Five Photographers Discuss Why Documenting the Black Lives Matter Protests is Important to Them

The Black Lives Matter movement is arguably one of the most significant political and social movements in US history. The photographers in this video sit down to share their thoughts on why photographing the BLM movement is important to them, personally, as well as for posterity.

Coming from minority communities, each of these photographers are acutely aware of the importance of listening to what is being said before bringing the camera up to their respective eye. They're not passive observers taking strictly photojournalist images, they're a part of the protests. It's deeply personal to them, and that comes across in their images. 

I found Tahiti Abdul's perspective of people's need/want of anonymity particularly creative and considerate. By carefully choosing to use black and white for photographing protests, not only can she create impactful images, but as she states in the video, she can also selectively use contrast to help hide any possible identifying features of her subjects. Her use of color for portraits then adds a softer layer to her body of work. In a way, it helps to contextualize the protest photos while also creating an overall cohesive and intimate story.

Links to the other photographers' Instagram profiles:

Aaron Agyapong

Roger S. Echegoyen-Araujo

Duane Garay

Andy Jeronimo

Have you been photographing the protests or any other aspect of the BLM movement? Let us know in the comments.

Mike O'Leary's picture

Mike is a landscape and commercial photographer from, Co. Kerry, Ireland. In his photographic work, Mike tries to avoid conveying his sense of existential dread, while at the same time writing about his sense of existential dread. The last time he was in New York he was mugged, and he insists on telling that to every person he meets.

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This is important work. I'm pleased to see these photographers doing what every generation must in a time of crisis...capturing the moments. Some of the comments sadden me concerning Black Lives Matter. I have attended and documented several rallies here in Utah and they always start the same. Black Lives Matter leadership addresses the crowd asking for a peaceful demonstration and to respect the law. They tell everyone if you are here for trouble please leave because it hurts the cause. And they ask the crowd to photograph and identify anyone looking or causing trouble and to get it to law enforcement! I don't know what else they can do. But for those voices speaking out against the Black Lives Matter I suspect it really doesn't matter. This country was born in the fires of white supremacy and they won't tolerate that supremacy questioned. They won't raise their voices when injustice is perpetrated time and time again against minorities for all to see, nothing but a deep silence and that silence is only broken to support the police or para-military forces. There is no empathy, no trying to see what it is like to be in our shoes because they DON"T want to be in our shoes. Even if I'm poor at least I'm not black. That is called privilege. That is called benefiting from and supporting a system of oppression that works for you. It truly doesn't matter whether we (minorities) peacefully protest, silently kneel or attempt to vote, history shows time and again we are always met with the iron fist. I served the military and retired after 20 years, mostly overseas and I now live in back in my own country where my allegiance, indeed my humanity are questioned because of the pigmentation of my skin and that I peacefully exercise my constitutional rights, a constitution that I pledged to uphold even for those speaking out against Black Lives Matter. Ironic is it not? Black Lives Matter is the least of your problems. It is the hypocrisy of this system of white supremacy perpetrated from the founding of this country I love that is killing us all.

Mark, thanks for posting that perspective on BLM. I think what they need to do now is be more public about opposing rioting and destruction. They're losing their credibility because of association with lawbreakers.

Jim funny you should mention that! https://youtu.be/llci8MVh8J4

Important to them, yes! Important to me, no!

So powerful! I have also been documenting the black lives matter protests in the Bay Area and also Washington DC. @iamkamalx

I'd like to be able to go just to document all the criminal activity.