follow on Instagram (and hire!).
Juneteenth Through the Lens of Black Women Photographers
Check out our Juneteenth gallery.
5 Black Non-Binary Photographers to Follow on Instagram This Month
Beginning this month, we will curate a global list of five Black non-binary photographers to follow on Instagram.
The photographers featured will be from our global directory, selected by BWP founder Polly Irungu.
The list will drop during the first week of the month.
5 Black Women Photographers to Follow on Instagram This Month
Every month, we will curate a global list of five Black women photographers to follow on Instagram.
The photographers featured will be from our global directory, selected by BWP founder Polly Irungu.
The list will drop during the first week of the month.
Motherhood Through the Lens of Black Women Photographers
“Photographing a tender moment between mother and child at a “Share Black Stories” photo stand powered by Instagram at annual music festival Afropunk in Brooklyn in August 2019, the first of these two images showcases a mother dotingly looking at and cradling her child.”
Maria J Hackett on Balancing Motherhood and Photography
In light of Mother’s Day, and highlighting Black Women Photographers New York City members, Laila AnnMarie Stevens sat with Maria J Hackett and discussed her journey with motherhood and exploring motherhood within her work.
5 Black Women Photographers to Follow on Instagram This Month
Every month, we will curate a global list of five Black women photographers to follow on Instagram.
The photographers featured will be from our global directory, selected by BWP founder Polly Irungu.
Why Photojournalist Dee Dwyer is the Visual Voice for the People
Dee Dwyer is motivated by trying to demystify the “misunderstood.” You’ll often find her photographing in Black and White to capture the nebulous grey areas that are neglected under the mainstream media’s eye. Her latest projects are no exception. The first photo that caught my eye browsing her Instagram was Black women twerking in a circle at a celebration for Women’s History Month in Washington, D.C. Though the white gaze often sharply portrays Black pain and Black joy as distinct from each other, Dee’s uncensored imagery disrupts these specific parameters of the truth, adversities, beauty, and culture of the Black experience.
Joy Ofodu to the world: a digital media mogul in the making
Joy Ofodu is the youngest marketer at Instagram, arguably the largest and most popular social media company globally. Her life’s mission is to empower communities, particularly Black creators, both on and offline. Equipped with her vibrant personality and dynamic online presence to match, she is quite literally bringing joy to the world one Instagram reel at a time.
Cheriss May’s Photojournalism is Highlighting the Hidden Figures of Our Communities
Cheriss May’s passion to connect the souls of those she photographs from lens to paper all began when she received a Kodak film camera for Christmas. Several photography classes and successful shoebox camera experiments later, she got admission into Howard with a major in advertising. Through happenstance steered her toward a career in graphic design, photography was always the crux of her destiny.
5 Black Women Photographers to Follow on Instagram This Month
Every month, we will curate a global list of five Black women photographers to follow on Instagram.
The photographers featured will be from our global directory, selected by BWP founder Polly Irungu.
“Something big is about to happen”: In Conversation with Endia Beal
“The history of photography for Black women is still being written. Photography, in general, was never designed for Black women to thrive,” Beal said.
Black women photographers are here. We are doing the work. We are continuing a thrilling narrative started by creatives like Endia Beal, Carrie Mae Weems, Lorna Simpson, and LaToya Ruby Frazier to name a few.
So, buckle up. Something big is about to happen.