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15 Emerging POC Women Photographers To Know | Part ii

Cole Ndelu is a Johannesburg based conceptual, portrait and fashion photographer who grew up in Durban. Ndelu defines her work as “fashion documentary”, and creates visuals from an unapologetically black and feminine place. In January 2019, Ndelu became a recipient of the Getty Images Creative Bursary Grant for "A Study of Femininity - a radically soft portraiture series subverting the abject" which is now on exhibition at The Art House in Wakefield, UK.

Vuyo Tlholoe, known as Erem Malo, is a photographer from Alexandra, Johannesburg. Erem studied Creative Brand Communications in Vega (Johannesburg). Initially, she didn't have enough credits to pursue the degree so she had to study photography for a year to gain credits. Once pursuing Creative Brand Communications, she continued photography on the side and realised that photography is her calling. "I want to be different and not follow societal norms and with that there are things I need to unlearn as a human being living in the society that we live in."

Gabrielle Kannemeyer is a creative director, photographer, stylist and producer. Although Gabrielle is most recognised as a stylist and has several years of experience in the field, the Cape Town based creative ventured into photography a few years ago. She is a graduate from Michaelis School of Fine Art where she majored in photography. Her work is recognized both locally and internationally and is characterized by creative insight and powerful collaborations.

Isabel Okoro is a 18-year-old Toronto-based, Nigerian photographer, she is currently completing a BSC at the University of Toronto. In 2017 she published a photo-book titled From Lagos With Love, capturing and documenting the city of Lagos. From Lagos with Love features portraits of everyday people from Lagos, documented encounters, a few write ups and drawings and paintings, all by Isabel. From Lagos with Love is a testament to the highs and lows of her native city.

Jody Brand is a photographer and art director based in Cape Town. She has been documenting alternative South African realities to create a future where femme-identified people can flourish. She has participated in several group exhibitions and solo exhibitions. In 2017 she a solo exhibition titled "You Can’t Keep a Good Woman Down" a celebratory tableau inviting the worship of black and brown, queer and femme bodies in an effort to reconfigure the visual cues of domination.

Joyce Sze NG is a Hong Kong born, London-based photographer who graduated from Central Saint Martins. Her photography redefines genre, shifting our perceptions of beauty, style and taste. Joyce’s style is repeatedly influenced by the subjects photographed, often beginning with the casting process before the shoot. Joyce partook in a joint exhibition in January this year with Korean-born photographer Hanna Moon titled "English as a Second Language", at Somerset House in London which brought an Asian perspective to photography and their take on Western conceptions of beauty and what it feels like to be ‘lost in translation’.

Keziah Quarcoo is a photographer and filmmaker based in London with a passion for empowering people through visibility and sharing honest stories. One of her earlier photo projects was centred around skin conditions such as albinism and vitiligo, titled "The Epidermavision Project" a series of images that educates the audience, and celebrates the participants. This year she’s also, directed a short series of humanising stories for Skoda and has contributed to a number reputable media entities.

is a multi award-winning, multidisciplinary artist and creative strategist best known for photography and creative direction. The New York based artist's work centers on race and identity, and engages with themes of autonomy and empathy. Laura’s portraiture is direct yet soft spoken, encouraging audiences to lean in to see the story of the subject. Laura has been involved in several group exhibitions in major cities in US and Europe.

Lauren Woods, also known as Portrait Mami is a non-binary analogue photographer born in North Carolina and is currently based in Hawaii. Woods has been working as a photographer for three years and has had several showcases in Los Angeles, Berlin and Hawaii as well as several notable collaborations with brands. Their work focuses on mental-health awareness, the queer community and people of colour, Woods' vision is to highlight and uplift these communities.

Lebogang Tlhako also known as Sister Bozza is a photography graduate from Katlehong, east of Johannesburg who studied photography at The Market Photo Workshop. Her work focuses on township life, which she documents in an inimitable way, combining it with her love for thrifting, nostalgia and fashion. Last year Tlhako was a participant of Photo Incubator: Edition Four, an initiative by The Market Photo Workshop, with support from the Department of Arts and Culture. A 7-month programme with the aim of enhancing and elevating photographers’ business ventures and artistic practice.

Masego Morulane is a photographer, illustrator and co-founder of Mane Chicks based in Johannesburg. Masego was among the photographers who shot the Dove and Getty Images campaign #ShowUs, the aim of the campaign was to create a trove of stock imagery generated by women in all their spectacular diversity so that traditional media can use these “real” images to diversify their content to reflect a multiplicity of women.

Nicolette Nunez is a self taught portrait photographer based in Chicago, with years of experience in visual arts having started illustrating and painting from a young age and then practicing photography from the age of 16. Nicolette worked as an in-house photographer for a furniture design company until she quit her job this year to become a full-time freelance photographer. "To me, a portrait is an archived moment of you feeling wholly connected to yourself. It is a recording of self love and a marker in time."



Nonzuzo Gxekwa is a self-taught photographer originating from KZN, now based in Johannesburg. Nonzuzo is inspired by the grit of Johannesburg, an element evident in her documentary photography. She has participated in several group exhibitions including the independent UNDERLINE projects show and the WOMEN’S SHOW 2019/ PHOTOGRAPHY AND ACTIVISM by PH Centre in Cape Town.



Obiageli Adaeze Okaro is a Nigerian photographer and digital artist focused on portrait, documentary and fine art photography. Her work is a representation of her ethnicity, country, and a celebration previous decades. "As a Nigerian woman, I have been and will continue to depict women as powerful, fearless, gentle, unstoppable, and full of light. One of my main goals is to keep representing black women, especially dark-skinned women, as beautiful, strong, and so much more than people believe them to be."



Wami Aluko is a Nigerian photographer, creative director and film-maker studying philosophy at the University of Edinburgh. Her work highlights and celebrates the diversity within Nigeria and the African diaspora and those the mainstream often forgets. She started her photography journey in 2016 and has exhibited her work in Edinburgh, London and Lagos. The 21-year-old's debut 2018 documentary "For Those Who Listen" which explores a new wave of Nigerian musicians is her most recognizable work to date.

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