Athens weekend preview: Boobutante, Wild Rumpus and more

Oct 26, 2023 By Admin in Printmaking

The Red & Black compiles a weekly roundup of shows and events for the upcoming weekend. This weekend includes the 15th Annual Wild Rumpus Parade and Spectacle, a no-out-of-pocket-cost dental

“All of Our Relations” Exhibition Celebrates Native American Heritage Month at the Carnegie External Inbox

Oct 26, 2023 By Admin in Native

The Carnegie Art Center is pleased to announce “All of Our Relations,” a month-long celebration in honor of Native American Heritage Month, featuring the rich cultural heritage of the Seneca and Tuscarora Nations. This significant event will take place at the Carnegie Art Center, located at 240 Goundry Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, from November 1 to 29, 2023.

In partnership with Seneca Nation community member Olivia Maybee, the Carnegie Art Center will host a compelling group art exhibition, showcasing talented artists from the Seneca and Tuscarora Nations. The exhibition will feature visual artists including Seneca artists Hayden Haynes, Sam Jacobs, Mary Jacobs, and Olivia Maybee, as well as Tuscarora artists Robert DAlimonte, Erwin Printup, and Kehala Smith. The event aims to highlight the resiliency of Indigenous communities and shed light on their cultural significance in the Western NY region.

“We hope you can join us for ‘All of Our Relations,’ a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant artistry of the Seneca and Tuscarora Nations,” said Natalie Brown, Program Coordinator at the Carnegie Art Center. “This exhibition and the accompanying events will foster important conversations about historical and contemporary impacts faced by Indigenous communities, while also celebrating their enduring strength and cultural contributions.”

The exhibition will kick off with a free Opening Reception of the group exhibition on Thursday, November 2, from 6 to 8 PM. Throughout the month, the Carnegie Art Center will host a series of free and public Special Events, including a Cultural Storytelling Event titled “Re-Thinking Thanksgiving” with Perry Ground on Saturday, November 11, at 1 PM, and a Smoke Dance Demonstration with Q&A featuring Jordan Smith & Co. on Saturday, November 18, at 1 PM. The exhibition will culminate in a Closing Reception & Artist Talk on Wednesday, November 29, from 6 to 8 PM, featuring the artists from the group show.

“We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the creativity, resilience, and cultural heritage of the Seneca and Tuscarora Nations,” added Brown. “This exhibition and the associated events are open to all ages, offering a unique opportunity to engage with Indigenous art and traditions.”

The “All of Our Relations” exhibition and events are made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by Arts Services Inc.

Special thanks to the JC Seneca Foundation and Gail’s Tobacco & Gas on Tuscarora Reservation for their generous support of “All of Our Relations.”

For more information about the exhibition and the Carnegie Art Center, please visit www.carnegieartcenter.org or contact Natalie at info@carnegieartcenter.org or 716-694-4400.

Some of Photoshop’s Most Useful Newer Features for Landscape

Oct 26, 2023 By Admin in Photography

Photoshop remains the gold standard for advanced landscape photo edits, and in recent iterations, we have seen some remarkable steps forward, with some features giving photographers the ability to make drastic edits with just the click of a button. If you are ready to update your toolkit, check out this fantastic video tutorial that explores some of the newest features and shows you how to leverage them in a landscape image edit.

Coming to you from Serge Ramelli Photography, this great video tutorial will walk you through some of Photoshop’s newest features and how they can be used on landscape images. Generative Fill is perhaps the most exciting of these, as it allows you to more easily work with locations in which you might not be able to get around unwanted distractions in the frame like tourists. Just like any editing, though, and in particular when we are talking about such powerful tools, be sure to err on the side of doing less to keep things realistic and reasonable. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Ramelli.

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, “Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!”

Gerald C. Vigansky, 91, won many local awards in fishing, adored photography

Oct 26, 2023 By Admin in Photography

Obituary for Gerald C. Vigansky

September 21, 1932 – October 23, 2023

Gerald C. Vigansky, “Jerry,” 91, of Kenosha, passed away on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. Jerry was a lifelong resident of Kenosha, born on Sept. 21, 1932, to Paul and Agnes (Koehler) Vigansky.

