Photographer Life Check

Life Check :  We get to the root with Kennedy Arnette, Perennial  Memory Lab’s founding gardner. Ok enough with the puns lol This episode is even deeper than archive work. We get into what it takes & costs to be a steward without positioning yourself as an authority. Kennedy’s a perfect guide into memory work. So excited for you all to hear this episode! Gear Don’t Matter But: Canon Handicam!!...

Life Check :  Kendra Harris walks us through her documentary on Justin Lamar Carter, her internet episodic - Photography Roulette, & The Art of Slowing Down. All of her projects relate to each other in the way that she creates with great intention! Gear Don’t Matter But:  Canon R6 🖤PLC Playlist🖤 :  Qurissy: Sounds of Blackness - Optimistic - did I say this one already? Lol Kendra: Gabriel Ja...

Life Check :  Frenchy Williams from Photography Without Borders shares insights on the power of photography, cultural identity, and community impact. On the heels of New York’s 69th and Chicago’s 49th annual Puerto RIcan Day Parades, PWB, for the first time, is taking their predominantly Puerto Rican students to Puerto Rico TODAY (the day thai airs)!!! Iconic if I do say so myself. Gear Don’t Matt...

I'm back, been around the world!! Didn't expect to be gone so long but easing back into it with a little minisode from your submissions. If you'd like to submit your favorite Photograph Not Taken please tell us about your memories, bring us into the stories! 📩 Submit your Photographs Not Taken Watch/Listen to Photographer Life Check ⁠⁠⁠ on Youtube , Apple , Spotify Amazon Music , iHea...

Life Check :  We step back into the archive this time with Samia Minnicks who is a photographer, storyteller, & photo restoration artist. While all of Samia’s work is great I knew it was important to have conversations about photo restoration and learn more about the resource that is this practice! We get a lil sentimental but don’t we always? Wait to hear what sign she is lollol Anyway, if yo...

Life Check :  We get into Loren Toney’s ongoing photo series, Vignettes, focused on Black men growing old. We discover her thought process and journey through creating this project. Gear Don’t Matter But:  The one she got on her (PERIOD) EOS Canon 1v 🖤PLC Playlist🖤 :  Loren - Raye - Joy Qurissy - Mulan - Honor To Us All  Shoot Yo Shot:  BEYONCEEEEEE!! We calling on you again girl. We said it in...

Life Check : Our first Photographs Not Taken Minisode! A dream come true! So grateful to everyone who submitted!! We can’t wait to read more of your memories!  No new additions to the PLC Playlist this week but you can still run it up here —-> 🖤PLC Playlist🖤 Shoot Yo Shot: Qurissy wants all of you to send us your favorite photograph not taken!! Linked below! 📩 Submit your Photographs Not Tak...

Life Check : Giving our inner child room to breathe on this episode while we take a little detour right at he top of the show with Mickey in music! But as an incredible music photographer it was only right! We get into being a photographer & content creator and Mickey gives us tips on how to sustain both. Gear Don’t Matter But:  Photography Kit: Sony A7R5 & R4 70-200mm Content Creating Kit...

Life Check :  Ashley O’Shay returns a Sinner!!! This week we’re talking about Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s recent historic Oscar win as the first woman to win an oscar for best cinematography. We get into what that means for all of us and some predictions Ashley has as a cinematographer in the industry.  Ashley will definitely be back once her film, Southmont Drive is out, but we did get a lil gem that...

Life Check :  Join us as we sit down with the ladies of Black Image Center!! As we continue to celebrate Women’s History month we invited some BIC besties to our PLC Posse to uplift the women of BIC! We use this episode to honor the dedication that the women contribute to preserving Black stories and building communal spaces for generations to come. We introduce a new segment, just for this episod...

Life Check :  This week, Kreshonna Keane aka Visuals by K, a celebrated photographer and visual storyteller, shares her journey through motherhood, creative evolution, and navigating the liminal space between personal growth and professional artistry. Her openness offers a heartfelt glimpse into the realities of motherhood and the resilience required to craft a life. This one is especially for the...

Hang with us for an inspiring episode where photographer, filmmaker, and builder & MUVA to Prince Reefer - Kayla Reefer shares her journey of embracing diverse creative pursuits, from photography and filmmaking to woodworking and brand building. We get into how she navigates her artistry with intention, humility, and a deep connection to her identities, all while cultivating community and auth...

