Linda Blacker’s latest photo series is a celebration of diversity, featuring online creators including Grace Victory, Eman Kellam, and Scola Dondo.
Linda Blacker is back with another gorgeous photoshoot. Working with 14 BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) content creators, she’s created a series of solo portraits (and a montage of all the creators involved) to celebrate diversity on YouTube. Each creator selected their own theme to celebrate about themselves, such as “creativity”, “resilience”, or “justice”, and had a prop to support that theme.
Get ready for your eyes to be blessed with beauty and self-love!
Linda has been photographing YouTubers for the past two years, and past projects have included her YouTuber Fairytale series (with shoots featuring Zoe Sugg as Sleeping Beauty and Rose Dix and Rosie Spaughton as the Queens of Spades and Hearts, among others!) and the Modern Woman – YouTuber Vintage series.
This time, the style of shoot is relatively simple, as Linda tells TenEighty: “I chose to focus on a series of bold portraits rather than anything too theatrical, which would really take away from the message behind this series. Visually, my idea was to capture a regal feel in the images, to illustrate the successes of each person involved.
“This shoot is all about the content creators involved and celebrating their successes. It was important that I captured what each creator wanted to express.”
When asked what it was like working with such a wide range of creators, Linda affirms: “It was so much fun, particularly as I was capturing images that were unique to each person, which made shooting every portrait a new experience! All the creators involved are producing such varied content, from producing documentaries to working as professional actors, that it was so interesting to work with them all on one photoshoot!”
She believes it’s important to celebrate creators of colour: “These creators are producing amazing work on and off YouTube and really creating a buzz in the online and offline world. Often, this seems to be overlooked by mainstream media/campaigns despite their huge successes and exciting work. I hoped to work with the creators to capture a series of images that celebrated their successes and who they are as content creators!”
So, what can mainstream and alternative media do to rectify underrepresentation? Linda thinks it’s the responsibility of media outlets and campaigns to showcase the diversity of platforms like YouTube: “Often they seem to focus solely on white content creators, when there is a hugely diverse range of creators on YouTube and online, all creating exciting and original content with amazing dedicated audiences.”
We chatted to some of the content creators featured in the shoot about what it was like to be in front of someone else’s camera, and their views on how to improve representation online…
Taha Khan – Justice
What does your theme mean for you?
“The theme that I chose was based around justice – it’s something that’s intrinsic to who I am as a person. I think it’s a theme that influences the thematic undertones of what I talk about online and in my videos. I feel deeply affected when I see, read, and hear about injustices to other people, and I think we, as a society, have a responsibility to those who are affected by injustices however they manifest, and to care for one another. I wanted my theme to not only highlight that but also serve as a reminder to myself that it’s the attribute that I value most in people and one that I should cultivate myself.”
What was the photoshoot like?
“The photoshoot was great! I had never really done anything like it but Linda directed me through all of it, she made sure I was happy with the photographs and it was great to work with someone who really made the whole process a lot of fun and stress-free! I learned that people have a ‘good side’, so that’s new.”
What do you think could be done to improve diversity online?
“One of the main methods in combatting this is representation – at this point, there are racially and ethnically diverse creators making vastly different content. This campaign points that out. They’re just not being considered as mainstream – you don’t see them at the events or in publications as frequently as their white counterparts, I think mainly because there are far more of them than there are non-white creators. I think things like this campaign are really going to make ripples that will do a lot for diversity in the long run.”
Any brief words of encouragement to other content creators who are POC (people of colour)?
“The only words of encouragement I feel qualified to give is advice that I got given that really helped me: You are your own person; you’re not a spokesperson of your race, ethnicity, or religion, even though it can feel that way sometimes.”
Jayde Pierce – Strength
What was the photoshoot like?
“The photoshoot was great! I was made to feel very comfortable.”
What do you think could be done to improve diversity online?
“Diversity needs to be celebrated! It’s hard to say what could be changed because the only thing that needs changing is how people think. Diversity to me means that everyone is different and everyone should have free will to be different.”
Any brief words of encouragement to other content creators who are POC?
“Just keep going! It’s hard but worth it.”
Amena – Origins
What does your theme mean for you?
“My theme represents a mixing of cultures. I’m British and my ethnic origin is Indian; I want to recognise, embrace, and celebrate this mixed heritage. A growing number of Brits have mixed cultural influence – to be proud of this is to be proud of our identity.”
What was the photoshoot like?
“The photoshoot was a breeze! Linda is so talented in her art and incredibly easy to work with. She has an eye for photography and what looks flattering for the subject. Also, that crown made me feel very royal indeed – almost walked off with it!”
What do you think could be done to improve diversity online?
“I want diversity to become a norm and not a passing trend, so to improve it is to involve people of colour in long-term relationships with brands and organisations that place us in front of the wider public. In my line of work, I believe we have an opportunity to impact the wider perception of beauty. This could even mean positively influencing how young women of colour embrace their looks and even their space in the world.”
Any brief words of encouragement to other content creators who are POC?
“Get an idea of what your long-term goals are and then you must – unapologetically and persistently – GO FOR IT!”
Eman Kellam – King
What does your theme mean for you?
“My theme represents being a king/chief. Back in my homeland my grandfather was a respected chief before his passing, which is similar to being a king of a certain area/district. It means a lot to me as I was given his full name when I was born. It also ties into my belief that as black/ethnic minority creators we can all be kings and queens in whatever we do even though we are the minority.”
What was the photoshoot like?