He attended St. Luke’s Lutheran School and was a graduate of Mary D. Bradford High School. He enlisted in the U.S Navy and was discharged as an Aerographer’s Mate 3rd Class.

He returned to Kenosha to work in the family business, Vigansky’s TV and Appliance, for almost four decades. He operated the business with his father and younger brothers Gregg and Franz, who preceded him in death. In his semi-retirement, he continued to operate his own appliance repair business.

Most important to him was his Christian faith. Throughout his life, he was actively involved in his WELS church community at St. Luke’s, Friedens, and most recently New Life (Bethany).

Jerry was an avid fisherman. Excelling in both Lake Michigan and inland lakes, he enjoyed sharing his love of the sport with friends, family, children and grandchildren. He received multiple Kenosha Sportfishing and Conservation Association Master Angler awards.

His love of photography took him and his wife, Helen, on many trips across the U.S. He especially enjoyed photographing lighthouses. His photos have been used on various book covers as well as for the enjoyment of his friends and family.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Helen; his children, Robert (Susan), Carol, and Sally (Scott); grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Joyce and Diane; niece and nephews; and his first wife and mother of his children, Edith.

Services

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 27 at New Life Lutheran Church in Somers. A memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m.

Obituary and photo of Gerald C. Vigansky courtesy of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home.

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S’well Pairs Art With Sustainability for a Limited-Edition Timothy Goodman Collection

Oct 26, 2023 By Admin in Art World News

Timothy Goodman x S’well Original Bottles. All photos by Colors Collective

Award-winning artist and designer Timothy Goodman has joined forces with S’well, the industry pioneer of stylish and sustainable living solutions, to release an exclusive collection of S’well Original Bottles and Tumblers featuring his iconic handwritten quotes. Known for his unique lettering designs and thought-provoking messages, Goodman’s art and texts have populated walls, packaging, clothes, products, and magazine covers for brands such as Apple, Nike, Google, Samsung, MoMA, Netflix, YSL, Time, The New Yorker, and The New York Times.

Timothy Goodman x S’well includes four of the company’s best-selling hydration products, each featuring a quote from the artist about love and compassion. He shares his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “I am thrilled to partner with S’well on this limited-edition collection. One of my goals is to make art accessible for everyone, so it’s my hope that these products will not only bring people joy but also serve as a reminder of the importance of artistic expression in our everyday lives in a sustainable way.”

Founded in 2010 to help rid the world of single-use plastic bottles, S’well has established itself as a leading force in the industry. Recognized as the first company to develop reusable fashion hydration accessories, S’well products combine beautiful design and premium performance with sustainability. By partnering with Goodman, S’well aims to highlight the artist’s unique style and voice while emphasizing its commitment to pairing artistic design with sustainable solutions.

The Timothy Goodman x S’well collaboration is now available exclusively at swell.com.

For more information, please visit swell.com or follow @swellbottle on social media.

Timothy Goodman x S’well Tumbler with Straw

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article S’well Pairs Art With Sustainability for a Limited-Edition Timothy Goodman Collection appeared first on Colossal.

How to Start a Pet Photography Business

Oct 26, 2023 By Admin in Photography

Pets are often considered part of the family, so it’s no surprise that there’s a strong market for and need for professional pet photography. And given the ongoing rise in pet ownership, the pet photography market will continue to grow. People love their pets, and they will appreciate the services of a professional pet photographer who can capture their spirit and personality.

The Pet Photography Business

Pet photography occupies a unique niche within the professional photography industry. It focuses on capturing the personalities and moments of pets, often in collaboration with their owners. This goes beyond just having pet business ideas.

This niche allows photographers to combine their love for animals with their photography skills, creating a specialized market segment. Their market is pet owners who are emotionally connected to their animals and place great value on professional photos of them.

Essential Skills and Equipment for Pet Photographers

Essential skills and techniques for a pet photographer include:

Patience and understanding of animal behavior.
The ability to create a comfortable and safe environment for pets during sessions.
Knowledge of photography fundamentals such as composition, lighting, and post-processing.
Familiarity with pet handling and posing techniques.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work with pet owners.

