The Post Nobody Asked For

Nobody asked for this post, but I feel like I need to lay down a few hard and fasts about me, my beliefs, and my opinions and how it is connected to photography.

“I don’t see color,” In regard to distinguishing between races is in fact racist. To not see color prevents people from seeing the beauty of Black & Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). As a photographer and an artist, I absolutely need to see color. I also need to see light and know how to manipulate light to best light my subject. Photographing a fair skinned individual and a dark skin black person are very different. To “not see color.” Is such a cop out and such a white-washed version of reality.

Karen, I’m so glad your rose-tinted, white-suburban glasses allow to choose to decrease the blackness of people until they are a shade that you’re comfortable with, but black and brown people see color. And we should too. They experience subtle and blatant racism every day because of their skin color. By you not seeing their color and their obstacles, you are part of the problem.

it is important to me that I photograph BIPOC people well. So many white photographers do not get the exposure correct or they blow out the highlights. I do not want that. Their skin color is perfect. I have run several model calls specific to BIPOC people in order to practice. Because it is different. I challenged myself and pushed myself creatively with backgrounds and lighting. I need to understand lighting with all types of models and backgrounds.

I firmly believe that I cannot be a good photographer if my entire portfolio shows only photos of white people taken at sunset. That’s a one trick pony. That is not a challenge.

When black Africans we’re enslaved, they lost their culture. They had to start brand new. They needed to develop their own culture. Again, that is not mine to take. I will admire your box braids and your locked hair, but I will never touch it (unless I specifically ask and only to help position it for the photo). Although I think your hair is gorgeous, I will not be replicating it on myself.

I also want to reiterate that BIPOC people are beautiful. Their clothing and their hairstyles are a part of their culture. The US has done such an injustice to the indigenous nations by forced assimilation and residential schools. I understand that your culture belongs to you and it is your choice if and when you choose to share that. I will not be photographing non Natives in headdresses or feathers that mimic Native culture. Your culture is not a costume.

Moving along, this shouldn’t even need to be said, but I am LGBTQ friendly. I will photograph same sex couples in the same capacity I would photograph hetero couples. You choose what images you’d like posted. Maybe you don’t want photos of you and your partner kissing—that’s ok. I will not out anybody. If you are OK with those images being posted—they’re going in my portfolio and on social media. Same-sex intimacy needs to be normalized. It exists and love is beautiful. Anyone that disagrees can kick rocks. If someone posts hurtful or derogatory comments on my page, those comments get deleted and that person earns themselves a ban.

I will call you by the name and pronouns you use to address yourself. If your pronouns change between our sessions, I will update my mental catalog with your new pronouns. If your gender identity has changed and you no longer want photos of your old identify and dead name online, I will remove them from my website and social media.

These are not political issues. These are basic human issues. I am actively trying to educate myself on how to be inclusive. It is important to me that all people, but especially marginalized people feel heard and safe in my space. I am willing to lose business and friends over these beliefs. If you disagree with this, I strongly encourage you to examine your beliefs and your moral compass. I'm confident where mine points, are you?