Welcome to episode eleven of Photo Mama Podcast – conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. In today's podcast, we are pleased to welcome Mumbi Muturi, a versatile artist who happens to be a photographer, director and painter based in Nairobi, Kenya. 

Her journey to becoming an established artist was far from conventional, fueled by an unwavering determination to perfect her craft and express her storytelling passion through both the lens and canvas. It all began with Mumbi's self-taught exploration of the fundamentals, a pivotal moment crystallized during a transformative camping trip alongside fellow Kenyan photographers. This experience taught her to view her work with a discerning and detached eye.

From there, Mumbi embarked on a journey of artistic experimentation, resulting in her striking 'Tarot Imagined' series, and a dedicated focus on harnessing the profound power of human emotion through her visual storytelling. Through her mastery of light manipulation, Mumbi skillfully draws out the very essence of her subjects, showcasing their souls with a refined interplay of contrast.

Her work delves deep into the dynamic between humanity and its surroundings, exploring the poignant interplay between people and nature. Resilience and strength radiate from her images, whether in stillness or motion. The bold use of colour serves as a metaphor for the profound emotions and the human condition.

Mumbi's exceptional talent has garnered recognition, with her photography and watercolour paintings gracing the walls of the esteemed One-Off Gallery in Nairobi, Kenya. Additionally, she is a proud member of influential communities such as African Women Photographers, Black Women Photographers, and is a featured photographer in the Diversify Photo Up Next initiative.

Furthermore, Mumbi's remarkable contributions have been acknowledged by the Adobe Stock Development Fund, a testament to her impact in the world of visual storytelling. You can explore more of her work on her website, which will be in the show notes.

Mumbi is a stay-at-home mom with 4 kids. 

Don't forget to connect with Mumbi here:

Website: https://mumbi-muturi.format.com/

Instagram: @mumbi_muturi

LinkedIn: https://ke.linkedin.com/in/mumbi-muturi-404585211

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Here are some of the resources mentioned in the podcast:

African Women Photographers - https://www.africanwomeninphotography.org/

Black Women Photographers - https://blackwomenphotographers.com/

Diversify Photo Up Initiative - https://diversify.photo/up-next/kenya/

One-Off Gallery, Nairobi - https://www.oneoffcontemporaryartgallery.com/

Tarot Re-Imagined - https://mumbi-muturi.format.com/tarot-re-imagined

Legally Clueless Podcast - https://www.legallycluelessafrica.com/

Maya Amolo “Lush Green”  (First music video directed by Mumbi) - https://youtu.be/aA3VJZQc7Qo?si=eVMgldfgH5Htt9sE

Exhibition at Goethe Institut, Nairobi - https://www.goethe.de/ins/ke/en/ver.cfm?event_id=25087827

Adobe Stock Development Fund 2021 Recipient - https://pages.adobe.com/stock/en/advocates/artists/mumbi-muturi

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Join the Photo Mama Podcast community here: www.photomamapodcast.com

Follow us here

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@photomamapod

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And if you have a story to share, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9NZqARrr59es9MDC9

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and tune in for our next episode. Thank you for joining us and for listening! 

Welcome to episode ten of Photo Mama Podcast – conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. In this episode, we are joined by Anna Gordon, a highly experienced editorial and portrait photographer with over 20 years of experience in the field. 

Anna has worked with some of the biggest names in the media industry, including The Guardian, The Financial Times, and the BBC. She began her career by taking photographs of Central and South America for various photo agencies, which allowed her to learn Spanish along the way. 

Anna then went on to train as a photojournalist at a group of local North London newspapers before working for the national news media. In addition to her work in the media, Anna is also a regular contributor to charitable organisations such as Save the Children and the Red Cross. 

Recently, Anna has successfully pitched, written, and photographed some photo essays for The Guardian, and her work can be seen regularly in national newspapers, books, and magazines both in the UK and worldwide. 

Anna is also the proud mother of two children, aged 13 and 9.

Don't forget to connect with Anna here:Website: https://www.annagordon.co.uk

Instagram: @annaggordon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-gordon-58973716/

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Here are some of the resources mentioned in the podcast:

Anna’s photo essays / imagesFemale freemasons: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/20/britain-female-freemasons-women-grand-lodge-photo-essay

Antique Roadshows: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jul/05/treasures-in-the-loft-an-antiques-roadshow-photo-essay

Rape & Sexual Assault Crisis: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/feb/23/he-stole-my-childhood-how-three-women-banded-together-and-took-down-their-rapist

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Join the Photo Mama Podcast community here: www.photomamapodcast.com

Follow us here

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photomamapod/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/photomamapod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@photomamapod

Telegram: https://t.me/+xQSGcrwj9QsyMmQ0

And if you have a story to share, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9NZqARrr59es9MDC9

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and tune in for our next episode. Thank you for joining us and for listening! 