Mastering the Pet Photography Skills

Professional photographers are skilled at using the proper gear and lighting to get the best images. But what is marketing in the context of pet photography? It’s about understanding how to promote your unique skill set.

Small Business Deals

A great pet photographer has the ability to connect with the animal, and understand how to bring out its personality in a photo. They may interact with the pet and its owner or owners before taking any photos, which will help the pet relax and become interested in its surroundings, instead of fearful.

The photographer may get down on the same level of the animal, using treats or toys to get its attention. Once the pet is relaxed and interested, it will be easier to get good photographs.

Gear Recommendations for a Professional Pet Photographer

Recommended gear includes a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a variety of lenses, including a portrait lens (e.g., 50mm or 85mm), wide-angle lens, and telephoto lens.

You’ll also need a sturdy tripod and external flash. Reflectors can also be beneficial.

Props such as toys and pet-friendly accessories can enhance your shots.

Equipment Type	Specific Gear	Purpose/Use	Budget Considerations
Camera Body	DSLR or Mirrorless	High-quality photos, interchangeable lenses	Mid to high-range budget
Lenses	Wide-angle, Telephoto, Prime	Different focal lengths for varied shots	Investment can vary widely
Tripod	Adjustable-height Tripod	Stabilize shots, particularly in low light	Moderate to high budget
Lighting	Softboxes, LED Panels	Controlled lighting conditions	Moderate budget needed
Backdrops	Fabric, Paper, Collapsible	Controlled and themed backgrounds	Low to moderate budget
Memory Cards	High-speed SD Cards	Adequate storage, quick data transfer	Low to moderate budget
Carrying Case	Weather-resistant bag or case	Protects and organizes gear	Moderate budget
Portable Batteries	External Battery Packs	Extra power for camera and lights	Moderate budget
Editing Software	Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop	Post-processing of images	Subscription-based or one-time purchase
Props	Toys, Treats, Pet Furniture	Attracting attention, themed shots	Low budget

Starting Your Own Pet Photography Business-Step by Step

Creating Your Pet Photography Business Plan

A business plan for a pet photography business should include:

Business goals and objectives.
Target market and customer personas.
Pricing structure and packages.
Marketing and branding strategies.
Financial projections and budgeting, which should include small business insurance.
A timeline for launching and growing the business.
Understanding common business structures can help you navigate the complexities of running a pet photography business.

Market Research and Identifying Your Target Audience

If you’re wondering how to start a business in pet photography, market research is crucial. You need to understand your competition and the demand in your area.

Factors to consider in market research and determining your target audience include:

Identifying your competition and their strengths/weaknesses.
Understanding the demand for pet photography in your area.
Defining your ideal client demographics and psychographics.
Identifying trends and preferences within your target market.
If there are other pet photographers in your market, how can you distinguish your business? Take photographs in clients’ homes? Use extravagant backdrops? Make sure you research what the competition is doing, or not doing.

Pricing, Profitability, and Packages

When setting prices, consider factors such as your costs, market demand, and perceived value. Offer a range of packages to cater to different budgets. Ensure your pricing covers your expenses while providing room for profit. You can refer to a business startup checklist to ensure you’re covering all bases.

Research what area photographers are charging for standard photo packages, such as graduation pictures or baby pictures. Remember that clients who want professional pictures of their pets most likely consider the pet to be part of the family.

Marketing and Branding Your Pet Photography Business

Build a strong online presence through a professional website and social media. Make sure to include client testimonials. A website startup guide can be invaluable in this phase.
Showcasing your unique style and love for pets in your branding, to attract potential clients.
Utilizing SEO techniques as you build your webside, to improve online visibility.
Networking with local pet-related businesses.
Offering promotions or referral programs to attract initial clients.

Building an Impressive Pet Photography Portfolio

Start by offering discounted or even free sessions to build your initial portfolio.

Showcase a variety of pet subjects, styles, and settings. As you gain experience and clients, update your portfolio with your best work.

