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Black photographers are sharing their inspirations and gifts with the public in a newly-released podcast called “Black Shutter.” The podcast, which originally launched last year just as COVID hit the United States, provides a cornucopia (VARIETY) of stories, all giving Black artists the space to share the histories behind their art and photographs.
Started by Idris Talib Solomon and Leslie Ogoe, The Black Shutter Podcast is described as “A series of conversations with Black photographers, filmmakers, editors, and creative business folks. You will hear about their work, their challenges, and their inspirations revolving around photography,” according to the podcast’s website.
Mr. Solomon is a photographer and art journalist who has provided creative content for ESPN, Amazon Prime, The New York Times, and currently has a contract with HBO. Mr. Ogoe, who produces the podcast content, is a creative consultant for entities such as ESPN, Verizon, and Nike.
Podcast highlights Black creatives from across the Diaspora
The Black Shutter Podcast has already released two dozen episodes from a variety of artists such as Lawrence Jackson, who covered his rise to White House staff photographer for the Obamas and the new Biden-Harris administration, to the photographers and artists who captured Black Lives Matters protests this summer.
The podcast also features moments of reflection from the Black creative community, such as Mr. Michael A. McCoy, a Veteran with PTSD who photographs military members, capturing their lives while simultaneously providing him support for his own experiences. According to artist Jamel Shabazz, Mr. McCoy, who was featured in Time Magazine’s 12 African-American Photographers You Should Follow Right Now, “is dedicated to helping veterans like himself battle PTSD using photography as a platform for both creativity and inter-communication.”
Another featured photographer is Nicky Quamina-Woo, a multiracial artist who captures photojournalism across the African continent, and offers information on photographing subjects from other cultures. Ms. Quamino-Woo, who studied photography psychology during her undergraduate years, focuses on intersectional stories. For example, she highlighted how families in Tanzania integrate western medicine with traditional healing practices.
“Any Black person with a camera has a Black shutter, because you document the world the way that you see it based on your lived experiences,” stated Mr. Solomon. To that end, the Black Shutter Podcast welcomes all Black artists who have a vision, across all levels of experience. Follow the Black Shutter Podcast on Instagram @blackshutterpodcast and listen to it on any podcast platform.