The Black Shutter Podcast

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.

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.

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 media. His client list includes The New York Times, Food & Wine, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and The James Beard Foundation.

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.

Tune in to Episode 71 where we speak with Detroit-based photojournalist, Sarahbeth Maney, about the power of empathy to build trust.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tune in to Episode 66 where we recap some of the best quotes from our guests in 2022.

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.

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.

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 images of everyone from unsung pillars of tight-knit communities to regular people fighting against powerful, faceless corporations. She wishes to amplify the voices and narratives of everyday, working-class Black people and people of color as a reminder that all our lives have a purpose, importance, and value. That you do not have to be famous to have a story worth telling.

Her photos have been featured in exhibitions all around Atlanta, including shows at the Future Dead Artists Gallery, Mint ATL, Georgia State University, and the Auburn Avenue Research Library. She has also been published in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, National Geographic, The Today Show Digital, Pro Publica, The Guardian, and Ilford Photo.

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 include Gatorade, Jordan brand, ESPN, Facebook and Vogue.

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 Adobe Lightroom creating original presets based on his color grading skill.

To be the first requires the strength to break barriers. And the obstacles along the way are what build you up. There are many unforeseen opportunities that prepare us for our future roles. But the key is to recognize the lessons hidden in challenging situations so we can actually reap the benefit. Our guest in this episode has a diverse background in portraiture, sports, and music. She has worked in photojournalism in Massachusetts. She was a staff photographer at Eastern Kentucky University. She has been the only Black photographer on staff in some situations. And now, she is the NHL’s first Black female staff photographer.

Having interests outside of photography only makes our voice more unique. Dont limit those interests, celebrate them. Those interests can shape our perception of the world, influence our craft and in many occasions, lead to our next paid gig. Our guest in this episode is a portrait and lifestyle photographer with over 20 years of experience His clients include The Golden State Warriors, Paramount, ESPN, MTV, Vh1, VICE, McDonalds, Burger King, Pepsi, and Samsung and many more that I’’ve left out for time purposes. But his interests in Chess, skateboarding and Star Trek have played a major influence in who he is as a photographer.

Tune in to Episode 57 where we speak with Chicago-based commercial and sports photographer, Marcus Smith, about breaking down his career goals into smaller steps.

When we work on large projects each person filters the phrase based on their own unique experiences. Ron Brodie understands that whether his role is to write, direct, or produce a project, it is going to go through his filter and his experiences will influence the final product. He is an independent commercial director and cultural enthusiast. His perspective is inspired by his Jamaican-American heritage and world travels. His client list includes Facebook, Spotify, Google, and Airwalk. He's worked with several television networks such as MTV, VH1, BET, ABC, and HBO. He is the Head of Creative Development at 1st Avenue Machine.

Tune in to Episode 55 where we speak with a Brooklyn-based documentary photographer Laylah Amatullah Barrayn about seeing the world from a global Black perspective. Growing up with a pan-African view of the world and believing she was part of a worldwide Black community, she used her photography to expand and explore the world's betterment.

Tune in to Episode 53, where we speak with Los Angeles-based writer, photographer, and cultural strategist, Chérmelle Edwards as she discusses the complex and diverse world of coffee as a culture.

Tune in to Episode 52 where we speak with Tampa-based fine art photographer, Sage Causie, about the importance of photographing dark skin beautifully.

Tune in to Episode 51, where we speak with Tulsa-based photojournalist Michael Noble Jr. about the necessity of developing a thick skin in the photo industry.

Tune in to Episode 50, where we speak with New York-based portrait photographer Keith Major about seeing the beauty in everyone, with or without the camera. He has photographed A-list clients for Sony, Essence, Cosmopolitan, and he has photographed celebrities Kevin Hart, Tessa Thompson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Tiffany Haddish, and Usher. In addition, he is the photo director for Ebony Magazine.

Tune in to Episode 49 where we speak with Ghanaian documentary photographer, Francis Kokoroko, about the importance of sharing photos of your community. Black photographers have documented their communities for decades. Many of these talented historians have gone unnoticed. But now technology has bridged the gap, allowing photographers to more easily share images and stories of their culture. And the world gets to appreciate that beauty. Francis keeps a visual journal of his city called Accra Photo. He does with photos what poets do with words. His photography is an honest portrayal of his home and it invites viewers in with arms wide open. He believes that sharing photographs have the potential to change lives. It gives the world access to more humanity.

Tune in to Episode 48, where we speak with Metro-Atlanta-based photojournalist and documentary photographer Alyssa Pointer about her journey away from home that leads her back to her home.

Tune in to Episode 47 where we speak with Los Angeles-based documentary and sports photographer, Joseph Louis Sherman Jr. about taking risks to gain clarity.

Tune in to Episode 45, where we speak with Chicago-based portrait, commercial and unit stills photographer, Parrish Lewis about taking leaps, betting on himself, and answering to his calling.

Tune in to Episode 44 where we speak with Los Angeles-based photographer and cinematographer, John Simmons, ASC about his upbringing in Chicago and his transition into cinematography.

Tune in to Episode 43, where we speak with Washington DC-based photojournalist and protest photographer Tony Mobley about the importance of Black photographers documenting Black history and events.

In episode 42, where we speak with Portland, OR-based photojournalist, sports, portrait, and commercial photographer, Ivan McClellan about what it means to find his tribe within the Black Rodeo culture. We discuss his personal project, 8 Seconds, and why it is so important to bring awareness to this story.

Tune in to episode 41, where we speak with Washington, DC portrait photographer, Kirth Bobb, about photographing with compassion and the magic hidden within images.

Tune in to Episode 40 where we speak with Durham, NC-based photographer, Cornell Watson, about documenting the Black experience in White spaces.

Tune in to Episode 39, where we speak with Brooklyn-based fashion, street, portrait, and commercial photographer, Russell Frederick. We discuss the importance of pursuing your craft despite opposition, paying your dues, and finding your purpose behind the camera. 

Tune in to Episode 38 where we speak with Brooklyn-based documentary, commercial and portrait photographer, Aundre Larrow. We discuss what it means to be authentic as a person and how that translates into the work that we make as photographers.

Tune in to Episode 37 where we speak with Brooklyn-based fashion, portrait, and wedding photographer Joshua Dwain. We discuss having diversity in your portfolio vs. focusing on a niche audience and the importance of work-life balance.

Tune in to Episode 36, a 2-part episode, where we speak with Chicago native photojournalist and editor, Brent Lewis. We discuss the differences between being a photographer and an editor as well as his experience working in an all-Black newsroom at ESPN’s The Undefeated. Lastly, we discuss his role at Diversify Photo and why self-accountability is so important.

Tune in to Episode 35 to hear the legendary Adger Cowans discuss his upbringing in Columbus, Ohio, assisting Gordon Parks at Life Magazine and how a trip to Brazil impacted his creativity.

In the 1950’s, photography was considered a hobby that only White people pursued. It was not a job and it was not something Black folks really considered. Cameras and film were expensive. Education was expensive. And there was rampant racism. Adger Cowans believes that the camera is a tool to do research. That belief has led him to assist Gordon Parks at Life Magazine, become the first Black union photographer in the film industry as well as becoming one of the cofounders of the Kamoinge Collective.