THE UK Black Female Photographers (UKBFTOG) are literally making an exhibition of themselves in central London.

The UKBFTOG are currently presenting Living the Dream, a group exhibition of a vibrant and diverse community of amateur and professional photographers of all levels.

Living the Dream, sees 51 artists pay tribute to inspirational women, and supportive men, from past and present and aspire to stimulate next generations. In addition, the McKenzie Heritage Collection generously loaned several archival pieces.

By drawing parallels between historical Black British life and life as we know it today, the exhibition seeks to highlight inextricable connections and to challenge socially conditioned biases.

Visitors are invited to enter the gallery space with an open mind envisioning their own dreams whilst engaging with the artists’ boldly captured images.

The showcase celebrates culture, creativity, and womanhood through the lens of Black female photographers is available to view at the The FUJIFILM House of Photography.

Jemella Ukaegbu, founder of the UKBFTOG Community and one of the featured photographers, Sahara Ashanti, spoke to The Voice about visionary group and photography in general.

RH: Tell me how/why you took up photography?

JU: I always loved photography, but I started out wanting to be either a teacher or social worker but once I found out I was dyslexic, I thought I wasn’t smart enough to get a degree as writing and reading started to become challenging. I turned back to my first love of photography as I was a visual learner. 

I started with only knowing 3 UK based Black female photographers and now I know over 500

Jemella Ukaegbu, founder of the UKBFTOG Community

Through studying photography my love for it grew deeper from the stories we could tell with photographs and the amount of power it has, as it’s a visual documentation of our existence once we are no longer here to tell our stories.

I did eventually attend university and study photography. It was a hard journey with my dyslexia, but I had the most amazing tutor who made me understand how I learn and take in information and I ended up getting a 1st class degree in photography. 

For the last 10 years I have been running my photography business Mellz Photography LTD and I specialise in capturing my clients special moments and printing them to last for generations. www.MellzPhotography.co.uk

SA: I seem to have an eye for angles and taking good pictures of people in general. I was always  my friends/family’s preferred choice to take pics. One day at a family wedding I took two pictures of the page boys and flower girls (you’ll find them somewhere on my IG page); and that was a light bulb moment. I decided I would ‘have a go’. It wasn’t until lockdown that I started to really explore photography, I dived in the deep end and with UKBFTOG behind me I found the confidence and support I needed.

How did the group come together? 

JU: With studying photography as a degree, I got exposed to certain kinds of photography industry events such as photography conventions, which then exposed me to more workshops and events etc. Every time I would attend these events I wouldn’t see anyone who looked like me either giving the classes or attending the workshops. I used to get asked very uncomfortable questions as a Black female photographer and I simply started to feel isolated. 

In December 2017, I did a rant/social media call out on Twitter and Instagram which ended with people messaging me saying they can’t wait to see what I have planned, from that point I knew I had to start planning something and then the rest has been history.

In the like 5 years we have done photography meets both education and social around 5 to 6 year and we have had 7 exhibitions so far. During Covid we set up a support group which consisted of weekly Zoom calls to check in on everyone’s mental health as well as setting goals and preparing from when we came out of Covid. 

I started with only knowing 3 UK based Black female photographers and now I know over 500. Our main space where all of our connecting takes place is our private FB group, where we give each other daily support sharing our work, experiences and questions, our safe space.  We use Instagram to keep the world updated on what we are getting up to as well as sharing our members’ work.

If I could take a photograph of someone it would be Grace Jones. Oh the bone structure, the style, the elegance! 

Photographer Sahara Ashanti

What are some of the most future objectives of the group? 

JU: I just want the community to grow in strength, celebrating each other as we win in whatever we want to do in life. More exhibitions, more meetups, collaborations and partnerships so that we can keep going, it’s amazing to see everyone grow, we are at all different levels from professional to hobbyist. Who knows maybe even our own HQ, now that would be amazing! 

 Who or where would you most like to take a photo?

JU: Ohhhhhh this is a hard one! I definitely want to do sessions abroad in Italy, Lake como specifically. I just think it’s such a beautiful place. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful! 

SA: If I could take a photograph of someone it would be Grace Jones. Oh the bone structure, the style, the elegance! 

Featured artists: Aicha Thomas, Amaani Oluwa, Angella Mofondo, Annette Turner, April Alexander, Ashleigh Willer, Ayọbami Elegunde , Bethany Peters, Blanche Nicholas, Bonnie Paul, Celina Mervine, Chantelle Parson, Dominique Nok, Elizabeth Okoh, Funmi Akingbe, Gifty Dzenyo, Hasna Tayyar, Jade Reynolds-Hemmings, Jemella Ukaegbu, Jo Sealy, Joanne Appiah, Jumi Popoola, Kai Campbell, Keisha George, Kevanna Etten, Kimberly Saddler, Kudzai, Boudoir by la, Laura Rose, Liliana Séca Santos, Mariochukwu Washington-Ihieme, Margaret Hanson-Omani, Maria Oyeniyi, Marlene Landu, Monika Mabiki, Morlene Fisher, Musa Bwanali, Naomi St Juste, Naomi Williams, Rachel Blake, Rebecca Orleans, Rele James, Sahara Ashanti, Samaria Ofuasia, Shade O. Thompson, Shani Weekes, Sophia Loren, Tessa Lwanga, Tianna J Williams, Tobi Sobowale, Violeta Sofia.

The Living The Dream Exhibition is at The FUJIFILM House of Photography, 8-9 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LH.