Jemella Ukaegbu: It's Okay to be the First

SheClicks Women in Photography

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This episode of the SheClicks Women in Photography Podcast features Jemella Ukaegbu, a photographer and the founder of UK Black Female Photographers. Jemella studied photography at university and received a first-class BA before starting her own photography business in 2013, focusing on family, maternity, and wedding photography.
Jemella created the UK Black Female Photographers community to support and celebrate black female photographers in the UK. The group has grown from a few photographers meeting up socially to over 500 members strong, putting on exhibitions, workshops, and more. Jemella discusses the challenges of starting the group but finds her proudest achievement is the sisterhood and growth it has fostered among members.
In the podcast, Jemella shares her photography journey from being inspired by photos her mother took to pursuing it as a career after realizing other options were not a good fit. She discusses navigating university as one of the only black students and being diagnosed with dyslexia, finding strength and support to persevere. Jemella also discusses balancing her thriving business and vibrant community while raising two children as a self-employed mother.
Listeners learn Jemella's top tips for staying inspired in her work after 10 years, from being willing to change and try new things to only taking on jobs that bring her joy. She also advises aspiring black female photographers to focus on their purpose and know their worth despite a potential lack of role models or qualifications. Overall, the episode gives an inspiring look at Jemella's photography path and her efforts to support other women through UK Black Female Photographers.
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UK Black Female Photographers
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Chapters

1. Introductions (00:00:00)

2. The importance of print (00:03:36)

3. No black female role models (00:07:39)

4. Getting started in photography business (00:09:14)

5. Keeping things fresh (00:17:17)

6. Creating the UK Black Female Photographers community (00:20:33)

7. Advice for aspiring black female photographers (00:32:14)

8. Six from SheClicks (00:33:20)

9. Dealing with dyslexia (00:37:56)