"The term Black gaze signifies to me that I’m unapologetically Black… When one learns the Black gaze for themselves, they’re purposely allowing their presence to be seen, heard and challenged, with or without prejudice." — John Ferguson What does the Black gaze mean to you? We, as
Q&A
"To me the Black gaze is when people are surprised and/or shocked I’m not a wedding photographer. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong being a wedding photographer but all Black photographers aren’t." — Dawn Hester How does the Black gaze relate to your
Q&A
"It means looking at Black subjects with kindness, empathy and nuance. It means that as Black people we can be seen as we truly are and not with preconceived notions of who we are. It’s important because images are powerful. Whether we like it or not they oftentimes
Q&A
"To me, the Black gaze means to see and understand through Black eyes. To read and listen. To comprehend, not to respond. To see how we create, how we live, our day to day lives and experiences told through Black narratives and not interfered with by anyone else. It’
Q&A
"For me the Black gaze means seeing and telling my own stories myself, changing the western perspectives of us. It matters because I live these stories. I am these stories. I am in the right place to tell them." — Rachel Seidu How does the Black gaze relate to
Q&A
"We often hear about the issue of “the White gaze” and so I think of Black gaze as the answer to that. Just this year, we’ve started to see Black photographers like Kennedi Carter and AB+DM Studio shoot major magazine covers. This year. We’re JUST now
Q&A
"To me, the Black gaze means exactly what it sounds like – seeing things from a Black point of view (which is not monolithic) and with regards to photography, in a way that attempts to shed as much as possible of the colonialism that is inherent to the practice. It
Q&A
"The Black gaze to me means directing the focus of the world on to the Black creatives and showcasing the talents and versatility of Black creatives. It is important because there’s not enough representation of Black creatives and we need to start pushing out ourselves to the world.
Q&A
"To me, the Black gaze is one of the many gazes on the margins of photography’s history so far and the margins of mainstream western art institutions. The Black gaze in particular is one that is also a vital means through which black people are able to represent
Q&A
"For the best part we all have the ability to look and not truly see. To engage others requires a platform, a means to open visual debate and hone our skills via collaboration, to think and act in the context of we and us and not me, myself and
USA
"The Black gaze is the way Black people see ourselves and the outside world. Because of the intersections within our community, this can vary based on gender, sexuality and skin tone. As a Black woman, I use my work to show viewers the various ways I see myself and
Q&A
"To simply put it, the Black gaze is a perspective. It’s the manner in which Black people globally see and perceive their day to day life, their community, and the world at large. Perspectives, in general, are critical for painting a more complete picture. The Black perspective is
© 2025 Shaun Connell. All Rights Reserved.
Every image belongs to its maker. We’re just holding space.