Black Women Photographers Is a Global Community at the Forefront of a Changing Industry



Esther Sweeney. All photos courtesy of Black Girls Photographers, shared with permission

In June of 2020, Polly Irungu launched Black Women Photographers with about 100 members and the hope that extra Black girls would obtain commissions and higher recognition for his or her work. “I didn’t actually know that pictures was an area for me to be in, as I didn’t see myself on the planet of pictures or actually any artwork areas for that purpose,” Irungu stated in regards to the impetus for the group in a recent interview. “I believe with the work that I’ve been doing, it’s clearly shattering that. It’s placing us, as Black girls, to the forefront, as we now have been shut out of the business for thus lengthy.”

Simply two years later, the group has grown exponentially, now touting a world membership of greater than 1,200 from 50 plus nations. It affords a listing geared towards curators, editors, and types trying to rent, along with programming, academic alternatives, awards, and portfolio evaluations. In 2021, it additionally established an annual $50,000 grant fund in partnership with Nikon, furthering its mission by offering direct help to these locally.

Irungu—who was additionally simply named photo editor for the Workplace of the VP to the Biden-Harris Administration—hopes to broaden the unique targets of the group because it enters its third 12 months and proceed to champion Black girls within the business. She explains:

I simply need to proceed constructing this neighborhood, celebrating these works locally, serving to nurture these photographers and get them to the following stage, no matter that subsequent stage appears to be like like for them. But additionally to proceed to take up area on this business, letting individuals know what “Sure, we’re right here,” and we {photograph} portraits, we {photograph} sports activities, music, high-quality artwork, and we {photograph} something that you can imagine, like structure, actual property, outdoor, panorama, movie, all of that’s inside this neighborhood.

In honor of World Photography Day (which is in the present day!) and its second anniversary, Black Girls Photographers is internet hosting a print sale. We’ve gathered a few of our favourite photos from the gathering right here, however go to Instagram for a deeper dive into the archive.

Clara Watt

DeLovie Kwagala

Kate Sterlin

Sherie Margaret Ngigi

DeLovie Kwagala

Sandy Adams

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