The origins of Fashion photography predate as early as the 1800s and have since continued to take on new forms. Recently, there has been discourse about Ai imagery and the Black image, with many images emulating the work of Black photographers. However, only those artists can create work with true substance. Black photographers, especially in the fashion industry, have long not been utilized as much or even highlighted and celebrated in fashion. While their own communities uplift them, it’s important that the industry does as well for more doors to open for other Black photographers.
We wanted to bring to the forefront the tastemakers behind the camera. These Black photographers should be on your radar when you see groundbreaking magazine covers and fashion week street-style photos.
Take a look below at the Black photographers that you should be following.
Darrel Hunter
One of our favorites, Darrel Hunter is responsible for ESSENCE‘s street style fashion week photos. Photography became a growing love for Hunter at a very young age, and seeing his father with a camera in hand sparked interest from the jump. The London-based photographer has had photos featured with ESSENCE, Teen Vogue, Harpar’s Bazaar, and more.
Shaniqwa Jarvis
Shaniqwa Jarvis is a New York-based photographer that has traveled the world with brands to capture campaigns. She’s built quite the name for herself even beyond fashion, like photographing President Barak Obama. She’s also had a few exhibitions that have drawn eyes from all around the world to see the moments she captures.
Micaiah Carter
Micaiah Carter is a bi-coastal-based photographer and director in New York and Los Angeles. Carter has been able to capture moments that have gained him much success with his use of color and light. He’s also worked in film and has work featured across many channels like GQ, Thom Browne, Vogue, Nike, and many more.
Dana Scruggs
Dana Scruggs is a Chicago-born and New York-based photographer and director that has paved her own way. She even launched her own art publication dedicated to the male form called SCRUGGS MAGAZINE. She’s the first Black female photographer to shoot an athlete for ESPN’s Body Issue and the first Black photographer to shoot for Rolling Stone.
Kennedi Carter
As you can see, we love the eye of Kennedi Carter, who recently shot ESSENCE‘s March/April cover. Based in Durham, North Carolina, Carter has accomplished so much at such a young age. Carter was the youngest person to shoot a Vogue cover, and it was of Beyoncé! Since then, she’s been in a place where she only takes on projects that spark something in her and that she’s passionate about. Her portfolio is filled with large publications and celebrities, but her humility has kept her work so pure and clearly full of love.
Campbell Addy
London-based photographer Campbell Addy stumbled upon photography in high school. He hadn’t considered it until photography books actually fell on his head, and from then on, he went to Central Saint Martins for Art and Design. His work is featured in i-D, Vogue, Rolling Stone, and more.
Myles Loftin
Myles Loftin is a young artist and photographer that has garnered attention from the fashion industry. He’s been named part of the New Black Vanguard of fashion photographers, but his work also goes beyond the fashion industry. Loftin has contributed to exhibitions that highlight the Black queer community and makes it a point to make that community visible and heard.
AB+DM
Photographer duo Ahmad Barber and Donté Maurice came together to form their team in 2018. They merged their visions, and as many know, a team can create some of the most beautiful imagery. Both are now Creative and Art Directors of Black Fashion Fair and have shot the iconic cover of Joan Smalls. Their work has been featured on GQ, InStyle, and more.
Quil Lemons
Quil Lemons is a New York-based photographer that is also a New Guard of fashion photographers. Quil’s main work is to challenge masculinity and how it intersects with both queerness and Blackness. He’s the youngest photographer to shoot a cover for Vanity Fair and has work featured in Vogue, Variety, and the New York Times.
Adrienne Raquel
Texas-born and New York/LA-based image maker and director Adrienne Raquel’s work is based on feminity. Her use of color and soulfulness highlights her affinity for nostalgia. Raquel’s solo exhibition Onyx explored the “artistic balance of exotic dancing, athleticism, and sisterhood at one of Houston, Texas’s most famous clubs.” Her work has been featured in V Magazine, GQ, Vanity Fair, and more.