Your most common assignment will be dog photos. Will you also photograph other pets, such as cats, horses, pot-bellied pigs, chickens, ferrets, birds and others?

Networking with Other Pet Professionals

Definitely network with pet related businesses such as pet stores, groomers and veterinarians.

You may also network with an animal shelter or pet rescue to provide photos of available pets. You most likely won’t be paid for such work, but when your business name is associated with the photos, that is very good public relations work.

Where to Offer Your Pet Photographer Services

If you have a studio, of course, use that for your pet photography. But don’t be afraid to take the show on the road:

High-end pet stores

Set up a photo shoot area for shoppers who bring their pets to the store. You can set this up with a seasonal theme, such as a holiday.

Dog-friendly cafes

Dog friendly establishments are also great opportunities for partnering. Take photos of pets and patrons enjoying some leisure time, and post them to both your own and the cafe’s website. Of course, images are available for purchase.

Pet Expos

Pet Expos and similar events are great places to show off your portfolio and meet potential clients.

Collaborations with Local Businesses

With so many people being pet owners, it’s not just pet related businesses who are best for networking. You can find ways to collaborate with local business owners. Join your local Chamber of Commerce or business association group, where you can meet business owners and brainstorm on how to combine your efforts.

Challenges and Opportunities in Pet Photography

No new business is without challenges. When you overcome those challenges, you’ll increase your opportunity to grow your business, and your bottom line.

Carving Out Your Niche in Pet and Dog Photography

The standard pet photography request if for dog photos. That’s going to be the mainstay of a pet photography business.

You can branch out from that by focusing on other pets, such as cats or exotic pets.

Another focus can be on action shots. For example, there are many dog sports, to include tests of hunting skills, navigation of obstacle courses, dock diving, lure coursing (chasing an object through a field), barn hunting and more. For a list of events in your area, check the American Kennel Club website and search under Events, using your state or area.

Each event will have a secretary, who is responsible for taking entries. That’s the person you’ll contact to see if you’ll be allowed to take photos at the event. You can download the photos (watermarked and protected from reproduction) to a website or dropbox, and use software to allow the pet owners to order the photos.

Navigating Common Challenges

Pets don’t always behave or follow instructions. They may be uncomfortable and even fearful when a large camera is pointed their way. As we previously discussed, taking time to let the pet relax and get to know the photographer, as well as the immediate area, can make the actual photo taking much easier.

Some animals are challenging to photograph due to their appearance. For example, a dark-eyed black Labrador Retriever may need the photographer to use special lighting techniques and reflectors to bring out the definition of its eyes and face.

Pet photography can also be seasonal. For example, business may be strongest before the holidays, as families hope to create the perfect holiday card, including their pet. To adjust to seasonal business fluctuations, keep your business thriving by using other holidays or special events to interest clients.

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FAQs: How to Start a Pet Photography Business

What should a pet owner look for in a pet photographer?

Pet owners are looking for a photographer who is not only very skilled, but very good at interacting with pets. The best photos will be of a relaxed, happy pet.

Is photographing dogs harder than photographing other pets?

There are a lot of factors to consider when answering this question. Some dogs are quite photogenic, in fact, seem to understand that it’s an important occassion and enjoy the process. Others just want “whatever this is” to end. And the difficulty of getting a good photograph of a dog is also related to its level of training – for example, will it sit or lie down on command? Stay?

The answer is similar with cats. Some may be accustomed to carrier travel and be relaxed enough for a photo. Others may prefer to hide under the furniture.

Image: Envato Elements

Leilehua Lanzilotti is Reconnecting with her Kanaka Maoli Heritage and Celebrating Hawaiian Stories

Oct 26, 2023 By Admin in Native

Leilehua Lanzilotti often references visual artworks in her compositions, but it’s more than a source of inspiration — it’s infused into her earliest memories and inextricably linked to her childhood growing up in Hawaiʻi. Her mother, Louise King Lanzilotti, was the first curator of education at The Contemporary Museum in Honolulu, which young Leilehua would visit every day after school. From day one, contemporary art felt accessible and rooted in curiosity and play. It was normal to just hang out in David Hockey’s L’enfant et les sortilèges exhibit with Ravel’s 1925 opera of the same name playing in the background, or to spend time outside in the sculpture gardens admiring one of the giant glazed “Moons” by ceramic artist Toshiko Takaezu.

