The photography industry across the world is moving at a relatively high-speed just like the shutters in their cameras.
With technology and social media playing an important role in the industry, black photographers and creatives are taking their fate into their own hands by creating very diverse stories with their camera and making memories for a lifetime.
Despite, the adverse effects of Covid-19, racial injustice, lack of proper representation in global media, black photographers in the industry have no plans of quitting anytime soon.
As a publication that creates for a Black audience and supports black voices, we will continuously highlight the work of kilt and kin who are doing amazingly well in their fields.
Here are 35 Black photographers who deserve your follow, coins and admiration.
Check them out.
James Barnor
The “Godfather” of Ghanaian photograph, James Barnor was born in 1929 in Accra. He is widely acknowledged as the first photographer of Ghanaian origin and worked as the Daily Graphic’s first photojournalist as well as the erstwhile Drum Magazine.
Nana Kofi Acquah
Known as the Africa Show boy, photojournalist, activist, firebrand social commentator and these days pastor at the Accra Community Church is another Ghanaian whose images has shaped the photography industry in Ghana and Africa. Nana discovered photography when he worked in an advertising agency.
Trevor Stuurman
South African photographer is a multi-faced creative wearing several hats as a blogger, stylist, art director and a never-ending list. The Kimberly-born Trevor has successfully claimed his name to fame in the very competitive South Africa industry and on the continent.
A style aficionado, the Elle style reporter creates captivating images by reflecting on the things that reminds him of home, colour and love.
Currently, Africa’s number 1 photographer, CNN Africa describes him as a “Cultural Force” as he continues to work with the likes of Beyonce, Teyana Taylor, Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner, Jidenna, Imam Hammam, Gigi and Bella Hadid.
GQ Style, Marie Claire, British Vogue, Afro Punk are some of the publications he’s worked with.
“Being African is my superpwer,” says the 28-year-old.
T.Y Bello
Toyin Sokefun Bello a.k.a. T.Y Bello first picked the camera in 2000 in an industry that was yet to find its foot in Africa and has not looked back since.
The Cannon brand ambassador who is also a mother of twins, singer, songwriter, and philanthropist has shot every big name in Nigeria and high profile individuals across the world. She is the queen of portraits in her home country of Nigeria.
Kelechi Amadiobi
Described as one of Nigeria’s groundbreaking celebrity photographers who has “helped put Nigerian photography on the world map, Kelechi Amadi-Obi is one of Africa’s biggest photography export.
The Nigerian creative photographer, painter, artist and the publisher of Mania Magazine has been featured in many international exhibitions such as Snap Judgment: New Position in contemporary African Photography, International centre of photography New York.
The fashion bible Vogue pay tribute to him as “a major force in the creative scene in Nigeria.”
Bob Pixel
Accra-based, Emmanuel Bobbie popularly known as Bob Pixel is a household name in Ghanaian photography having mentored a number of young photographers in the industry. He works cover national life, culture, industry, celebrity, fashion and documentary.
Lakin Ogunbawo
Joshua Kissi
The Ghanaian-American blogger, photographer and artist started out 10 years ago with a creative agency he co-founded, Street Etiquette, which contains a strong trait for storytelling, branding, and marketing through visuals on the web.
These days he is a co-founder of TONL, a stock photography company dedicated to capturing images of people of colour and reconstructing the black narrative and @seeinblackproject.
He’s been featured in Vogue, Nataal, Essence and other iconic publications.
Mel Arthur
Mel Arthur comes to the field of photography with a degree in Film/Communication design from KNUST and a passion to transform the black forms into classic pieces of art.
Danny Wonders
Creative director and Photographer, Danny Owusu found his way into photography and directing after failing at a series of 9-5 jobs. His real passion photography is making an impact in the lives of black people all over the world.
Wonders’ acclaimed exhibition, ‘This Is Ghana’ during the Year of Return explored roots, life as a Diasporan and a call to move back to motherland.
