photography

confessions of an obsessive travel planner

confession: i have obsessive tendencies. once i pick up a new hobby or interest, it’s full steam ahead until i’m pulled into the next adventure. since i’ve crocheted my entire family multiple scarves, it’s time for something new.

thanks to the growing black travel movement, exploring the world is my latest obsession. remember my summertime fine piece where i made a commitment to adding more stamps to my passport?  thankfully, i did just that with a recent trip to costa rica. cool breezes, palm trees, beaches, delicious food — we lived la pura vida for five relaxing days (check the ‘gram if you missed it).

while we were still in costa rica, i was already planning our next trip abroad. i mentioned i was obsessive right? here are my top social media and black travel bloggers who give invaluable access to a world without borders:

    1. zim ugochukwu and travel noire: get real familiar with zim and everything that is travel noire. after losing her job, traveling the world and sleeping on a friend’s couch, she emerged from a personal journey with a dedication to encourage black folks to see the world. she’s lowkey my latest inspiration, and travel noire’s #tndistrict is one of the most creative ways imaginable to connect with black folks around the world. check out zim’s interview with time magazine for more insight into the black travel movement.
    2. oneika the traveller: traveling to 70 countries on 6 continents has made oneika a certified travel expert. she’s been everywhere — when i say everywhere, i mean EVERYWHERE — you ever thought about traveling and thankfully chronicled her experiences online. browse her blog for top notch advice before you even think about booking a flight.
    3. catch me if you can: me and j.nambowa should be friends. her courage to get up and go off the solo move inspires all type of black girl magic. not only does her blog offer travel tips, but her periscope takes things a step further with realtime visuals from her epic locations. plus her advice on saving to travel helps squash that voice in the back of your head saying “you can’t afford to take that once in a lifetime vacation.”
    4. hashtags, hashtags and hashtags: #blacktravelers, #blacktravelhackers, #travelisthenewclub, #travelnoire and #jettsettingchicks are my go to hashtags for travel experiences. just scrolling through the pictures will inspire you to get up and go.

living in a fast-paced-urban environment provides lots of distractions from my inner self, but travel puts life as i know it to a halt. traveling is not only my latest obsession, but part of my dedication to self-care.

crush of the week: serena williams

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the physical embodiment of black girl magic, serena williams continues to walk in greatness. currently holding four tennis titles, she’s preparing for the u.s. open where if  she wins she’ll be the first player to earn a grand slam since the 1980s. swag on ’em serena.Serena-Williams-New-York-Magazine-August-2015-Cover-Photoshoot01-800x480 389449-serena-williams-splitserena-williams-new-york-magazine4_0*all pics from new york  magazine.

artist sharla hammond mixes patterns, prints & practicality

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sharla hammond creates art that does more than just look pretty on a wall.  it’s both functional and political.sharla6sharla5sharla1

read more about sharla and her work over at a country called earth and look out for her wheat paste art throughout austin and new orleans.

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photo credit: nakeya brown

 

test shots by rog & bee walker

remember when solange knowles’s wedding pictures broke the internet? well, those epic images were credited to new york-based photographer rog walker.  he and his wife bee ( bottom left) captured some of new york’s most creative beings in their “test shot” series.

 

check out rog’s visual biography on rogwalker.com.

photo credit: rog walker

weekend wear 10.27.14

DSC_0003 Processed with VSCOcam with c1 presetDSC_0127DSC_0125  wish i had more to share lovelies but these few shots are the only snaps i got from onrae lateal’s ep release party at the beacon hotel’s sky bar. i guess that’s what happens when you’re an event’s photographer! nevertheless, what the event lacked in my narcissistic edification, it surely made up for in good vibes and dope music. congrats to onrae lateal and the entire libra season team!

maxi dress, astars from emporium dna | moto jacket, forever 21 | granny boots, thrifted | lipstick, nars matte pencil in train bleu

p.s. much love to my man earl of earl’s closet for coming out. if you haven’t already, check out his vintage collection — the fall pieces are epic.

 

 

weekend wear 7.28.14

DSC_0442DSC_0433DSC_0436DSC_0383 DSC_0373DSC_0394DSC_0441DSC_0378hey good people! i worked with carlisha shanae photography this weekend for the black beauty: unbleached photo series.  the endeavor showcases the beauty of four black women with sunkissed skin, more specifically, those who would have been forced into category d based upon the original straight outta compton casting call.  through this series, carlisha shanae is abolishing norms and creating a wider space for women of all hues to see their reflections. many thanks to the photographer, models and production crew for a dynamic shoot — i felt blessed, loved and empowered.

check instagram for the teaser video from our shoot. stay tuned for the full length version!

dress, ashanti brazil from nubian hueman | necklace, forever 21 (similar here) | shoes, nordstrom rack (last seen here) | lipstick, rich violet by kat von d

crush of the week: samira wiley

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i’m in love with samira wiley. no, i mean, i really love samira wiley. she’s one of the stars of my favorite netflix series, orange is the new black, and her instagram account reveals an effortless flow from feminine to androgynous personal style.  my kinda gal.sw2 sw3 sw4lawd geezus this woman is perfection.

pics via refinery29