Leilehua’s forthcoming album is part of a large-scale touring retrospective and monograph on Takaezu, who passed away in 2011. The album will be released next year on innova Recordings — the in-house label of American Composers Forum — and was selected from one of innova’s national calls, which welcome projects representing a diversity of musical approaches and at various stages of the recording process.

Born in Hawaiʻi of Okinawan heritage, Takaezu was one of the most important sculptors and art educators in the United States during her lifetime, and sound played an unexpected role in her practice. “At some point, Takaezu accidentally dropped a piece of clay into one of these large vessels that she made,” Leilehua explained in a video call. “When it came out of the kiln, it made this gorgeous resonance, so she started [adding pieces of clay] on purpose. When she talks about her work, she talks about how that dark space inside the sculpture is just as important. She was so incredible and innovative with her knowledge of glazes… so she had already created this beautiful 360 landscape around the outside of the sculpture. But the aspect that was really important to her was the part inside that you can only see in your mind’s eye through the physicality of trying to hear how the little clay pieces rattle and move around.”

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For the retrospective, Leilehua is contributing an essay to the monograph and co-curating an exhibit demonstrating the development of Takaezu’s conceptual practice and large-scale installations. Additionally, the Noguchi Museum has commissioned her to write several new compositions that interact with or respond to Takaezu’s works, which is what listeners can expect to hear on her innova album. The piano trio Longleash has already recorded her piece based on the resonance of Takaezu’s bronze bells, and a composition written for Sō Percussion’s Flexible Commissions program will explore the resonances and rhythms of Takaezu’s ceramic sculptures.

Leilehua’s innova album is a new touchpoint with ACF, following her 2021 McKnight Visiting Composer Residency, a program that invites artists who live outside of Minnesota to spend time connecting with the communities in ACF’s home state. The creation of new artistic work can be part of the residency, but it’s not required.

Leilehua was intrigued by the community aspect of the fellowship. The opportunity came at a time when she was refocusing her practice on Indigenous language revitalization, beginning with reclaiming her Hawaiian name and connecting to her Kanaka Maoli heritage. Until recently, Leilehua went by her full legal name: Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti. The practice of giving children a Hawaiian middle name stemmed from increased Western influence on the islands in the 19th century and an 1863 law on naming, which required that all children be given a Christian first name. The law was repealed in 1967, but naming practices that began as a government mandate have since been misconstrued as tradition.

Leilehua Lanzilotti — Photo by Laura Banchi, courtesy of the Bogliasco Foundation

During the pandemic, Leilehua found connection to the Indigenous diaspora through the Western Arts Alliance’s Native Launchpad program. Hearing people use their Indigenous names and introduce themselves in their own languages helped her realize that “it’s OK to take up space and claim [my name]… it just feels like my name, and it shows we still exist — Hawaiians still exist.”

For her McKnight residency, Leilehua proposed connecting with local Indigenous organizations to learn how languages unite and empower communities. During her month in Minnesota, she immersed herself in Indigenous Roots, an arts activism organization dedicated to cultivating opportunities for Native, Black, Brown and Indigenous peoples. She hit the ground running at their outdoor festival, bringing water to artists, going on runs for ice, and helping with the simple, basic acts that go a long way in showing up for your community.

From this entry point, Leilehua worked with Mary Anne Quiroz, the co-founder and executive director of Indigenous Roots, to identify how her unique skill set intersected with the organization’s needs. The residency turned into a series of workshops and conversations about grant writing, resources for Indigenous artists, and balancing creative work with the business side of the industry. “The focus was ‘How do I support this Indigenous organization and how they’re empowering people through language to make their art and forward what they’re doing culturally?’’ Leilehua explained. “I ended up doing that in a kind of interesting and different way because that’s what I was hearing from the community — that was what they needed, and that’s so important in all these interactions: how are you showing up, and are you listening?”