“My goal is to spread awareness of our power, our wealth, our culture and the true opportunities we hold in Ghana and in Africa,” he said of the Exhibition
Danny Wonders has worked with A-listers including the likes of Migos, Burna Boy,French Montana, Chris Brown and Davido.
He is based in East London in the United Kingdom.
Emmanuel Oyeleke
C.E.O of Emmanuel Oyeleke Photography, the award-winning Emmanuel Oyele is a top-notch Nigerian visual artist, Portraitist and techie. His photography centres around fashion, potraiture and art.
Hélène Amouzou
Togolese national, Hélène Amouzou who currently lives in Brussels has made a name for herself with her haunting self-portrait which is also very distinctive.
“Self-portraiture is a way of writing without words,” Amozou who works mainly with film says. “My aim is to reveal the deepest parts of myself.”
In 2004 she enrolled at the Academy of Drawing and Visual Arts in the city’s Molenbeek-Saint-Jean neighbourhood, where she studied video and photography.
Yaw Pare
Most Ghanaians both home and abroad live vicariously off Yaw Pare’s images of the motherland. A self-taught photographer, Yaw Pare travels across Ghana highlighting its hidden tourist treasures and magical destinations.
Lexon Art
Vogue published Wedding and Fine Arts photographer, Adrian McDonald creates an experience for the viewer that changes them in a special way.
Traversing through his home in Jamaica, Adrian’s portfolio focuses on array of issues affecting societyand philosophy.
Josef Adamu
Josef Adamu is a Creative Director, Consultant, and Entrepreneur born and raised in Toronto, though now based in New York. In 2017, he founded a brand agency named Sunday School that caters to the development of creative campaigns and social media management for various brands.
Mick Jenkins Jazz Cartier, Facebook, Nike, Teen Vogue, Shea Moisture, Universal Music, and i-D Magazine have all had to use the creative expertise of Adamu in their projects.
Gilbert Asante
Gilbert Asante is an Award-winning fashion & commercial photographer based in Ghana.
When he was 19 years old Gilbert ventured into photography during his time as an international student in Japan and has not looked back since.
Honing his craft in Graphic Design and web, Gilbert has used these skills to propel his photography career into a higher level.
A few of his collaborations include Nestle, Vodaphone, Guiness, Max international, Glitz Africa, Canoe Magazine, and several A list celebrities.
Gilbert is highly involved in the creative direction of all aspects from planning to execution.
With his keen attention to detail and team of brilliant creatives, he is able to produce exceptional imagery with unexpected dramatic elements.
Asante heads Laceup Media Ltd. a full force production house in Accra
Francis Atsuvi
Shanghai-based, Ghanaian creative photographer, Francis Atsuvi has constantly placed his lens on the sculpted body of African women and portraying their definition of beauty in positive terms.
Amarachi Nwosu
Amarachi Nwosu is a Nigerian-American self-taught photographer, filmmaker, writer and speaker.
She is also the founder of Melanin Unscripted, a platform aimed to dismantle stereotypes and blur the racial lines by exposing complex identities and cultures around the world.
Amarachi is based in New York but gained popularity in Tokyo, Japan for her revolutionary documentary, ‘Black in Tokyo’ on race in the conservative nation and it premiered at the International Center of Photography at the ICP Museum.
Flo Ngala
Flo Ngala (b. 1995) is a New York-based photographer with a passion for authentic image-making and photojournalism.
With roots in West Africa, and a love for culture and creativity birthed at a young age, since picking up a camera she’s continued to pursue powerful light and powerful moments with people around the world.
Carlos Idun
Ghanaian photographer and Engineer, Carlos Idun is a fast-rising photographer whose cameras are capturing the fresh and exciting acts from Africa.
Lead at Lighting Pathways, the Engineer has worked with Teen Vogue, Kodd Magazine, Glamour South Africa and Vanity Teen.
Tayo Jr
Born in 1994, Nigerian American photographer, Tayo Kuku jr. lives in Washington D.C.
According to Tayo, his work aims to consistently bridge the abyss of passion and purpose.
