Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ahkira Ware. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ahkira, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’m an all-around artist and forever a student of life and my crafts. While I consider writing to be my first love, photography has been a very interesting and important part of my artistic journey. Growing up, my mom was the family historian; we still have huge storage bins full of family photos and portraits of almost every close and extended family member. Watching her capture our beautiful moments as a family was inspiring and it has been the guiding hand for my development as a photographer. I began only working with my favorite people, trying to capture everything I think is beautiful about them through my lens, but more recently I’ve become interested on turning my lens towards the world and doing the same. I started learning the technical aspects, playing with different formats, and just staying open to experimenting, which has led to me experimenting with all of my other crafts. Photography has brought me some beautiful relationships, ideas, and growth and has made my existing ones stronger, so I’m excited to see where it takes me.

Ahkira, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Ahkira Ware and I am a writer, photographer, graphic designer, and all-around creative person. I’m in the beginning stages of sharing my creations with the world, as I just graduated from college. I’m currently building a creative company called South Lemon Lane that focuses on making safe spaces for artists to share their stories and giving back to the world that inspires us as artists. I’m excited to see the opportunities that arise as I move forward in building and the impact that my company will have on creative industries and the world. I want people to know that South Lemon Lane is based in my love of art and creating and it is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and protecting everyone’s right to create freely and openly.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is experiencing fully executed ideas. Watching your own idea come to life and seeing your expression exist outside of you is a one of a kind blessing, but seeing other people’s ideas come to life is also a beautiful experience.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Staying open to new perspectives and experiences would be the best way to support artists and creative ecosystems. Allowing every voice to be heard no matter who it comes from is important to how society moves forward. Missing out on some voices can and has cost the world a lot. Listening to women, Black people, people of color, and other marginalized folks specifically is very vital to maintaining a safe ecosystem for creativity.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southlemonlane?igsh=YzVkODRmOTdmMw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Twitter: @southlemonlane
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Giahni Bosquet Additional Photos: Ahkira Ware