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During the residency, Leilehua was also conducting research for the libretto of her opera, tentatively scheduled to premiere in fall 2025. The bilingual libretto draws from diaries, letters, and songs written by Liliʻuokalani, the last Queen of Hawaiʻi. The first piece Leilehua wrote entirely in the Hawaiian language was On Stochastic Wave Behavior (2021) for Roomful of Teeth. The work for vocal octet has “a kind of playfulness in looking at language and words,” she said, and it features the unique sounds of two diacritical marks from the Hawaiian language: the ʻokina (glottal stop) and the kahakō, which lengthens and stresses vowels. Sputtering consonants and pulsating glottal stops are peppered over clustered layers of vowel drones before finally converging into a glowing, hummed resonance.

Reclaiming her Hawaiian name and language has allowed Leilehua to take up space as a human being, but compositionally, this started to unfold in with eyes the color of time, a finalist for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Music. The string orchestra work, written in 2020, was the first time she gave herself permission to write a longer-form piece with slow, deliberate pacing. Commissioned by the String Orchestra of Brooklyn, each movement refers to works of art that she had encountered at The Contemporary Museum in Honolulu as a child. Barely audible harmonics and pitchless bowing on the side of the bridge whisper like the wind in “Nahele (the bronze horse / the forest),” a cacophony of scratch tones bring a child’s reckless destruction to life in “les sortilèges (the wound / the torn page),” and swirling metal rattles evoke the hidden clay pieces of Takaezu’s sculptures in “mahina.”

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Reflecting on the piece, Leilehua told me that it’s really an attempt to answer questions about how we navigate challenges: “How does art help us deal with the struggles that we find in our world… how does art help us have the creativity and the imagination to work through really difficult things in our lives?” And through her work to revitalize Indigenous languages, Leilehua is continuing this line of inquiry, looking for “the languages of your heart that help you work through the struggle.”

Leilehua’s innova album is made possible thanks to generous support from the Sorel Organization. ACF’s McKnight Visiting Composer Residency is funded by the McKnight Foundation.

I CARE IF YOU LISTEN is an editorially-independent program of the American Composers Forum, and is made possible thanks to generous donor and institutional support. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and may not represent the views of ICIYL or ACF.

You can support the work of ICIYL with a tax-deductible gift to ACF. For more on ACF, visit the “At ACF” section or composersforum.org.

Delali Ayivi is following in the footsteps of one of Togo’s first photographers

Oct 26, 2023 By Admin in Photography

CNN
—

Togolese German Fashion photographer Delali Ayivi has made a name for herself with some high-profile shoots, including photographing Aminata Touré, Germany’s first Black minister, for the cover of Vogue Germany last year.

But her rapid success since starting professionally in 2019 shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise: after all, photography is in her blood.

Ayivi says that the Ewe people, one of Togo’s largest ethnic groups, have many beliefs about rebirth and certain personalities coming back through future generations. Her own curiosity, creativity and interest in photography echo that of her great-great-grandfather, Alex Agbaglo Acolatse – one of the first Togolese photographers.

Acolatse was born in 1880 to an affluent family and produced work that spanned nearly 50 years. From classical studio portraits of wealthy Togolese to documentary work covering captured territories, his lens gave a glimpse of what Togo was like during the German, French and British colonial periods.

In 1884, the area that is now Togo became part of the Togoland German protectorate. Lomé was laid out as a modern capital with three railways, and although the German occupation could be brutal, and used forced labor, some Ewe were recruited into what Germany called a “Musterkolonie” (model colony).

During Togo’s colonial periods, Acolatse began creating a series of postcards and taking poised studio portraits of Lomé bourgeoisie with their status shown through fashion.

Acolatse's studio work shows us the fashions worn by wealthy Togolese people in the early 19th century.

Acolatse retired in the mid 1950s, a few years before Togo’s independence in 1960. He died in 1975, at 95 years old. Ayivi says what struck her most when she first saw Acolatse’s studio portraiture was what it represented – a sense of Togolese pride.

“It was for me, the first time I saw Togolese people photographed through a Togolese gaze,” she said. “The gaze that didn’t feel like it was exoticizing Togolese people.”

