In this episode, he shows us how a camera becomes more than gear. It’s protection. It’s prophecy. It’s a way to remember what the world works hard to forget and imagine what it’s never dared to dream.He breaks down why chasing purpose over paper isn’t optional. It’s how you stay alive in a system built to drain you.Growing up between Florida, New York, and L.A. sharpened his third eye. Trained him to spot beauty in the overlooked. Power in the everyday.When he documented essential workers during...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Season 5Ep. 89
In this episode of Black Shutter Podcast , we sit down with photographer Sianeh Kpukuyou (@AskPhotos) to explore the power of perspective, storytelling, and representation in photography. Sianeh shares her journey from discovering photography through a Canon 6D gift to tackling issues of colorism, identity, and societal beauty norms in her work. She breaks down the challenges of access to equipment in Ghana, how restrictions fuel creative innovation, and the importance of respectful engagement w...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 6Ep. 88
In this episode, Steve Jones, founder of Pocstock explores how leaders in the industry are pushing for authentic representation of marginalized communities. We discuss the crucial role of photographers of color, emphasizing the financial potential of licensing and the importance of model releases for sustained income. We address industry challenges, such as the resistance to diverse representation, while highlighting initiatives like Pocstock that champion inclusive imagery. The video also cover...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 87
In Episode 86, we speak with Dominick Lewis, the mastermind behind Photodom —the first Black-owned camera shop in Brooklyn—as he breaks down how building community has been the key to his success. From day one, it wasn’t just about selling cameras; it was about creating a space where film photographers could vibe, learn, and grow together. Dom talks about the power of support systems and how you can accomplish more when you move as a team. With his background in engineering and a passion for fil...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 5Ep. 86
Tune in to Episode 85 where we speak with Los Angeles-based photo editor, Karen Williams. After graduating in 2008, Karen faced the harsh realities of the photo industry, struggling with low pay, extreme stress, and lack of career advancement. Burnout and instability were constant, leading her to found Black Visual Queen to combat industry injustices like racism and lack of diversity. Over 15 years, she worked with 14 companies and billion-dollar brands, turning her dream into a reality and now ...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 5Ep. 85
In this episode, Chester Higgins Jr. discusses his approach to harnessing the spirit within a photograph. He has photographed Muhammad Ali, Betty Shabazz, Gordon Parks, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and many more prominent figures. His work is in the permanent collection of the MOMA. In 2022, he was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame museum. The wisdom in this conversation is invaluable. Chester Higgins Jr. can also be found online at: Instagram Website...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Season 5Ep. 84
About Ruddy: Radcliffe Roye is a Brooklyn based documentary photographer specializing in editorial and environmental portraits and photo-journalism photography. A photographer with over twelve years of experience, Radcliffe is inspired by the raw and gritty lives of grass-roots people, especially those of his homeland of Jamaica. Radcliffe strives to tell the stories of their victories and ills by bringing their voices to matte fibre paper. Recently, Radcliffe began experimenting with interpreta...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 48 min•Season 5Ep. 83
Tune in to episode 82 where we speak again with Kris Graves, a New York City-based photographer and publisher, who details his journey from gallerist to founding Monolith Editions , a Black-owned publishing house dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices. This episode is for any artists interested in publishing their work in book format. We hope this conversation is informative and points you in the right direction.
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Season 5Ep. 82
Tune in to Episode 81, where we speak with Brooklyn-based photo editor and producer, Tracey Woods about the work that happens to bring photoshoots to life. She shares the transition from magazine covers to digital transitions, industry insights, and ips for photographers to inject their personality into their images.
Jan 30, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Season 5Ep. 81
View this episode on our YouTube channel Peace family. In this episode, we’re taking you on a journey through the lens of Lawrence Agyei. As always, we focus on more than just the picture-making side of photography; it's about stories, culture, and the real essence of photography. Here are some of the show notes. Enjoy the episode. Dive into the Visual Chronicles: Lawrence Agyei fills us in on his background, inspirations, and how he crafts a vibe that makes people feel at home. He explores pers...
Jan 04, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 80
Tune in to Episode 79 where we've created a live podcast episode with Brooklyn-based street photographer, Andre Wagner, at The International Center of Photography located in New York City. We speak with Andre about his ability to find human connections through street photography. Andre Wagner is a photographer and artist living and working in Brooklyn, NYC. He explores and chronicles the poetic and lyrical nuances of daily life, using the city—particularly his own neighborhood and community—as h...