Welcome to the Photo Mama Podcast - conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. Co-hosts Iko-Ọjọ Mercy Haruna and Elsie Kibue-Ngare aim to have conversations with mothers who are also photographers. 

In this episode, we reflect on what a year 2023 has been to us personally and as your hosts for this podcast. We are also using this opportunity to thank our guests and subscribers for their support this far. We cannot wait to share with you more stories in 2024.

Happy Holidays and may you have a very Prosperous New Year!

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Join the Photo Mama Podcast community here: www.photomamapodcast.com

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Subscribe now and never miss an episode!

Welcome to episode eight of Photo Mama Podcast – conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. In this episode, we are joined by Ashley Esposito or Ash as her friends like to call her. She was born in Massachusetts but spent most of her childhood in Southern Arizona. Now her family is at home in Baltimore City. 

Ash has a Bachelor’s degree in Software Development and Security. She is a self-taught photographer, graphic designer and artist. Her photography style is very candid and she loves photographing activism and community mutual aid events. 

Ash is a mom of a 2-year-old boy who loves dinosaurs.

Don't forget to connect with Ashley here:Website: https://www.littleboxofrandom.com/Instagram: @littleboxofrandom

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Here are some of the resources mentioned in the podcast:

Brittney Cooper ‘Eloquent Rage’ - https://amzn.eu/d/8qbl4Nw

Tommy Orange ‘There There’ - https://amzn.eu/d/hfClm1R

DISCLAIMER: This is not a paid-for advertisement. We purchased any products mentioned. Some affiliate links may be used in the description above of brands, products and services we have used and would recommend. This means that if you click on any one of them to make a purchase, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You are not obliged to click on any of the links, but if you do and make a purchase, we thank you for your support!

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Join the Photo Mama Podcast community here: www.photomamapodcast.com

Follow us here

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photomamapod/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/photomamapod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@photomamapod

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And if you have a story to share, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9NZqARrr59es9MDC9

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and tune in for our next episode. Thank you for joining us! 

Welcome to episode seven of Photo Mama Podcast – conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. In this episode, we are joined by Dominique Nok, a Black female portrait photographer and curator who was born in Paramaribo, Suriname in the West Indies.

With more than 20 years of experience as a commercial photographer, she has been a magazine editor and has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a Master's in Curating. She also judges photography and art competitions and occasionally writes for a photography magazine. 

Her photographic work has been featured in the Guardian, BBC Midlands, ITV.com, various business Dutch magazines, and The Voice of Holland, and has been exhibited at Midland Art Centre, Deptford does Art, London – Harris Museum, Preston, The Photography Show, Birmingham, and FUJIFILM House of Photography. 

Her curatorial career started with the exhibition ‘We Are Here’ for UKBFTOG (UK Black Female Photographers) in Walsall. Since then she created platforms for talented predominantly female (identifying) visual artists. At Midlands Arts Centre she worked with individual artists and collectives such as Maryam Wahid, Sharon Walters, Mixed Rage Collective, Nilupa Yasmin, Grayson’s Art Club and Adeela Suleman. 

Dominique is passionate about contributing to conversations involving equal representation of female artists from the African diaspora and from Black, Asian and Global Majority heritage.

Eleven years ago, Dominique, along with her husband and two daughters, made the exciting move from Amsterdam to settle in London.

Don't forget to connect with Dominique here:Website: https://www.dominiquenok.com/Instagram: @dominiquenok

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Here are some of the resources mentioned in the podcast:

UK Black Female Photographers (UKBFTOG) - https://ukbftog.com/Jemella Ukaegbu ‘UKBFTOG Founder’ - https://www.mellzphotography.co.uk/

Fujifilm House of Photography - https://www.fujifilm-houseofphotography.com/

Photo Frome - https://photofrome.org/

Stuart Hall ‘Familiar Stranger’ - https://amzn.to/3Z2Pf39

Michael R. Van Vlymen ‘How To See In The Spirit’ - https://amzn.to/3P5nLoK

Brian Godawa ‘Noah Primeval’ - https://amzn.to/3sAHmFY

Julia Cameron ‘ The Artist Way’ - https://amzn.to/3qWBrKY

DISCLAIMER: This is not a paid-for advertisement. We purchased any products mentioned. Some affiliate links may be used in the description above of brands, products and services we have used and would recommend. This means that if you click on any one of them to make a purchase, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You are not obliged to click on any of the links, but if you do and make a purchase, we thank you for your support!

