PHOTOGRAPHY • INSPIRATION

Creator Collective: Onyi Moss.

The photographer and filmmaker discusses her career trajectory and a recent se-ries, “Black Women Are Soft Too.”

When did you first get into photography and visual arts? Tell us about your journey.

I first got into photography around eight years ago. I was unemployed after quali-fying as a chartered accountant because I didn’t have the relevant UK work experience to land a role in finance. I took on a volunteer finance role in a small construction company to gain some form of experience. I worked there once a week and spent the rest of my time bingewatching reality TV shows. It was then that I stumbled upon a show called “Fashion Bloggers” on E! The show featured a group of women who were self-taught photographers and creative directors who told beautiful stories using images. I found myself connecting deeply with it; I’ve always had a passion for self-expression through writing and drawing, but photography was new territory for me. It was exciting.

Rather than pay my rent that month, I ordered a camera. I told myself, “If I’m going to be late on rent, then I need to figure out how to put this camera to good use so I can earn a living from it”. My journey into the world of photography began there. I started teaching myself by watching YouTube videos and putting a lot of what I learned into practice. I started off taking a lot of self-portraits and then learned how to use Photoshop to edit and color grade. The more I did it, the more I improved.

I eventually secured a job in a bank as a financial accountant but carried on with my newfound passion alongside it. I spent most of my evenings and weekends honing my photography skills and shared my work online. Soon enough, I had people contacting me to teach them photography as well as brands hiring me for campaign shoots.

In the summer of 2017, I decided it was time to quit my job at the bank to focus more on my creative work. Since then, I haven’t looked back.

What equipment do you use? Any tips for aspiring photographers on equipment?

I currently shoot with a Canon 5D MK III together with the Sigma 50mm f1.4 lens and Sigma 20mm f1.4 lens. In post-production I use a Wacom tablet, as it helps with precision.

Two tips I always give to aspiring photographers are:

1. Make the most out of the tools you already have by learning and under-standing its features and putting it to use. It’s not necessarily the equipment that makes an image, but the eye of the person behind it and the story they’re trying to capture.

2. Focus on capturing what you’re passionate about — that way you’re al-ways in a position to tell an authentic story.

How did your work change with the impact of the COVID pandemic?

COVID allowed me time to slow down and focus on personal projects. Prior to that I was prioritizing delivering brand ideas for my clients, which was exciting but not fully mine in essence. In slowing down, I had a really good think about the legacy that I’d like to leave behind, and that’s when I decided to expand my work by going into film.

I started a film series titled “Black Women Are Soft Too,” which was born from my personal experience and those of my friends. As someone who wants to leave a legacy that paves the way for other women to hold space in the creative industry, the series was a good way to do this as it highlights other Black women sharing their stories and their passion for life.

How did the “Black Women Are Soft Too” film series come about?

As a Black woman who loves to indulge in the things that bring me joy, I often struggle to see this image of Black women being depicted in the media. More often than not, Black women are used as a symbol of pain, suffering, and strength, and often left out when softness is involved. This perceived strength has in turn left more Black women open to more harm. Case in point: The mortality rate in Black women during childbirth being consistently higher than women of other races.

I felt like it was time to change the narrative and tell the story of the Black woman — one that encompasses all of her, including her soft side. And as someone who embodies this narrative in my day-to-day life while also possessing the capability of telling that story, I found myself embarking on this journey.

“Black Women Are Soft Too” aims to highlight the softness that exists in Black women, thereby highlighting their humanity.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from quite a number of things. Naturally, these are things that I love.

I love beautiful cinematic films. I love books. I love music. I love taking long walks. I love tea. I love nature (especially flowers, which much of my work embodies). I love travelling. I love storytelling. I love writing. I love museums and historic buildings and places. I’m a true vintage lover.

Whenever I indulge in the things I love, I can’t help but draw inspiration from them.

What’s your dream project? Something you’ve always wanted to, but haven’t got there yet.

My dream project would be to write and direct a Netflix Original series.

What are some creative blocks you face, and how do you overcome those challenges?

I tend to face creative blocks when I don’t carve out time for rest. This is something I’ve had to overcome in the past couple of years because it’s hard to find inspiration when you’re burnt out.

Finding a healthy work/life balance is something I now prioritize. I have designed a system within my work schedule that allows me time to rest just as much as I work, if not more.

I deliberately take time off to rest and indulge in the things that bring me joy. I do my best to also inject the things that bring me joy into my work.

Do you collaborate with others?

Yes, I collaborate with other creatives. I work with my husband a lot. He’s a photographer as well, and we’ve built a good working relationship.

I collaborate with other creatives with the most recent being the wonderful ladies that have featured in my film series so far.

And as someone who wants to encourage more women like me to take up space in the creative world, I often highlight other creative women on my blog in a series titled “Women of Substance.”

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