Today we’d like to introduce you to Ikyo Bailey.

Hi Ikyo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

My journey as a photographer started as a fan. I wasn’t necessarily into photography as an art however the images that some photographers created on Instagram were awe-inspiring!
I started as a page that would repost and reshare the images to a larger audience. It wasn’t until covid that I decided to get a camera and do it myself.
Days before my starter camera arrived, I had already begun to tell people and ask them to let me capture and practice on them. By the time my camera shipped. I was already set for the next 2 months straight with shoots of friends and neighbors. That process continued for almost 6 months, leading me into an internship, meeting models, other photographers, and getting my own studio, getting published, and gaining popularity all with in the first year of holding a camera. My life changed forever because of this art!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Like any artist, the greatest struggle is the balance between the desire to make art and the necessity of money. As much as I or anyone else would love to simply create freely and openly, money is needed to not only live, but create art at the highest of levels. Studio time, equipment, teams, talent, and all of the other smaller purchases that fit into the world of art. Learning to generate an income from your art, and become a business was my greatest challenge as a photographer!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I am a photographer. I specialize in capturing an empowering energy in people of color, especially black women. Its hard to say personally what I am known for since I hear so many different answers when I ask fans of my work. I personally feel that I am known for using clear backgrounds that are controlled by lighting rather than an eye catching set. I spend a lot of time mastering the separation of lights between my subject a d the environment they are in. Creating this glow almost, that puts them above or infront of everything else. I am very proud of the progress that I have made in my ability to light a subject and speak through my work.
As far as what sets me apart from others, I would say consistency. I have put my life in a position where photography and art are at the center. Allowing me to shoot many more times in a month than most people and to this day having never gon longer than a week without posting new content at a high level. I am constantly learning and improving as a photographer and a business man.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?

I am based in New York and New Jersey so I am open to collaborations if they reach out via email or Instagram directly. I can’t promise that I will accept all collaborations since I am just 1 man, however I will make time for good ideas.
Support is a follow and a like, that goes a long way! Tell people that you like my work or even just commenting. Support comes in many different forms and it is often the smaller gestures that make a great impact!

Pricing:

• Headshots – $50
• Digitals / Comp cards – $50 / $75
• Events – $150 /hr
• In Studio (2-3hrs) – $650
• On location (2-3hrs) – $350

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.coloredshotphotography.com
• Instagram: https://Www.Instagram.com/coloredshot

Image Credits

MUA – Madonna @madonnamua
Model – Chelsea-Starr @chelseastarrj
Model – Danielle @_danielle.faith
Model – Faith @bb.faith
Model – Tiara @tiaraalysse
Model – Sadé @_svde
Model – Stacy @drip_goddesss
Photographer – Ikyo Bailey @coloredshot