We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daniella Almona. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daniella below.
Daniella, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Any thoughts around creating more inclusive workplaces?
Realizing I wanted to be a full-time artist and exist to create was a turning point in my career. For one, I did not know a lot of people who were pursuing the arts at the time, I wasn’t even interested prior to picking up a camera. I decided to look up photographers and their work, and watch documentaries but as much as I got inspiration from these I was equally discouraged because none of these photographers looked like me- black and female. I often see comments about why it is important to note your identity and people getting enraged by the term ‘black female photographers’ or anything along those lines. The importance of groups like Black Women Photographers or The Luupe that provide platforms specifically for women in this industry is that it is a step towards creating a more inclusive workplace. Highlighting women and non-binary individuals in photography is immensely important because we have stories to share, voices that need to be heard and a platform to be seen.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Hi! My name is Daniella Almona and I am a film and digital photographer born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. I am currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. As a black woman, my portrait work highlights blackness in all forms and I only hope to give the people I photograph an opportunity to be their unapologetic selves. I am a member of Black Women Photographers, The Luupe, and an UpNext Photographer for Diversify Photo. The work I create is an ode to a younger me who wished to see more black and brown bodies take up space and be positively represented in media, especially through the black gaze.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
It feels super affirming when people tell me how well I captured their essence and personality in a portrait. Portrait photography is so much more than clicking a button and taking a headshot. You are telling a story about a person and there is a level of trust every client/model has in the photographer to highlight the best parts of them. I love making people feel good and confident in their skin! It is also really rewarding to be able to work with other young artists in the industry and make those necessary connections and just create really beautiful art together.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Constantly putting myself out there! As a creative in this industry, online presence is so important. This has nothing to do with following or like counts but simply putting your work out there for people to see, especially work you would like to get hired for. I also make sure I am following people with a similar art practice because building these connections is what puts your name in rooms. It also doesn’t stop at social media. Setting up and updating your portfolio website, signing up for portfolio reviews to meet editors, and attending artist shows and meet-ups are a few ways I have tried to build my reputation in the last two years and I am still doing these. I think it’s also important to note that personality and impressions are everything. I try to give people a positive experience on set and that way I get referrals by word of mouth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.daniellaalmona.com/
- Instagram: @daniellaalmona
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/almonadaniella/
- Other: Pinterest: @almonadaniella
Image Credits
Headshot: Xavier Thompson (@the.tylerx on Instagram)