“The photoshoot was great. I really enjoyed working with Linda Blacker. It was very relaxed and quite fun to be a part of.”
What do you think could be done to improve diversity online?
“I think a key part of improving diversity online is treating all creators as equals on every front, from brands realising that YouTube isn’t just white middle-class vloggers to creators being nice in general to other creators who might be different to them.
“Don’t alienate people. I’ve walked into a green room at UK YouTube and industry events enough times and felt that sense of isolation like I was Chris at the garden party in Jordan Peele’s Get Out.
“There are loads more talented creators from diverse backgrounds. We just need to take a second to notice them and give them the support so that they can get out there and shine.”
Any brief words of encouragement to other content creators who are POC?
“My advice for creators from ethnic minority backgrounds is to use the fact that you are different to an advantage. Somebody somewhere might be able to relate to you and your content because you have a similar culture. Also, link up with your friends and make content. It’s better when you are having fun. Keep pushing. You are all kings and queens.”
Grace F. Victory – Vulnerability
What does your theme mean for you?
“It’s me in my rawest form. I’m such a vulnerable person and it’s taken me my entire life to be truly comfortable with that. Most people see ‘vulnerability’ as weak or as a flaw, but it’s made me so strong and I’m proud of that.”
What was the photoshoot like?
“It was super chilled and easy. I’ve worked with Linda before so she knows my angles and the best way for me to sit or pose!”
What do you think could be done to improve diversity online?
“I think there needs to be more support and opportunities across the board for POC. Brands need to start hiring more diverse people in terms of body types and ethnic backgrounds. At the moment, POC are still silenced, and that needs to change. There is no excuse for underrepresentation – it’s 2017!”
Any brief words of encouragement to other content creators who are POC?
“You are used to working extra hard, and content creating is no different. Be brave, be powerful, and be resilient – you can’t go unnoticed forever.”
Leslie Wai – Music/Creativity
What does your theme mean for you?
“For me, my theme of creativity means everything to me. It’s what I base my whole life [on]. From creating music to creating videos, everything I do stems from being creative!”
What was the photoshoot like?
“The photoshoot was cool. Very relaxed and with chill vibes!”
What do you think could be done to improve diversity online?
“I think diversity does exist online, but when it comes to being improved it’s important to showcase more ethnic groups and promoting positivity!”
Any brief words of encouragement to other content creators who are POC?
“I’m the kind of person who doesn’t see people of colour. I see everyone as a human being, but I can also acknowledge when POC are discriminated against. To those groups, I say stand up for yourself and don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do!”
Scola Dondo – Optimism
What does your theme mean for you?
“Being positive is something that’s very important to me. Having a positive outlook on life can make such a huge change.”
What was the photoshoot like?
“The photoshoot was really chill and so relaxed. Linda is great at what she does so I didn’t feel nervous at all.”
What do you think could be done to improve diversity online?
“To improve diversity online we need to keep the conversation going. The more we talk about it, the more aware everyone is so people will be actively trying to make a change.”
Any brief words of encouragement to other content creators who are POC?
“Never give up because it will be harder for you to be successful but you will make such a change.”
Lizzie Loves – Inspiration
What does your theme mean for you?
“Visibility, acceptance, and appreciation.”
What was the photoshoot like?
“Super fun and easy – Linda is such a great photographer she made me feel super comfortable. Overall a great experience, and I love connecting with creatives like herself.”
What do you think could be done to improve diversity online?
“Most people have some kind of privilege and this differs immensely depending on your socioeconomic status. Being hyper-aware of this fact as a content creator, brand, or follower could help diversify the way online content is consumed, through possibly retweeting something that connects with this issue, collaborating with different content creators, shoutouts and campaigns… I think it’s a group effort, and if we want to experience diversity online we all have to do something to change it.”
Any brief words of encouragement to other content creators who are POC?
“Keep on showing up, your efforts will not go unnoticed. Your content matters and you matter, so just keep on creating content.”
Jana Damanhouri – Creativity
What does your theme mean for you?
“My hands are painted gold in the image to represent creativity. For me, any success I’ve had on social media and in my general career has been a result of my creativity. You can be driven and hardworking, but if you don’t have the ability to bring new ideas and think outside the box, you’ll never be able to excel. Especially on YouTube and social media in general, it’s innovate or die.”
What was the photoshoot like?
“The photoshoot itself was really relaxing, quick, and chilled-out. I know Linda personally and am a huge fan of her work so I trusted her completely. She showed me the pictures as they were being taken so I could get a feel of how they would look, then we chose our favourite shots together.”
What do you think could be done to improve diversity online?
“I think diversity should be celebrated more and talked about more openly online. I also think that communities of diverse creators and viewers alike could be stronger. In order to be properly represented in the YouTube community we need to have a strong voice, and the only way to do that is to band together as creators and support each other.”
Any brief words of encouragement to other content creators who are POC?
“I know what it’s like to feel very different from everyone around you, and that burning desire to fit in with everyone in school that always looked slightly different to you. But being different as a creator means you have something to offer viewers that other creators might not, so share your story with the world, because only you know how to tell it.”
We’re in love with this photoshoot and we hope for more creators of colour to championed!
The other featured creators were Laila-Jean Washington, Percelle Ascott, Joivan Wade, Laila Loves, and Esther Areola – be sure to check them out to fill your timeline with their regality and find out what their themes were.
Want more?
Take a look at the YouTubers who transformed into characters from Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children for another of Linda’s photo series! Alternatively, check out her Modern Women series.
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