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Join the Photo Mama Podcast community here: www.photomamapodcast.com

Follow us here

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photomamapod/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/photomamapod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@photomamapod

Telegram: https://t.me/+xQSGcrwj9QsyMmQ0

And if you have a story to share, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9NZqARrr59es9MDC9

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and tune in for our next episode. Thank you for joining us! 

Welcome to episode six of Photo Mama Podcast – conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. In this episode, we are joined by Dianne, or Di as she prefers to be called, who is a photography teacher at a secondary school in South-East London. Di shares her experiences and insights on decolonising the curriculum within her teaching practice and her passion for photography. She also gives us a glimpse into her personal life as a dedicated mother to an energetic young boy. 

In this episode, Di also shares her ongoing projects, love for film photography and the challenges and joys of balancing work and motherhood.

Don't forget to connect with Di on Instagram @amazingblackartists to explore the incredible work of black artists and photographers. 

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Here are some of the resources mentioned in the podcast:

Amazing Black Artists - https://www.visiblediversity.com/

Adama Jalloh - https://www.adamajalloh.co.uk/work

Andi Gáldi Vinkó - https://andigv.com/

Rubee Samuel - https://www.twentyfourthirtysix.com/bookshop/p/omo-nigeria-standard-edition

Beryl Gilroy ‘Black Teacher’ - https://amzn.to/3NFIzTn

James Barnor Exhibition at the Serpentine - https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/james-barnor/

DISCLAIMER: This is not a paid-for advertisement. We purchased any products mentioned. Some affiliate links may be used in the description above of brands, products and services we have used and would recommend. This means that if you click on any one of them to make a purchase, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You are not obliged to click on any of the links, but if you do and make a purchase, we thank you for your support!

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Join the Photo Mama Podcast community here: www.photomamapodcast.com

Follow us here

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photomamapod/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/photomamapod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@photomamapod

Telegram: https://t.me/+xQSGcrwj9QsyMmQ0

And if you have a story to share, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9NZqARrr59es9MDC9

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and tune in for our next episode. Thank you for joining us! 

Welcome to episode five of Photo Mama Podcast – conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. In this episode, Mercy and I attended the Eye Mama: Poetic Truths of Home and Motherhood book launch at the Photo Book Cafe in London, where we got to speak with a few people who were involved in the book.

The book by Karni Arieli showcased motherhood from around the globe and it was released on the 8th of May. The book was officially launched on the 15th of May at the Centre of British Photographers with two further launches at the Photo Book Cafe in London on the 30th of May and at the Royal Photographic Society in Bristol on the 2nd of June 2023. 

There is an outdoor exhibition at the Royal Photographic Society and this will continue until August 2023.

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Follow the artists we spoke to here:

Dola - https://www.dolaposh.com/

Charlotte - https://envilleintown.com/

Karni / Eye Mama Project - https://eyemamaproject.com/

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Order the book here:

Karni Arieli ‘Eye Mama: Poetic Truths of Home and Motherhood’ - https://amzn.to/3pjoZUB

DISCLAIMER: This is not a paid-for advertisement. We purchased any products mentioned. Some affiliate links may be used in the description above of brands, products and services we have used and would recommend. This means that if you click on any one of them to make a purchase, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You are not obliged to click on any of the links, but if you do and make a purchase, we thank you for your support!

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Join the Photo Mama Podcast community here: www.photomamapodcast.com

Follow us here

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photomamapod/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/photomamapod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@photomamapod

Telegram: https://t.me/+xQSGcrwj9QsyMmQ0

And if you have a story to share, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9NZqARrr59es9MDC9

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and tune in for our next episode. Thank you for listening! 

Welcome to episode four of Photo Mama Podcast – conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Montreal-based photographer, Karene-Isabelle Jean-Baptiste, joining us. Karene has an incredible journey that led her from the world of engineering to becoming a full-time photographer, capturing the world around her with a keen eye for elusive moments of magic.

After working as an engineer for many years, Karene discovered her true passion for photography. She delves into scenes and human faces, seeking those fleeting moments that hold immense depth and feeling. Her goal is to immortalize these moments, allowing them to endure and reveal the often unnoticed emotions that lie beneath the surface.

Karene's exceptional talent and dedication have been recognized through numerous awards and grants. In 2021, she was awarded the Photojournalism Diversity Grant by the esteemed newspaper La Presse. The following year, she received one of the inaugural grants by Black Women Photographers and Nikon USA, a testament to her remarkable skills and vision.

One of Karene's noteworthy achievements includes being selected as a Woman of the Year 2020 by Best Health Magazine. This recognition was bestowed upon her for her powerful photo project centred around Black Women in Healthcare. Her work has garnered significant attention and has been featured in various prestigious publications.

