There are some photographers who use the camera to document history and life in its natural state. And there are others who use the camera as a starting point to a larger idea. Nichole Washington rarely stops at the photographic image, which in her case, is often empowering portraiture of Black women. Once she photographs them she then proceeds to paint, draw, and write symbols all over the portrait to add another layer of messaging. It makes her work unique and identifiable. Her style has landed her commissioned jobs with Black Girls Code, Refinery29, The New Yorker, and HBO.