Below, check out the featured resources for aspiring photographers.
Aperture On Sight
Creative Live
Aperture Conversations
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 6
Episode 5
Episode 4
Dana Scruggs
Aya Brown
Dua Saleh
SANDRINE CHARLES
CRYSTAL ANDERSON
Elizabeth Acevedo
Dana Scruggs On Discovering Your Voice and Owning Your Talent as a Photographer
Over the past seven years, photographer Dana Scruggs has asserted herself as a force to be reckoned with through using her expertise and knowledge to capture and convey the raw emotions of people of color. Representing the very definition of a visionary and hustler, she has been steadfast in moving mountains and overcoming obstacles in order to achieve her lifelong dreams of becoming a photographer.
While getting her start in photography and with very little resources, she moved to New York in hopes of allowing her career to flourish and eventually, Scruggs rose to the top of her game. Never one to limit herself in the pursuit of art and advancing her career, prior to shooting for major publications, she took matters into her own hands by traveling to various New York City neighborhoods in order to capture various subjects in each borough and build her portfolio. Through this experience and daily exercise to advance her skills as a creative, Scruggs was able to jump start her career and since then, she has captured some of the industry’s most notable talents that includes Mariah Carey for the cover of New York Magazine, Diddy along with his family for Essence, Megan thee Stallion for Time Magazine, Janelle Monáe for Shape Magazine and Travis Scott for Rolling Stone.
As part of the first installment of The Creative Come Up in partnership with Converse, Scruggs outlined three vital lessons and key learnings for photographers of all backgrounds who are looking to make their mark on the industry. Leveraging her years of experience and keen insight into the world of photography, Scruggs emphasized the importance of creating a space for yourself and identity in the world of photography, finding your voice and establishing your aesthetic as well offering learnings on how to maintain confidence while shooting on your first big set.
For a closer look into how Dana Scruggs has become the modern icon she is today and to hear her advice for photographers looking to rise in the ranks, watch the video above to hear her valuable lessons on ways aspiring and up-and-coming photographers can advance their career.
The Creative Come Up in partnership with Converse is a dynamic, multifaceted content series supporting and celebrating the achievements of boundary-breaking women of color and individuals who stem from all walks of life and are pursuing their creative passions to the fullest. Through amplifying the voices, journeys and experiences of Black female creatives and gender nonconforming people of color who are defying the status quo to pave one’s own way forward, The Creative Come Up will act as an inspirational mode that provides aspiring creatives with the tools, resources, and education to achieve their dreams and creative pursuits.
Episode 5
CRYSTAL ANDERSON