Forbes, BET, The New Yorker,
Ebony, Afropunk, One tribe magazine are on the list of ever-growing publications that have featured his work.
Ofure Ighalo
Ofure shoots portraits, concerts, fashion & everything in between, gaining popularity for his very rich shots and compositions.
Tope Horpload
Tope Adenola is a portrait & lifestyle Photographer based in Nigeria’s fashion/commercial capital of Lagos and head boy at Horpload Works Photography.
His versatility, creative drive, and style preceds him as one of the most sought-after youth photographers in Nigeria.
Adenola has earned multiple recognitions including the TES2016 Entrepreneurship Award, and the Legacy TV Ingenious Photographer Award (2017).
In addition to these, his photographs have been published in prestigious editorial magazines including Complete Fashion, Genevieve Magazine, Wow Magazine and Guardian Life.
Focus N Blur
The power of his images and the in-depth yet fun way of telling stories has made Focus N Blur’s PK a favourite amongst wedding magazine and digital platforms.
Vine Imagery
Vine Imagery founder, Qwasi Asephua’s work as a fashion and runway photographer covers an array of topics including identity, sexuality, feminism, mental health, beauty, and art; often spearheading conversations around topics that people find to be controversial
Vogue Italia, Elle South Africa, Afropunk, Glitz Africa, Kodd Magazine, Trendy Prive have all published his excellent work.
Kof Motivaton
L.A-based Kofi begun experimenting with his creativity in Ghana at the prestigious Prempeh College, where he studied Graphic Design.
In 2012, he moved to the U.S to continue his education in Art and Design.
A dominating figure in the fashion Photography business, his disruptive and unapologetic photography has captured big names including black stars such as Ebonee Davis, Winnie Harlow, Davido and more.
Prince Gyesi
Gyasi who identifies as a visual artist rather than a photographer shoots with his iPhone and edits with VSCO applications plus other presets.
In 2018, Nil Gallery Paris signed him unto their gallery allowing him to exhibit his pieces across the USA.
Alex Tackie
Alex Tackie has taken an avid interest in Travel and Wildlife photography capturing the scenic nature of Africa and other continents.
Senyuiedzorm Awusi Adadevoh
A sports photography virtuoso, Awusi Adadevoh is the one of the vibrant females and a force to reckon with in this field.
Senyuiedzorm’s work as a photojournalist in football has put her at the forefront of the action and news worldwide including three FIFA World Cup tournaments, six African Cup of Nations, an Olympic tournament and many others.
Acupofmikey
Michael Oshai is a fast-rising Nigerian-American photographer living in Lagos. His body of work is gaining acceptance in the fashion community both at home and abroad.
Oye Diran
Contemporary Photographer, Oye Diran started photographer a decade ago after working in event production and graduating with a business degree.
He mastered the art of photography without a tutor.
CNN describes his style as a “minimalist yet warm aesthetic”, influenced by West African photographers J.D. Okhai Ojeikere, Malick Sidibé and Seydou Keïta
Stephen Tayo
Stephen Tayo is a stylist and street style photographer from Nigeria who lives, works and draws inspiration from the city of Lagos.
Originally from Ikere-Ekiti State, Tayo has developed a penchant for telling ground-breaking fashion stories.
Micheal Aboyaa
Award-winning Ghanaian Photographer, Micheal Aboyaa inspired by the love he feels for his country to create his powerful portraits.
Aboya at age 19 dropped out of University as a software design major and pursued his love for photography.
Six years down the line, its paid off hugely as his won several awards and prizes including a $25,000 for his winning image for the Agora Awards 2019.
Opeimu
Twitter darling boy, Opeimu gets to blend fashion, art and lifestyle in his work and is the real definition of Black excellence.
Ben Bond
Ben Bond Obiri Asamoah (OAB Photography) is a Ghanaian based photographer who specializes in Portrait, Fashion and Commercial photography. His high sense of art makes him see photography as a painting skill which he uses his camera and lights to paint photos.
