Many photographers use the craft as a way to convey a message or communicate an idea. Gerard focuses on long-term projects as a way to connect with himself and explore his identity through his sexuality. For him, photography is therapy. His work is represented in the permanent collections at Duke University, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Museum of the City of New York, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Tune in to Episode 22 to hear Washington DC based documentary photographer, Dee Dwyer discuss the importance of connecting with the communities she photographs. She talks about gaining access and gratitude and why it’s important to say ‘Thank You’ to the community when the project is done.

Tune in to Episode 21 where we chat with London based fashion and portrait photographer, Aisha Seriki. Aisha remembers growing up visiting museums and not seeing herself represented on the walls and how that fed her insecurities about who she was as a black person and as a black woman. That prompted her to pick up the camera and document black women in an empowering and respectful light with honor and dignity. She is a fashion and portrait photographer and she has recently been considered one of the 20 black photographers to follow by GQ.


Tune in to episode 20 where we speak with Brooklyn based street and portrait photographer Jean Andre Antoine. He has the challenge of getting a New Yorkers attention and gaining their trust. And when he does, he focuses on the human connection to make his portraits. He finds the humanity of strangers. It takes a certain type of personality to wake up, pack your gear and hit the streets of NY to sell street portraits. Jean Andre Antoine has been doing this for 10 years and his dedication has landed him commissioned jobs with Nike and Tiffany and Co.

Tune in to Episode 19 where we speak with Baltimore native, Reginald Thomas II, about his path to becoming team photographer of the San Antonio Spurs. He lives his life based on the principle of personhood and how that principle has gained the trust of champion athletes from the high school level to the Boston Red Sox to the San Antonio Spurs.


Tune in to episode 18 of the Black Shutter Podcast. We speak with Atlanta based, Unit and Stills Photographer, Eli Joshua Ade about his career path to working on one of the top shows of 2020, HBO’s Lovecraft Country.

Tune in to Episode 17 to hear how New York based portrait photographer, painter and illustrator, Nichole Washington, finds balance and meaning by combining her different skill sets and interests.

Tune in to Episode 16 to hear New Orleans based documentary photographer, L. Kasimu Harris, discuss the importance of documenting a community that is slowly being erased and how that influences both his photography and his writing.


Tune in to Episode 15 of the Black Shutter podcast. I speak with Maryland and Los Angeles based fashion, portrait and commercial photographer, Jabari Jacobs. We chop it up about betting on ourselves, taking risks, and how to level up our presentation when it comes to the business side of things.


Tune in as we speak with Ugandan Multicultural Wedding photographer, Petronella Lugemwa, who speaks about the importance of owning her heritage while growing up in a foreign environment.


Montreal based portrait photographer, Naskademini, discusses the importance of repairing the way we see the world as Black photographers. He speaks about legacy building by capturing the grace and dignity of Black people. This is the power of representation in front of the camera and behind the lens.

Tune in to hear Washington DC based photojournalist and professor, Cheriss May, discuss her time photographing politics as a Black woman. She also speaks on her experiences as both a student and professor at Howard University and the importance of having that community.

Michael A. McCoy, Baltimore native, photojournalist and Army veteran, discusses how he copes with PTSD and the importance of having mentors. As a Black Veteran, he feels it is his responsibility to photograph the humanity of Vets because, in many cases, it can mean life or death.

Tune in as we speak with documentary and portrait photographer, Melissa ‘Bunni’ Elian, about her experiences photographing the diaspora in the U.S., the UK, and South Africa. 


Michael Starghill, Houston based portrait and editorial photographer, discusses the art of self-assigning projects and the importance of paying dues.

Lynsey Weatherspoon, commercial and editorial photographer, moved from Alabama to Atlanta and photographs an aspect of ‘home’ wherever she is.

Afro-Dominican portrait, dance and fine art photographer, Luis Alberto Rodriguez, reflects on his career as a dancer and its impact on his photography.

Brooklyn based portrait and sports photographer, Anthony Geathers, discusses his time in the military and how those experiences prepared him for a career in photography.