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Season 4Ep. 79
Tune in to Episode 78 where we speak with Los Angeles-based editorial and portrait photographer, Phylicia J.L. Munn , about her strategies for photographing celebrities.
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Season 4Ep. 78
Tune in to Episode 77 where we speak with Los Angeles-based photojournalist and documentary photographer, Gabriella Angotti-Jones , about the nuances of navigating the photography world as a Black woman.
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 77
Tune in to Episode 76 where we speak with Brooklyn-based street and portrait photographer, Naeem Douglas , about his approach to photographing strangers on the street.
Jun 23, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 76
Tune in to Episode 75 where we speak with Washington DC-based portrait and editorial photographer, Adedayo Kosoko, about the power of your name and living up to your greatest potential.
May 31, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 75
If you’ve been interested in or currently practice film photography, this episode will inspire you to go purchase a bunch of rolls. We are definitely excited to dive back into the slow process of film after hearing Redeat Wondemu’s process. Tune in to Episode 74 where we speak with Washington D.C.- based artist/photographer, Redeat Wondemu, about the process of documenting a Muse.
May 14, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 4Ep. 74
Brooklyn-based photographer, Clay Williams, considers himself a documentarian who focuses on the culture of food - the history, the chefs, the process, the meal itself, and the culture that brings all of these elements together. His culinary adventures have taken him on road trips through Argentina and South Louisiana. They have found him hanging off the back of food trucks from Paris to The Bronx. In 2019, he co-founded Black Food Folks, a platform for professionals working in food and food med...
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 38 min•Season 4Ep. 73
Tune in to Episode 72 where we speak with Brooklyn-based commercial and editorial photographer, Jai Lennard, about the different childhood experiences that led him to his current path.
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 72
Tune in to Episode 71 where we speak with Detroit-based photojournalist, Sarahbeth Maney, about the power of empathy to build trust.
Mar 31, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Season 4Ep. 71
Tune in to Episode 70 where we speak with Baltimore-based street and documentary photographer, Devin Allen, about the importance of serving his community through photography.
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Season 4Ep. 70
Tune in to Episode 69 where we speak with New Jersey-based photographer, Clifton Prescod, about identifying his target clients and audience in order to make impactful work.
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 48 min•Season 4Ep. 69
Tune in to Episode 68 where we speak with Washington D.C.-based music photographer, Victoria “Sneakshot” Ford about photographing live concerts and musicians with integrity.
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Season 4Ep. 68
Tune in to Episode 67 where we speak with New York-based portrait photographer, Elias Williams, about what it means to photograph a community with pride and dignity.
Jan 18, 2023•56 min•Season 4Ep. 67
Tune in to Episode 66 where we recap some of the best quotes from our guests in 2022.
Jan 05, 2023•39 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Tune in to Episode 65 where we speak with Oxford, MS-based documentary photographer, Vanessa Charlot , about the multi-faceted stories that exist within Black culture.
Dec 14, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 65
Tune in to episode 64 where we speak with Albuquerque, NM, commercial and editorial photographer, and filmmaker, Evan Green about building a legacy as a Black photographer in the outdoor sports scene.
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 64
Tune in to Episode 63 where we speak with New York and Los Angeles-based commercial and portrait photographer, Sage East, about manifesting her dreams.
Nov 19, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 63
Rita Harper is a documentary photographer and photojournalist from Atlanta, Georgia. A quiet child, she grew interested in imagery and observing her surroundings – both skills that have greatly benefited her work. With no formal art education, she began to take to the streets of Atlanta and discover a style of her own. She quickly realized the affinity she had for capturing Black life and Atlanta culture simultaneously. It is her goal to show the beauty of the everyday person. Rita has captured ...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 62
Tune in to Episode 61, where we speak with Miami-based commercial photographer and filmmaker, Bob Metelus, on approaching the craft with humility and confidence. He prides himself in being trusted and keeping that trust with the people he works with. That trust has led to him being the personal photographer for Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul, Rick Ross. He is the lead of Metelus Studios, which is a leading multimedia content production company within the sports and entertainment world. His clients incl...
Sep 29, 2022•1 hr 30 min•Season 3Ep. 61
Tune in to Episode 60 where we speak with Nigerian-born commercial and portrait photographer, Ebuka Mordi about using his limitations to his advantage. Ebuka is motivated by the limitations he faces. He believes there is a growth process that forces photographers to hone their skills and become better versions of themselves. Basically, they need to pay their dues. Ebuka is a portrait and commercial photographer based in Abuja, Nigeria. His work has been featured in Vogue and he has worked with A...
Sep 15, 2022•50 min•Season 3Ep. 60
