Zaria Love
Los Angeles-based photographer Zaria Love explores Black identity, emotion and self-expression through portraiture. In this Q&A, she reflects on the Black gaze, disability, and the experiences that continue to shape her photographic practice.
Series: Q&A
Q&A is theBLKGZE's original interview series. Presented in a traditional question-and-answer format, these conversations explore the ideas, experiences and ways of seeing that shape photographic practice.
"The Black gaze means an admiration of everything Black. Admiration that is not only external but also internal. Internally in regards to politics, culture, emotions, and mental illness. Overall, the Black Experience."
— Zaria Love
How does the Black gaze relate to your photography practice?
This relates to my photography practice because a majority of my images are focused on Blackness and the emotions that comes a long with being Black.
What do you want to say or address with your photography?
Unadulteratedly Black.
What influences and inspires you? How is this reflected in your work?
Watching Hip-Hop/R&B music videos inspires how I capture people. For example, I love taking images of people and their many emotions and dramatics. I love to give my photography a cinematic vibe.
Who are your favourite Black photographers from the past? Why?
Gordon Parks is one of my favourite Black photographers from the past because he captured Black people in different environments from images based in New York to photos in Alabama.
Most importantly, there was story behind his photography. For example, The Fontenelle Family (1967), by Gordon Parks, captures the a single mother with her children living in poverty. The images are pure realism. For more information on The Fontenelle Family (1967) click here.
Please describe the highs and lows of your experience as a Black photographer?
The highs are just being able to take photos. The low is finding a method to still shoot while being disabled. At times I find myself saying “how” because being a Black disabled photographer is such a challenge.
What work are you producing and what more would you like to do?
Currently the project that I have in mind is capturing Black women’s nudity. Black women are beyond beautiful and I would love to capture them in their natural state.