Pictured, a chief in a top hat surrounded by women and children.

Her great-great-grandfather remains one of Ayivi’s biggest influences, despite them coming from completely different contexts. Ayivi was born in the US but grew up in Germany, and at the age of 15 moved to Lilongwe in Malawi before transferring to the UK to enrol at the University of the Arts London. Acolatse’s work inspired her to focus on fashion, particularly the social messages it can communicate.

For her, Acolatse’s photography challenges stereotypes of the African continent. “I’m really generalizing here, but it’s often a foreign gaze that serves a certain agenda that justifies developmental aid and all of these things,” she said. “Seeing imagery that didn’t serve this purpose at such an early stage was what inspired me.

“The intent that came behind that (Acolatse’s studio photography), it’s still a guiding principle for me today,” she added.

One of Ayivi’s favorite images of Acolatse’s is a self-portrait set against a romantic background. She argues that it is “Westernized” because of the pressures of colonial rule.

“You could see that style back in the days,” she said about Togo in the early 1900s. “The more assimilated you are, the more respected or the more serious a human you are. But there was still a sense of pride that I found very inspiring.”

A self portrait by Alex Agbaglo Acolatse.

Changing the lens

What Ayivi communicates in her own work is a sense of optimism and joy, even when exploring heavier subjects.

One of her favorite images that she has produced is “The Joy of it All,” which captures a group of people jumping at Lomé beach. “I’ve come to really love this image, it was a genuine moment of joy,” she said of the piece.

In 2019, Ayivi created a project called Togo Yeye in collaboration with her friend Malaika Nabilah – their aim to lift Togolese talent both at home and in the diaspora and improve Togolese representation in the creative industries. As a creative duo they’ve worked with brands like Levi’s and had their work shown on the PhotoVogue platform.

As part of a Levi's collaboration, Togo Yeye created an image inspired by the West African aquatic divinity Mami Wata.

Ayivi now splits her time between New York and London, and she admits that this year she’s had the urge to step back so she can explore, experiment, and find herself again creatively.

“This industry is very fast-paced, especially in fashion, so you want to be sure that you don’t burnout quickly.”

But last month, alongside creative partner Nabilah, she was shooting in Togo again for a PhotoVogue project creating works inspired by the concept of beauty.

“For now, I’m really excited to create work in Togo again so that’s what brings me the most joy and I always find the most fulfilling,” she said.

Marble bust bought for £5 could earn Easter Ross town millions

Oct 26, 2023 By Admin in Sculpture

The marble bust of an 18th Century Highland laird was lost before being found propping open a shed door.

Photographer Delali Ayivi is reclaiming Togolese identity

Oct 26, 2023 By Admin in Photography

Acolatse’s career spanned nearly 50 years. He retired in the mid 1950s, a few years before Togo’s independence in 1960, and died aged 95 in 1975. This image shows the fashions worn in the early 19th century by the Togolese elite. “It was for me, the first time I saw Togolese people photographed through a Togolese gaze,” Ayivi said of his work.

Alex Agbaglo Acolatse/The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Obituary for Gerald C. Vigansky

Services

Local News

The Pet Photography Business

Essential Skills and Equipment for Pet Photographers

Mastering the Pet Photography Skills

Small Business Deals

Gear Recommendations for a Professional Pet Photographer

Starting Your Own Pet Photography Business-Step by Step

Creating Your Pet Photography Business Plan

Market Research and Identifying Your Target Audience

Pricing, Profitability, and Packages

Marketing and Branding Your Pet Photography Business

Building an Impressive Pet Photography Portfolio

Networking with Other Pet Professionals

Where to Offer Your Pet Photographer Services

High-end pet stores

Dog-friendly cafes

Pet Expos

Collaborations with Local Businesses

Challenges and Opportunities in Pet Photography

Carving Out Your Niche in Pet and Dog Photography

Navigating Common Challenges

FAQs: How to Start a Pet Photography Business

What should a pet owner look for in a pet photographer?

Is photographing dogs harder than photographing other pets?

Changing the lens