Allyship
Photography, Power and the Frame We Don't See In his powerful poem If I Were a Racist, musician and educator Dr. Nathan Holder exposes how racism is often embedded not in overt acts, but in the everyday norms of music education, in what's taught, what'
Essay
Introduction: Beyond the Shutter Click There’s a moment, just before the shutter clicks, when everything aligns. Not technically, but spiritually. The light is soft. The subject exhales. The silence feels full. And the photographer knows. That’s the moment they shoot. Not because the settings are perfect, but because
Allyship
You’ve read the books. You’ve shared the posts. You’ve shown up to workshops and started having harder conversations with friends and family. You’ve taken steps toward allyship, and that matters. But what if there’s more? What if being an ally is only the beginning? Across
Introduction: The Gap Between Awards and Reality This photo that won won Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021 raises so many questions. 1: Why is the child sleeping in the sun? 2: Why is the child sleeping in an abandoned house? 3: Is it because the child is Black that
"The Black gaze is about the experiences that exist within each and every single one us. There are stories at every single corner. And it’s those stories that allows us to have a voice; especially when so many people are voiceless, and don’t get to share those
"This question has come to me a few times, in many different contexts and places in the world and each time my answer is the same, the Black gaze, is the perception of ourselves and that also answers why it matters." — Magno Daniel How does the Black gaze
"To me, the ‘Black gaze’ is about shifting the visual power and narrative to, and through, the lens of Blackness. Having that awareness means working with the understanding that experiencing life in Black bodies, environments, forms and aesthetics is varied and complex, where the ‘white gaze’ may be, and
"The Black gaze means looking within, it means revisiting stories that were documented by the White folk when it comes to our own stories. I can give you Ethiopia, my own country, as an example. A lot of its history, including imagery has been written and photographed by White
"The Black gaze to me simply means being different. Everyday I see photographers and I go, “What goes on in the head of these guys?” I want that for me someday, I want people to wonder and crave how I think." — Kester Onyemaechi How does the Black gaze
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In Part One, we shared 10 essential books to help allies grow in understanding and commitment to anti-racism. In this second instalment, we’re shifting the focus to photography and visual culture. Images shape how we see the world and how the world sees Black people. These books are for
Introduction Gordon Parks (1912 to 2006) remains one of the most influential American photographers of the twentieth century. His camera was both a mirror and a window, reflecting the harsh realities of the nation while offering a glimpse into lives too often overlooked. Born in Fort Scott, Kansas, Parks rose
This is the first in a two-part reading list for allies. If you're here, chances are you're looking for ways to understand more, to do better, and to walk more closely in solidarity with Black communities. That starts with listening, deeply and honestly. The books in
There are photographs you take because of light or timing or luck. And then there are the ones that take hold of you. This is that photo for me. It’s a portrait of my mum. My only parent. A single mother. Taken just months before she passed away in
Being an ally is not about having the right answers. It is about asking the right questions, especially when no one is watching. If you are a not Black and committed to anti-racism, accountability is one of the most important parts of the journey. It keeps your allyship honest. It
Reimagining Beauty, Identity, and Representation In a world flooded with images, some photographers manage to cut through the noise. Not by shouting louder, but by seeing deeper. Campbell Addy is one of those artists. His portraits are bold and cinematic. They are rich in colour, culture, and symbolism. But behind
Understanding Performative Allyship In the wake of social movements like Black Lives Matter, the language of allyship has entered mainstream conversation. Brands issue solidarity statements. Influencers post black squares. Individuals rush to share anti-racism books or repost viral infographics. These gestures are often well-intentioned. But when disconnected from accountability or
Photography as Witness, Protest, and Power Some photographers make you look. Others make you see. Misan Harriman belongs in the second group. His images don’t just document moments, they amplify them. His work captures not only what is happening, but what it means. Through protest portraits, magazine covers, and
Take a moment and scroll through your social media feed. Think about the podcasts you subscribe to, the films you watch, the books on your shelves, and the newsletters in your inbox. Now ask yourself one simple but revealing question: Who’s missing? Our timelines, both online and offline, are
Photography has long been a tool for observation. But for many Black photographers, it becomes something more, a way to document truth, connect with community, and honour lived experience. Adama Jalloh is one of those artists. Her work cuts through noise and spectacle. It captures people as they are. No
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you already care. You believe in equality. You’re against racism. You might have spoken out in conversations, shared a few resources, or taken a stand when it felt important. But then comes the question that many well-meaning non-Black allies
Photography is more than image-making. In the hands of the right artist, it becomes a form of care, a way of seeing, holding, and honouring people and their stories. For Black creatives in Britain, this has often meant reclaiming space and reshaping narratives. It’s about challenging how we’ve
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