resources for BIPOC photographers
I put together a list of a few resources that have been super helpful for me personally and organizations that are offering services and information to help BIPOC photographers succeed. I hope this is helpful!
aPhotoEditor: This page is a gem. Their Instagram shares physical mailers that people send out to art directors, agencies, magazines etc. so you can get ideas on what to send your future clients. Their website has a ton of interviews with photographers, resources for getting your mailers printed, lists of reps to reach out to, and more!
Amy V. Cooper: Amy is a photographer turned rep turned photography consultant. She provides tons of tips on her website and covers all aspects of photography.
Ask Stern Rep: Andrea Stern is a photography rep who answers your questions! Her IG page is full of easy-to-digest Q&As, she hosts interviews, has a great Facebook page, and more!
QuickBooks & YNAB: Get your finances in order! Track your spending and categorize what you spend on your business. You’ll be so happy and organized come tax time and you may even be able to pay less in taxes. YNAB has been SUPER helpful for me in terms of keeping track of where my money goes and how much I’m spending. Before I would have money and then it would be gone and I would have no idea where it went or how much I could spend on things without going into debt (I know a lot of you feel me on this). There’s definitely a learning curve but they have tons of resources on their blog and their CX is super helpful. If you need help ask me I’m happy to help! (I am not sponsored by either of these places FYI I just really like them!)
apostrophereps: Apostrophereps is offering a mentorship: “a free, long-term program designed to amplify the voices of emerging Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color photographers by teaching the business of photography with the aim to increase diversity within the commercial photo and motion communities.”
It’s Nice That: This website is a great resource for creatives. They recently created a Google Sheets document featuring 1000 Black photographers. So check it out and support Black photographers!
Models For Change Now: Is an initiative and collective group of over 200 BLACK models and fashion industry professionals who have come together to address the systemic racism within the fashion industry.
Authority Collective: A website whose goal is to “remove barriers to access for BIPOC entering editorial, journalism, documentary, commercial and fine art careers. The Authority Collective connects our community members with jobs, mentorship, networking and professional development resources.”
Diversify Photo: An amazing website for Black photographers who can apply to be included in their #HireBlackPhotographers database. This is also a great resource for people to find Black photographers to support and hire.
Photo Bill of Rights: This document includes proposals to ensure the protection of BIPOC, “the working class; women, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people; people with disabilities; and LGBTQIA+ people” who work in the photography industry. Sign the document to support “to build a safer, healthier, more inclusive, and transparent industry.”
Hire Black Female Creatives: The name says it all. This is an amazing resource to find female creatives to hire from a variety of careers including hair stylists, videographers/directors, UX/UI designers.
Color Positive: An amazing website showcasing the amazing work of Black photographers, directors, and stylists. The creatives featured here have worked with Beyoncé, Micheal B. Jordan, and Tessa Thompson to name a few.
Natives Photograph: Their “mission is to support the media industry in hiring more Indigenous photographers to tell the stories of their communities and to reflect on how we tell these stories”
Women Photograph: Women Photograph has a database specifically for Women Photographers of Color. This is an amazing resource to support or hire WPOC.
Rememory Directory: A directory dedicated to Black women creatives. This is a great place for Black women creatives to both find community with other creatives and have a place to present your work.
Aperture: The Aperture “Artist Resources” tab is filled with information for photographers including “Support During COVID-19”, “Grants and Support”, and “Online Self-Publishing Platforms”
Fundraiser for Free Film Developing for BIPOC Photographers: This one’s still in the works but this is a great way to support BIPOC Photographers. Donate to the GoFundMe to help fund free developing services for BIPOC Photographers.
I hope some of these are helpful. I will come back to this list and add more as I think of them or find new resources. Feel free to reach out with any questions about photography, I’m always happy to help!
Stay safe loves!