When it comes to having a signature editing style, Breyona Holt nails it. In this episode, Qurissy chats with Breyona about how she found her style through play, experimentation, and listening to the positive feedback that came her way. Breyona reflects on the influence of late ‘90s and early 2000s music videos—the best era, period—and how those visuals helped shape her artistic eye.

The two dive into Breyona’s love for the handy dandy Olympus camera and the power of getting back to basics. And if you know Qurissy, you know she loves an archive—so naturally, they talk about Breyona’s family archive and how it keeps her inspired and grounded.

This one’s for all the girls named Briana, born in the ‘90s, who grew up on Missy Elliott videos and now keep a camera in their bag. Lol 

Shoot Yo Shot:

Rhianna - you have til the end of the year to get Breyona on a set!

Topicals - let’s reconnect on a marketing campaign!

You can find Breyona on her website,  instagram, or twitter!

Watch/Listen to Photographer Life Check ⁠⁠⁠on Youtube , Apple, Spotify Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, 

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠, & TikTok

Photographer Life Check is a BWP Network Original

SHAWTY IS A TEN! Dakotah Whiting teaches us how to be a good guest while traveling and shooting in episode TEN! Guys, we’re in the double digits!! What a milestone. To celebrate, we deep dived into some of Dakotah’s travels and how she navigates photography ethically in other countries. She gave us practical tips on how to pack, apps to use, and how to talk to strangers who may not speak your language! Plus, back stories on some of her favorite places and how she grew from forcing herself to be a little uncomfortable.

Dakotah’s Gems: 

Rome2rio app

Google translator apps

Flat fanny pack for travel 

Build your kit

• Walking shoes, sandals

• Zip up pants/shorts

• Microfiber towels

• Bring your own lock

• Antibacterial panties water resistant 

Build your Photo kit

• 35mm, 85mm, 50mm lenses

• Compact camera

• laptop

How to make $$$

Reaching out ahead of time to tour guide companies, hotels, soccer teams, whatever you’re interested in shooting

Shoot Yo Shot: boyfriend’s family 🥹

You can find Dakotah at: www.dakotahwhiting.com

Watch/Listen to Photographer Life Check ⁠⁠⁠on Youtube , Apple, Spotify Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, 

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠, & TikTok
Photographer Life Check is a BWP Network Original

On this week’s episode Qurissy talks to Kayla Sullers, the Eastside Chicagoan, Filmmaker and Cinematographer! Our convo was largely about her commitment to education and mentorship for aspiring filmmakers, emphasizing the importance of representation and support for future generations. We followed Kayla as she let us in on her journey of becoming a cinematographer, getting inducted into the Local 600, & her dreams of building a cinematic lens - potentially the first Black woman made cinematic lens? We’ll do more research!

Get involved with Visionaries in Motion, Kayla’s educational filmmaking project through BBTL.

Chicago Artist-Based Programs: 

True Star Foundation

Fresh Films at Roosevelt University

John Walt Foundation

Illinois Media School

Sisters in Cinema - workshops with  Courtney Edwards, Chan C. Smith

Learn about the BlackWing7 Lens at Tribe. By Bradford Young & Neil Fanthom

Listen to Kayla’s late stepfather, Chicago Poet, Armen Rah.

Shoot Yo Shot: TDE , Beyonce, Kamala Harris (AGAIN), Issa Rae & Hoorae - tap tap tap in!

You can find Kayla at: instagram, website, IMDB, Bookings: [email protected] Follow BBTL on instagram or like she said - GOOGLE ME!

Watch/Listen to Photographer Life Check ⁠⁠⁠on Youtube , Apple, Spotify Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, 

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠, & TikTok

Photographer Life Check is a BWP Network Original.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE! Amandla shares her experiences with spirituality, community, and the influence of her revolutionary family background on her artistic vision. Our conversation delves into the importance of expressing emotions, the role of humanity in art, and the complexities of representation in media. We go into the darkness & back into the light throughout this entire conversation.

Find Amandla on Instagram or her website

Support Amandla’s film! 

Follow For Peace of Mind Film on Instagram

Amandla’s Inspirations: Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Octavia Butler, & Herrana

Amandla’s Reads:  Echo Tree by Henry Dumas, 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Shoot Yo Shot: Viola Davis, Whoopi Goldberg - a cover feature shot by Amandla would be crazy!!

Ramadan Mubarak to all who observe!

Watch/Listen to  Photographer Life Check ⁠⁠⁠on Youtube , Apple, Spotify Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, 

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠, & TikTok

Photographer Life Check is a BWP Network Original.

In this week’s episode host Qurissy sits down with cinematographer Sade Ndya! We explore Ndya’s journey in the film industry, the importance of community organizing, and the challenges faced as a Black woman in cinematography. We get technical with her favorite lenses and show love to Belize! Her home country! Sade also laced us with her secret sauce - lots of warming & cooling filters.

