Photography is one of the most important aspects of history. One of the ways we are able to reflect on history is through photography. Moments in history, childhood memories, culture, places, things, life activities, fashion, art etc are captured and preserved sometimes with photography.
When looking at a picture, it’s easy to forget or not realise there’s a person behind the lens, someone who captured that moment we are staring at.
Historically, men have been the ones who dominated the photography/art industry and women were more often than not, the muse. This isn’t the case anymore and it is great to see women capture meaningful moments for various causes, purposes or even just as a hobby.
All photographs are memento mori. To take a photograph is to participate in another person’s (or thing’s) mortality, vulnerability, mutability. Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.
Susan Sontag
Here are some women documentary photographers who are using their work to impact and make a difference.
Greta Rico
Documentary photographer focused on issues of gender and human rights.
Fatemeh Khajehnouri
Documentary photographer focused on representation of social issues in Iran especially related to women.
Cansu Yıldıran
Photographer focused on discrimination against class, culture, gender and sexual identity.
Tshepiso Mabula ka Ndongeni
Writer, documentary and art photographer focusing on history and social issues.
Fatima Shbair
Palestinian photojournalist focused on documenting stories, cultures and social issues.
Emli Bendixen
Photographer who mainly shoots people, food, nature and interested in projects that support rights of LGBTQ+ and POC.
Cristina Baussan
Documentary photographer and writer focusing on social issues related to identity, youth culture, migration, and the relationships we forge with our closest environments.
Onyinye Muobuike
Vanessa Charlot
Documentary photographer whose work focuses on the intersectionality of race, spirituality, economics and sexual/gender expression.
Love Soulèy
Idara
Photographer whose work is ‘centered around storytelling, healing, and identity—all of which comes together to celebrate and amplify black voices.’
Solana Cain
Isadora Kosofsky
Annice Lyn
Documentary & sports photographer who visually documents stories on women, social and cultural issues.
Kreshonna Keane
Portrait photographer who uses her work to portray ‘juxtapositions between her subjects and the environment; meanwhile, addressing social stigmas, highlighting culture and celebrating life.’
Khadija Farah
Travel and documentary photographer focusing on issues from climate change to women. She is passionate about ‘stories which provide a ‘light bulb moment’ or challenge public discourse on a subject’.
Holly-Marie Cato
Irina Unruh
Documentary photographer who focuses mainly on the situation of women and young girls in her birth country Kyrgyzstan.
Taylor Brumfield
A photographer who specializes in commercial beauty and product photography.
Mahaneela
Her work ‘explores the themes of diaspora history, music and culture with a focus on the black experience and emphasis on depicting black and brown people in odes of joy ad happiness.’
Kavozia Glynn
Visual artist with interest in creative storytelling and fine art photography.
Etinosa Osayimwen
Documentary photographer and visual artist whose primary focus is on exploring and expressing themes related to the human condition and social injustice.