I’m coming home to you, photography.

This story was originally written in 2020.

Fred Ward photo of Gloria RichardsonLike a writer endlessly writes, I find myself looking at photographs for endless hours at a time.

I have to thank the work of many photographers for saving my life and helping me fall in love with photography.

Fred Ward’s timeless image of Gloria Richardson taken in 1963 always makes me feel like a powerful black woman, and like I am living in that eternal moment.

Photography has the power to spark joy like Andre Wanger’s timeless photography that celebrates the lives of black people.

photo by Andre Wanger

Miranda Barnes’s use of colored film opposite of Andre Wanger’s use of black and white film captures the euphoria of the black’s essence with such beauty and softness.

photo by Miranda Barnes

Bruce Davidson’s photography, like Miranda and Andre, brings me to imagine myself in a different era and time. Most of the photographs taken by Davidson are of people wanting to bring change or people that are part of a changing world. Davidson’s photographs make change feel powerful and everlasting.

photo by Bruce Davidson

Jamal Shabazz’s photographs of the black community of New York City makes New York City feel like home. Shabazz’s photography is the epitome of timelessness because he captures an element of NYC’s truths in his photographs that you can not find anywhere else.

photo by Jamal Shabazz

These photographers, along with countless others, have shaped my love for photographers, and the photos that they produce. Photography will continue to tell powerful stories and make me feel like I am coming home every time I see new and timeless photography.