Only brave people have the courage to share their vulnerable side. When we reveal this part of ourselves, it invites others to take down their walls. It builds connection and understanding.
It is my goal to create portraits of Black women that celebrate and represent strength, vulnerability, and dignity. Alongside or integrated into the portraits, words of wisdom from the women I photograph. A snippet of a personal story or their perspective of the state of things with #BLM. Ultimately I hope to continue the dialogue. Providing a platform to be seen & heard.
More info: shawnaleestudios.com | Facebook | Instagram
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Tee
Quote: “It is definitely scary to be Black in America right now, you're scared for your little brothers, you're scared for your sisters, you're scared for just yourself walking alone at night because racism is so open. Racists are comfortable saying what they want to now.” Decontee Peters
Cece
Taylor is on the journey of becoming her more authentic self. A path she has been on since her youth. If she had anything to tell her younger self it would be to take more risks and express who she is more fully. here is her story: https://shawnaleestudios.com/cece-t
Jocelyn
“My hopes? I don’t hope, I believe. I believe this new civil rights era, that is just in its infancy, will result in a full and rigorous life-cycle audit of America’s political, social, and economic structures and histories. I believe that we will completely rebuild and transform this country. And fear? I try not to invite fear into my life anymore.” -Jocelyn Rice Go here for her full story: https://shawnaleestudios.com/jocelyn
Janiece
“I just hope that the message doesn't get buried.” Gaston adds, “I hope it's just not a trend for the people who are doing it, for likes or wanting to go viral, because that's what a lot of people's goals are. No, this is a real issue and now everyone is having those uncomfortable conversations.” -Janeice Gaston. Go here to see her full story: https://shawnaleestudios.com/janeice
Roselyn
“Being a woman, being a Black woman is one of the most challenging things to be. It's challenging because the first thing people see is your color, your ethnicity and then they see your gender. It’s never ‘this woman’, it’s never this point where they say ‘oh there's this woman over there’, it's always ‘this Black woman’.” -Roselyn Hupp Full Story & images: https://shawnaleestudios.com/roseland
Elsya
“I guess what I'm proud of with the movement is the massive amount of people that it brought out, the conversations that are allowing voices and feelings and emotions to be heard and respected.” -Elsya Watkins ->Full story & pictures here: https://shawnaleestudios.com/elsya-w
Rasheeda
“I find myself having to be extra nice to white people, men and women. It's a thing where there is this preconceived notion that we, Black women, are just mean." -Rasheeda Webber ->Full story & pictures here: https://shawnaleestudios.com/rasheeda-w
Thank you! You should check out their stories too!
All the beautiful women and pictures stunning! Thank you for sharing your talent with us!
Thank you. Check out their stories: https://shawnaleestudios.com/beseenbeheard
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All the beautiful women and pictures stunning! Thank you for sharing your talent with us!
Thank you. Check out their stories: https://shawnaleestudios.com/beseenbeheard
Load More Replies...