Karene's expertise as a photographer is highly sought-after, and her client list reflects her exceptional skill set. Additionally, she recently received the prestigious American Photography 39 award for her captivating image titled "Under the Mimosa." Notably, this is the third time she has been honoured with this award, showcasing her consistent excellence in her craft.

Beyond her impressive professional accomplishments, Karene cherishes her role as a parent to two children, who are currently 14 and 11 years old. She embraces the fleeting nature of time and understands the importance of capturing and preserving precious moments.

In this episode, we delve into Karene's remarkable journey, exploring the inspirations behind her work, the challenges she has faced, and the transformative power of photography. Join us as we gain insight into the world of this talented photographer and discover the profound impact her work has on those who encounter it.

You can see her work at https://kareneisabelle.format.com/

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Here are some of the resources mentioned in the podcast:

Black Women’s Photographers - https://blackwomenphotographers.com/

Polly Irungu - https://www.instagram.com/pollyirungu/

Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex ‘Spare’ - https://amzn.to/3qqeUWi

DISCLAIMER: This is not a paid-for advertisement. We purchased any products mentioned. Some affiliate links may be used in the description above of brands, products and services we have used and would recommend. This means that if you click on any one of them to make a purchase, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You are not obliged to click on any of the links, but if you do and make a purchase, we thank you for your support!

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Join the Photo Mama Podcast community here: www.photomamapodcast.com

Follow us here

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photomamapod/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/photomamapod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@photomamapod

Telegram: https://t.me/+xQSGcrwj9QsyMmQ0

And if you have a story to share, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9NZqARrr59es9MDC9

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and tune in for our next episode. Thank you for joining us! 

Welcome to episode three of Photo Mama Podcast – conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. In this episode, we discuss mental health and how it affects us as mums and photographers.

May is Mental Health Month in the UK, and it's an important time to raise awareness and open up conversations about mental health., specifically focusing on anxiety as that is the theme for this year. The awareness week runs from the 15th to the 21st of May.

Photography is a highly creative and rewarding profession, but it can also come with its own unique set of challenges that can affect mental well-being. Combine that with being mums, juggling long hours of work and parenting, tight deadlines, and dealing with high-pressure situations, which can lead to stress, burnout, and anxiety.

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It's a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Anxiety can manifest in different ways for different people and can be triggered by various situations. In the context of photography, anxiety can be triggered by things like equipment failure, difficult clients, and creative blocks.

We spoke with each other about our experiences and how we cope with them, sharing some of our coping mechanisms.

It's important to remember that anxiety is a treatable condition, and there are several resources available to help manage it. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety or any other mental health condition, don't hesitate to seek professional help.

We hope this episode has been helpful in raising awareness and starting important conversations about mental health in relation to motherhood and photography. Remember to prioritise your mental well-being and take care of yourself, not just during Mental Health Month, but every day.

We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast as much as we enjoy creating it.

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*Correction* The Isaac Julien exhibition is at Tate Britain and not at Tate Modern as mentioned in the podcast.

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Here are some of the resources mentioned in the podcast:

Mel Robbins ‘The 5-Second Rule’ -  https://amzn.to/3M0JEo3

Photo Story #3: Motherhood & PND - https://youtu.be/L355au_fmf4

Offspring Project -  https://www.imharuna.com/offspring

Motherkind Podcast -  https://www.motherkind.co/podcast

Dr Oscar Serralach ‘The Post Natal Depletion Cure’ - https://amzn.to/3pgk06W

Insight Timer - https://insighttimer.com/en-gb

Calm - https://www.calm.com/app 

Headspace - https://www.headspace.com/

NHS Mental Health Services - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Noona’s Noonchi - https://noonasnoonchi.com/

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Join the Photo Mama Podcast community here: www.photomamapodcast.com

Follow us here

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photomamapod/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/photomamapod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@photomamapod

Telegram: https://t.me/+xQSGcrwj9QsyMmQ0

And if you have a story to share, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9NZqARrr59es9MDC9

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and tune in for our next episode. Thank you for joining us! 

Welcome to episode two of Photo Mama Podcast – conversations on all things motherhood, photography and life. In this episode, we discuss whether or not you should include "being a mum" on your professional bio on your website or social media. We talk about our individual struggles with the issue, changing trends regarding mothers in the workforce, mothers bearing the burden of childcare, and whether or not fathers include this info in their own bios, amongst other key points.

We hope you enjoy listening to our podcast as much as we enjoy creating it.

Join the Photo Mama Podcast community here: www.photomamapodcast.com

Follow us here

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photomamapod/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/photomamapod

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@photomamapod

Telegram: https://t.me/+xQSGcrwj9QsyMmQ0

And if you have a story to share, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/9NZqARrr59es9MDC9

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and tune in for our next episode.

Thank you for joining us!