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| photo courtesy of Kia Dyson |
When it comes to film, photography and lighting - there are too many out there who can not master the deepest subtleties involved when it comes to capturing the many tones that is us.
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| photo courtesy of Kia Dyson |
So I'm always excited to come across a photographer whose work not only demonstrates an appreciation of how lighting can be embraced, but also utilizes it to capture the uniqueness that is us.
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| photo courtesy of Kia Dyson |
Kia Dyson does this. Her work elevates the nuances of Diaspora - allowing colors to work with each other and burst out to the onlooker. I caught up with Kia Dyson the last time I was in New York and have continued to follow her work since. Here is an interview with this bright new, young talent.
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| photo courtesy of Kia Dyson |
1. What made you interested in photography? Describe that moment when you "fell in love" with this discipline.
I actually got into photography randomly. My career started off as a print model and then a stylist. While working at Jazzy Studios in Baltimore, my mentor, Jeff Butler, insisted that I learn how to use the camera and shoot beside him at our sessions. From the first click, I was hooked. I left for New York a year later, purchased a camera and my career started. I knew I was in love with photography after shooting and editing my first major project on my own.
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| photo courtesy of Kia Dyson |
2. Who are your influences? (not necessarily restricted to photographers but of course including them)
Of course, my mentor Jeff is a huge influence. He taught me how to turn a love for something into a business- a business that you can still be passionate about. When it comes to hardwork, my influences are Reuben Reuel of Demestiks New York and author Jason Reynolds. These guys work very hard at what they do and their dedication to their respective crafts are contagious. As for photography and art, I'm inspired by Delphine Diallo, Kehinde Wiley, Texas Valenzuela (King Texas), Osborne Macharia, Pierre Bennu, Titus Kaphar, Tchalê Figueira, and Raymond Saunders. It's so many more but these are the people that I am studying a lot right now.
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| photo courtesy of Kia Dyson |
3. How do you see the function(s) of photography in society and how do you see yourself utilizing it? (what is the function for you?)
Photography is and has always been a tool for documenting. My goal is to document the lives of the amazing people I have the pleasure of calling friends and colleagues. From writers, to other photographers, designers and models- I want to be able to say I was there when they started and watched the evolution of their brand. I also want to help preserve black history by documenting black culture.
4. What do you see for yourself professionally in the future (dreams, manifestations)?
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| photo courtesy of Kia Dyson |
In the next 3-5 years, my goal is to have a fully functional creative design firm. I'm currently studying graphic and web design and have been doing digital art collages. I plan to turn my love of photography and design into a one stop shop for businesses and other creatives who believe in amazing web presence.
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| photo courtesy of Kia Dyson |
5. Recent moments to be stoked:
- Digital collage work, Realignment of the Stars, featured at See- Scope Miami
- Digital collage work, The American Genocide featured in Winter Tangerine's Hands Up Don't Shoot online exhibition.http://www.wintertangerine.com/hands-up-dont-shoot
- Series of photographs featuring author Jason Reynolds will be on view at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago April 6-July 12 2015-
- Portrait of author Jason Reynolds featured on www.beyonce.com
