We recently connected with Patrice Jackson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Patrice, thanks for joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

Patrice Jackson <[email protected]>

7:25 PM (0 minutes ago)

to me
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a creative in the BIPOC community is professional equality. Being a black woman photographer, I have experienced inequality in opportunities. Lack of inclusion and diversity in photography and other creative endeavors continue to have an impact. We are all different, and we need to celebrate that. I feel like I am constantly struggling to ensure that my voice is being heard through my work. This is a constant personal struggle that I face every day and something I will continue to fight. Of course, ingrained biases are challenging to unravel. Yet, there is still hope. It’s been amazing to see all these diverse artists come together and provide resources for each other and help uplift each other instead of destroying each other. We are in this together.

The next problem is smartphones, every year there is a new smartphones with better photo quality and we flock to them. We stop using the object that originally got into our field. I have to constantly remind myself to use my ACTUAL DSLR and/or analog camera. It’s so easy to have a mini camera in your pocket and do a quick edit and send that in as you work. The slow, beautiful process of photography, the art, is being wiped away with too much technology. To overcome the ease of using my phone all the time, I usually keep a compact film camera in my purse or tote bag at all times. When I reach for my phone, I realize I have my cameras for a reason. I hold on to the romantic idea of taking a photograph and not knowing what it will look like until it’s developed. It’s the most exhilarating part.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

It was a complete fluke how I got into photography. I was alway quietly so excited to see when people weren’t posing or had an agenda. I would constantly look through old family albums and run my hand against each page. As a kid I was always surrounded by cameras.

In my sophomore year of college, I took photography as an elective and fell more in love. At that time, I was going to a lot of music concerts, events or just strolling around by myself. After a while people were using my work for their websites, album covers and even asked if I wanted to go on the road with them to be a behind the scenes of whatever they were doing.

I dropped out of college my sophomore year. It felt rewarding. I’m traveling all over the place. Capturing people and culture that a lot of people think they cant experience and showing it to them.

Being a quite and somewhat shy person, I liked being a fly on the wall, observing, slithering through the cracks and crevices. My photography is to make the other person feel like they are not being objectified but to gain the trust of people in general around me. When someone lets you into their environment you need to respect it. You need to know when to take that photograph or put your camera down. I try to navigate a room without disrupting the scene. I want people that view my work to feel like all of us were there.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

It took not worrying about what people would like, it was about getting to know people and dig deeper into myself. Whether there was a conversation or just silence. Bottom line is, some people will like your work, others won’t. It’s not your service to convince them.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

My younger brother was an artist and he sadly passed away several years ago. He was a major influence in my life. His drive, his tenacity and humor—his hours each day turning out things and bringing new ideas. He shone light to things that most people wouldn’t think about. Everyday I hope he is looking down on me and is proud of the influence he still has on me.

I want the younger generation to see that it’s not that hard to be active and express yourself with any subject. It sure is rewarding when you see something you are proud of and get to see others inspired to do the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: patricesharonjackson.com
• Instagram: @patricesharonjackson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricesharon
• Twitter: @patricesharon

Image Credits
All photos taken by Patrice Sharon Jackson.