Life Check : Things you should think about as an exhibiting artist though her latest exhibit recently premiered at the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance in Chicago available to view through July 2026. Qurissy also shares insights on navigating the art world, the significance of visibility, and the lessons learned from her early exhibitions Focusing on her recent project 'Stateside' which explores...

This week we tap into the creative journey of London based photographer Shingi Rice! Shingi is a photographer and UGC creator who tells us about her life through online sharing. Like all of us, she hasn’t updated her website in a while but that led us to some incredible gems of remembering how she moved through the world during her Saturn return (who can relate 😭). We did a lot to get here so I h...

“Photography is a wish, its gives power, honor, its everything, doing this for people its a present” On our way to Rio!!! Nehemie Lemal joins us at Photographer Life Check to discuss her journey into photography and making her her throughout the world living an artistic life. Nehemie discusses her relationship to light and shares insights from her time in Paris and in Rio.  Inspo: Insecure, Renell...

Cristina left us with BARS! Qurissy & Cristina explore the profound impact of storytelling in photography, the influence of cultural roots on creative vision, and the importance of integrity in documenting personal and societal narratives. Cristina shares her journey from documentary photography to jewelry making, emphasizing the significance of intentionality and the emotional connections tha...

Welcome back to Photographer Life Check! We celebrate this milestone with some new things around us and a few requests! New cover art photographed by Dakotah Whiting . Send her a few black hearts to let her know we love it! Submit your Photographs Not Taken! You can find, hire, or reach Qurissy at: instagram , website , & obviously ⁠⁠ PLC ⁠Instagram Watch/Listen to Photographer Life Check ⁠⁠⁠...

We’ve carried this baby to term!!! 😭 Qurissy and Tumi celebrate the season finale of Photographer Life Check podcast!!!  Together, they celebrate nine months of captivating conversations and creative journeys. Qurissy reflects on her growth as a host and photographer, sharing insights from her personal experiences and the inspiring stories of her guests. This episode is a heartfelt tribute to the...

Titilayo Ayangade, a dynamic photographer and cellist, takes us on a journey through her life as a multi-hyphenate artist. She delves into her profound synergy between music and photography, revealing how each art form enriches the other for her. Titi shares her creative process, emphasizing the vital role of community and collaboration in her work. She candidly discusses the challenges and triump...

In this episode, DeeDee Casimir shares her journey from fashion to filmmaking, discussing her experiences in the film festival circuit and the creation of her thesis film, "The Last Hoorah at G-Baby's." She reflects on personal stories, the challenges of the industry, and the importance of authentic representation in media. This synopsis of the episode is super short but baby we were...

You don’t have to niche down if you dont want to!! Kai Tsehay shares her journey as a photographer and how shes been able to do it all. We get into the importance of capturing joy and intimacy, how event photography documents history and IS art.  Kai  reflects on her creative influences, the impact of AI on the industry, and her aspirations for the future, including a desire to be a photo director...

This week, Qurissy sits  down with Adrena Trice who shares how the vibrant art scene in Chicago shaped her into the illustrious director, producer, & writer that she is now. Adrena emphasizes the significance of feedback, diversity in production teams, and the necessity of taking risks in the creative industry. In fact, this episode is largely about the rewards we receive after the risks. Get...

Get in babes we’re going to Londooonnnnnn! Switched up a bit this episode with the London photographer Angela Ogunfojuri!! What do yall think about this flow?  We discuss Angela's journey in the photography industry, her experiences as a Black woman photographer in London specifically, and the challenges and triumphs she has faced. Angela shares insights into her creative process, the importan...

How to be a Cover girl with Phylicia J. L. Munn!! We get into all of her work but it was especially important to learn how Phylicia navigates and captures these excellent covers. She gives us tips on where to look for connections and how to put yourself out there. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities that arose during the pandemic, the dynamics of working on set, and how to maintain a...

Qurissy and Priscillia Grubo explore the multifaceted world of brand photography, particularly through the lens of Priscillia's experiences as a black woman photographer in Munich, Germany. Going overseas for the first time in this episode - wow so proud of us!! Another milestone!! They discuss the importance of personal branding, the creative process behind capturing authentic portraits, and...