10
Black Queens Behind the
Camera We Love
“Black female photographers are underrated.”
Damn straight, they are. So here is a list of Black queens behind the camera we honor, admire, and want you to show some love to.
(in no particular order, of course).
1
LARETTA HOUSTON
Location LOS ANGELES & ATLANTA
Specialties CAMPAIGNS, EDITORIALS, LOOKBOOKS
Laretta Houston is a world-renowned fashion and beauty photographer who has shot iconic campaigns, editorials, and look books for some of the biggest names in the industry. In her portfolio are supermodels like Tyra Banks, Winnie Harlow, and Kelsey Merritt, along with some of the biggest names in fashion publication like Sports Illustrated. Houston’s eye for beauty, detail, and texture has gained notoriety among fashion’s innermost circles.
2
DANESSA MYRICKS
Location NYC
Specialties PHOTOGRAPHY, EDUCATION, MAKEUP
Danessa Myricks is that rare discovery in the fashion industry today; she’s a makeup artist and photographer rolled into one. Myrick’s emphasis on global beauty education and product development truly sets her apart from the pack, and you can attend her online university to learn strategies for shade matching, makeup sculpting, texturing, and much more. She is the CEO of her own brand and focuses on dimensional skincare for women of color, in addition to taking gorgeous portraits and editorial sets of her own work.
3
TIARA MA’REI
Location ATLANTA
Specialties CREATIVE DIRECTION, PHOTO + VIDEO, SET DESIGN
Tiara Ma’rei is a true “hybrid” artist and lover of her craft. She’s represented by The Toy Box Creative, and has a knack for directing and set design. As an art director she recently did her first production design job for a short film, which is already gaining traction and winning awards in the industry. As if that wasn’t enough, Ma’rei is a skilled photographer and in 2018, shot one of our Spring issue covers.
4
ADRIENNE RAQUEL
Location NYC
Specialties FASHION, BEAUTY, ENTERTAINMENT
Adrienne Raquel is a known artist and photographer represented by Lens media agency in New York. Her incredible fashion editorials can be seen in high-end publications like Paper Magazine, Playboy, and Harper’s Bazaar, and she’s worked with some of Hollywood’s finest stars like Lizzo and Meg The Stallion. Raquel’s dreamy and powerful aesthetic is matched only by the gorgeous talent she paints images of on camera, and her work is only getting better over time.
5
JOYANNE PANTON
Location LOS ANGELES
Specialties CREATIVE DIRECTION, PHOTO + VIDEO, EDUCATION
Joyanne Panton is an international creative director, videographer, teacher, speaker, and author best known for her gorgeous fashion editorials and beauty portraits. Panton has worked with some of the industry’s best and brightest like Normani, Blac Chyna, and many others, and has published sets in magazines like Essence and Harper’s Bazaar. Panton’s attention to detail and over the top stunning editorial shoots have gained her a reputation as a female photographer to look out for.
6
EXQUISITE EYE / BREE
Location LOS ANGELES
Specialties PHOTOGRAPHY, CONTENT CREATION
Bree is the owner of Exquisite Eye Studios and her aesthetic can only be described as dreamy and other-worldly. Her unique use of light and her knack for showcasing models via Polaroid have gained her notoriety online, and as an artist she tends to paint pictures through her lens in a way that only she can. Bree has gained popularity for her hit “shoot and sip” classes in LA, where she encourages other artists to grab a glass of wine and mingle.
7
IDA JOHN
Location ATLANTA
Specialties FASHION, BEAUTY, LANDSCAPE
Ida John is another artist and Atlanta native that the city has come to love and cherish. Her work is soft, strong, and showcases beauty portraiture at its finest. John has worked with top modeling agencies in Atlanta and continues to create fine art and high fashion editorials for publication and web campaigns. One of her most famous sets, featuring online star Acacia McBride for Disrupshion Magazine, has garnered attention online for its artistry and composition.
8
KRIS LOU
Location LOS ANGELES
Specialties FASHION, BEAUTY, SWIM
Kris Lou is an global photographer who has worked with some of the biggest agencies in the industry like IMG Models and Select Model Management LA. Her gorgeous beauty and editorial sets have featured some of fashion’s largest names today like Meredith Mickelson and Sydney Harper, and she continues to stun with her glamorous shots and oftentimes tropical locations. Lou’s ethereal and clean style of photography has won her acclaim across the industry as an artist and creator.
9
LESLIE ANDREWS
Location ATLANTA
Specialties FASHION, BEAUTY, EDITORIAL
Leslie Andrews is an Atlanta based fashion and beauty photographer with a knack for showcasing the city’s brightest upcoming talent. Her stunning portraits have been featured in the likes of publications like Lucy’s, Ellements, and even on the front cover of the iconic Billboard Magazine. Andrew’s versatility and eye for beauty traverses a wide range of hair campaigns, beauty editorials, and cover shoots, and has gained her a reputation as a go-to female photographer in Atlanta today.
10
FLO NGALA
Location NYC
Specialties PHOTOJOURNALISM, PUBLIC SPEAKING, CREATIVE DIRECTION
Flo Ngala is a photographer, creative consultant, and public speaker represented by Abovo Management. Her work has been featured in the likes of Billboard Magazine, Rolling Stone, and Vogue, and a major accomplishment that Ngala is known for was her 2018 coverage of Cardi B’s first MET Gala for a Vogue Getting Ready recap piece. Ngala has gained traction as an artist and activist in the industry, and shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