You can find her at https://www.sadendya.co/, instagram,  Made in Her Image - or you can catch us all at Arthouse Film Lab fr.

Sade’s deck for Soñadora & the talk she did with B&H!

Sade’s reads: Soul of A Nation, The New Black Vanguard, any book on color theory 

Shoutout  to Tru - the master of sound! And Trey the gaffer 

Shoot Yo Shot: Doechiiiiiii - a photographer’s fave already! 

Watch/Listen to Photographer Life Check ⁠⁠⁠on Youtube , Apple, Spotify Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, 

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠, & TikTok

Photographer Life Check is a BWP Network Original.

Shoutout to our first Pulitzer Prize Finalist guest, Professor of Photography, courtney coles! We dive into courtney’s ongoing photo series “Momma”, becoming a pulitzer prize finalist, & how people be gay!! Shoutout to Quinta Brunson! Professor Coles speaks passionately about her students, her teaching approach, & how to engage with subjects.

You can find courtney in the middle of the dance floor underneath a disco ball. Or on her instagram, website, or linkedin if you’re looking for a new professor to tenure at your university. But really she’s probably just at a coffee shop.

Courtney’s Pulitzer nominated work:

The Tulsa Race Massacre 100 Years Later

The Dreams of Jack & Daisy Scott

Courtney’s tattoo artist: KD Diamond 

Courtney listening to: Taylor Swift - Mirrorball  & Muna - What I Want 

Another milestone was made in this episode – our first re-recording! Wow, our newborn podcast is really growing yall. I’m so proud. 

Follow Photographer Life Check wherever you get your podcasts and ⁠⁠⁠on Youtube , ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠, & TikTok. And wherever you get your podcasts!

Photographer Life Check is a BWP Network Original.

So excited to have our first Chicago native guest on the pod!  Maya Iman joins us to talk about how the last couple of years have been all about *the pivot*—and how sometimes, letting go of control is the best move. As artists, we’re always switching hats, adapting, and figuring it out as we go, and Maya’s journey—from Chicago to LA and beyond—is a perfect example of that.  

I think this is our first couple shoutouts on the pod with friends of the show Trokon & Domo! Yall know we love a milestone here

You can find Maya Iman on Linkedin, Instagram, or her website MayaIman.com.

Make sure yall check out the work of Adrienne Raquel, Joshua Kissi, Renell Medrano, & Tyler Mitchell for more inspiration.

Savage Fenty tap in with Maya!

Profoto, holla at us!

Follow Photographer Life Check wherever you get your podcasts and ⁠⁠⁠on ⁠TikTok⁠ & ⁠Instagram⁠. 

Photographer Life Check is a BWP Network Original.

This week, we talk with Mckayla Chandler about the thoughtful steps she’s taking—both behind the lens and beyond it—to archive her family’s images and creative work. We also dive into her incredible photo series Mo’Betta and explore the unique ways she plays with art to tell her story.  

And don’t forget to stream the classic Midwest Mobstaz mixtape featuring her cousin Skee Balla!

You can follow, hire, or reach McKayla IRL, on her website, or instagram.

Follow Photographer Life Check ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠,  ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, wherever you get your podcasts!

Photographer Life Check is a BWP Network Original.

On today’s episode, we sit down with Kelli Scates to explore her journey to owning a photo studio and how others can bring their own studio dreams to life. But it’s not all fun and photoshoots—we get real about the challenges Kelli has faced to keep her studio running. Along the way, we dive into her path as an artist and hear a little bit about her upcoming photobook, Where Do We Go From Here.

You can find The Urban Gypsy affirmation tees and journals here.

Plus, artistry runs in the family, make sure you give Waiting to Exhale soundtrack a relisten this week to show her dad some love too!

You can follow, hire, or reach Kelli at:

⁠kscatesstudios.com⁠

Instagram

Tiktok

Youtube

Follow Photographer Life Check wherever you get your podcasts and ⁠on TikTok & Instagram. 

Photographer Life Check is a BWP Network Original.

In this episode of Photographer Life Check, host Qurissy engages in a deep conversation with photographer Rashida about her unique approach to creativity, the influence of music and spirituality in her work, and the importance of introspection. They discuss the challenges of balancing personal and commercial photography, the significance of setting boundaries, and the lessons learned from mistakes in the field. Rashida also shares her aspirations for her new studio and her desire to create a community-driven space for artistic collaboration.

You can follow, hire, or reach Rashida on herwebsite orinstagram.

Media Mentions:

Mahlia - Pretty White Lies

God is My Creative Director Podcast 

Follow Photographer Life Check wherever you get your podcasts and⁠⁠⁠on ⁠TikTok⁠ &⁠Instagram⁠. 

Photographer Life Check is a BWP Network Original.