As artists, connection is key. Be it with another person, the landscape or wildlife...connecting with our subject leads to stronger, more intimate images. But another kind of connection is important as well, and that is the connection and community within the photography industry. Supporting each other is key to creating a welcoming, more diverse industry. To kick off Black History Month, we want to feature Black creatives in the Sony Artisans of Imagery and Sony Alpha Imaging Collective programs who are shaping the worlds of photography and video with their inspiring work. Follow these visual storytellers on Instagram and be a part of the creative community.

We're kicking off Black History Month with a group of must-follow Black creatives in who are shaping the worlds of photo and video with their inspiring work.

Endia Beal – @endiabeal

Sony Artisan Endia Beal is an artist, speaker, curator, educator and author. Through her photography and videography she works to reveal the often overlooked experiences unique to people of color. She currently has her work in an exhibition called Corporate Disclosure at the Weatherspoon Art Museum in Greensboro, NC. In this exhibit, Beal highlights the realities and challenges faced by Black women in corporate workspaces. With equal parts empathy and biting critique, she explores how gender, race, and conventional notions of professionalism are often used—intentionally or not—against women of color. Learn more about visiting the museum HERE. Follow her on Instagram for more thoughtful posts and stories in your feed.

Tomayia Colvin, EdD – @tomayiacolvin

Tomayia Colvin, EdD is a Sony Artisan who creates educational platforms and safe spaces for Black and photographers of color. She founded Tomayia Colvin Education, an online learning platform that gives photographers of color an opportunity to gain momentum and experience in education and speaking. She also founded The Photo Cookout, the first photography conference for Black photographers. Follow her on Instagram to see more of her work and for more information on the courses she provides to help you start and grow your photography business.

Jermaine Horton – @jermainehortostudios

Sony Artisan Jermaine Horton is a Chicago-based wedding, portrait, and sports photographer. He’s also the president and founder of @theartofconfidenceproject, a photo project that empowers and restores the confidence of our youth. His passion for telling others' stories has garnered him clients throughout the country. Scrolling through his feed is inspirational, with dozens of gorgeous images from his wedding clients and beyond. 

Kesha Lambert – @keshalambert

Sony Artisan Kesha Lambert is an international wedding and portrait photographer based in New York. Her fascination with visual storytelling and love has inspired her photography career with a focus in weddings. Her images tell the story of the day through poses, light, background, composition, and more. Kesha knows how to take a special day and document it at the highest level. 

Eli Reed – @elireedmagnum

Sony Artisan Eli Reed is a photojournalist whose career has spanned over five decades. He was the first Black photographer to join the legendary photo collective Magnum Photos in 1982 and he is a Clinical Professor of Photojournalism at the University of Texas at Austin. Reed’s first two personal photography book project essays were, “Beirut, City of Regrets” and “Black in America” both published by W. W. Norton. He continues to shoot photojournalism projects all over the world. Learn more about the legendary photojournalist in the video below and see more of his work here.

Dennis Cacho – @denn_ice

Bronx-based photographer Dennis Cacho is a member of the Sony Alpha Imaging Collective. His street photography captures the raw authenticity of the moments happening in front of him, and you can see more of his galleries here. Capturing moments in black and white as well as in color, Cacho has become well-known for his strong single frames of found moments as well as his portraiture. Follow him to see what he captures on the streets of the streets of New York next. 

Gina Danza – @wildgina

Alpha Collective member Gina Danza is a photographer specializing in intimate landscapes. She gets up-close with nature, turning it into beautiful art that touches your emotions and makes you better connected. She is the top-selling Black landscape photographer and works hard to celebrate other Black artists too. Additionally, she is a TV producer/creator and creator for Discovery on Instagram. She uses motivation from her daydreams about exploring the unknown to create imaginative worlds around the outdoors. Additionally, the attention to detail, composition and cinematic tones in her nature photography continues to mesmerize those that view her photos. 

Terrence Drysdale – @tjdrysdale

Terrence Drysdale is a Florida-based professional portrait, fine art and fashion photographer and member of the Alpha Collective. He approaches photography using natural light to create ethereal images that are reminiscent of fairy tales. His creative style strives to showcase a moment frozen in time where the subject is searching for something, be it physical, spiritual, or mental. You can purchase his Lightroom Presets and Photoshop tutorials in his Digital Store. His unique photographic approach has captured the respect and appreciation of an ever-expanding international social media following. A romantic, graceful, and understated style has become the hallmark of his work, which can be seen in the image below.

Steven Irby – @stevesweatpants

Alpha Collective member Steven Irby is a street photographer based in New York City and the founder of @streetdreamsmag. He captures authentic moments around the city and posts them in black and white on his Instagram feed. The black and white provides a contrast that brings out even more of the rawness of the moment, making his work as authentic as it gets. For Irby, a common question is, “which moments are worth stopping time for?” There are many answers, of course. His work answers with unflinching fortitude, “Any moment in which the unbreakable power of the Black experience announces itself”—the worthiness of every single Black moment, no matter how mundane.” 

Dane Isaac – @dane.isaac

Dane Isaac is a New York City-based commercial, portrait and street photographer who focuses on the usage of light and storytelling. Hailing from the Isle of Spice, Grenada. A country with a fascinating history and deep culture. His upbringing has shaped his view on the world and how it is then translated through his work. The Alpha Collective member is well known for capturing strong emotions with his camera. Be it through portraits, a diptych, or another creative technique, Isaac’s work is beautiful and emotive. 

Greg Noire – @gregnoire

Greg Noire is a live music and portrait photographer. If you scroll through his Instagram account, you’ll immediately see his talent for composing and snapping a photo at just the right moment. The Alpha Collective member's incredible captures of musicians in action are unique and stand out from the rest. Follow him for more. You can also get Greg's black and white pandi pack presets here.  

Tobi Shinobi – @tobishinobi

Alpha Collective member Tobi Shinobi specializes in street and architecture photography; he is also an aspiring director. Based between Chicago and London, his love for creating and storytelling, has led to his starring in an award winning documentary, “I Take Photos” and his first solo photo book, Equilibrium, is available now. His work will also be featured through February 18 at @very.serious.gallery in Chicago. Learn more in his post below and follow him to see more of the city’s sites from interesting views.

Shauna Wade – @so.shauna

Shauna Wade is a travel, lifestyle and street photographer in New York and New Jersey. She is also the founder of @moodygrams and @moodyports. Her Instagram feed is filled with moody images from her travels and street ventures. The Alpha Collective member has an ability to turn seemingly normal scenes into an interesting photograph you’ll love to look at, like the one in her post below. Follow her for more of her work.