We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kenya Meon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kenya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I believe that I knew from a relatively young age that I wanted to be a creator. Although there wasn’t much, if any, artistic influence around me, I can remember having an immense appreciation for the small everyday details around me as a child. Whether it was the way light traveled about a particular room throughout the day, flora from my grandmother’s garden, or textures found within my surroundings in rural Georgia, I found comfort and interest in their beauty.

During my teens and early 20s, I studied the art of intimately composed photographs through collections of fashion, travel, and lifestyle magazines. Although photography wasn’t my initial career path it brought me a sense of reassurance whenever looking back at the imagery that I was able to capture just through spending time being present. This time period in my life wasn’t the easiest as I was coming to terms with a lot of emotional trauma so it became especially dire for me to find moments that were uplifting as well as grounding.

By the time I really started to explore the different facets of professional photography things serendipitously started aligning themselves to where they needed me to be. Several of the initial clients that I was creating content for held values similar to mine such as wellness, sustainability, and curating a lifestyle with minimal impact on the environment. Even though their individual needs were different, they each saw something in my work that could aid them in communicating the vision of their brand. This was all the confirmation I needed to know that my photographs, as simplistic as they can be, could help in the professional growth of small businesses and other creators like myself.

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

I’m Kenya Meon; an Atlanta-based product and lifestyle photographer with a keen eye for capturing the expressions of everyday life. Although I was never formally trained in photography, I’ve always had a knack for thoughtful composition. My adoration for aesthetics was developed from a fondness of fashion magazines and coffee table books as a teen. While in college studying fashion marketing I learned the significance of carefully curated imagery in terms of goods and products. It was quickly understood that visual representation could make or break a brand. I found an issue with this notion as I noticed the result of this was often businesses feeling the need to compromise authenticity in order to sell a fantasy instead of giving consumers something more tangibly tailored to their real lives.

When I made the decision to pursue photography beyond just a hobby, I set the intention to only create with and what resonated with my values. I knew that I wanted to curate images that were reminiscent of everyday life as much as possible, but my background in an industry that could be superficial at times presented a constant internal battle for me. However, by staying true to the root of my craft, I attracted the attention of a few brands just starting out as well whose principles happened to align with mine. The magic ensued. Today, I’m beyond proud of my contributions in photography, creative direction, styling, and brand management for several small business owners and fellow creatives who’ve dedicated themselves to producing practical products and services steeped in purpose with minimal impact on our environment. Working in fellowship with artisans and makers with a mission to define their brand identity has not only allowed me to grow as a photographer but as an individual as well.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Whether it be for a client or work for my personal portfolio, my aim is to create imagery that promotes harmony, effortless yet intentional living, and an appreciation for the gentility found in life’s uncomplicated moments. It is also important to me to offer a perspective of blackness that isn’t rooted in trauma by showing us in moments of stillness and tranquility versus the narrative of black hardship. Reassuring our right to the luxuries of peace is a theme dear to me and I always hope that it translates in my work.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Photography serves as a constant reminder for me to stay curious and to always seek greater understanding within the fine details. The most fulfilling aspect of being a creative is the ability to translate memories and experiences over the span of time. I firmly believe that in making art we are creating life by giving single moments an opportunity to exist forever. Whether abstract or familiar, photographs have the ability to communicate feelings without bias. Being blessed enough to use my gifts in the visual arts as a tool in self-discovery is beyond rewarding in itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kmeon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.meon/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenyameon/

Image Credits
– Model – Nyasia Blanco Wardrobe – Orchid Boheme Styled by – Chantay Davenport – Model – Myyah White Wardrobe – Ace&Jig – Model – Rachelle Barnes