Her Story
About Yvette
I'm a freelance photographer who chooses the projects I want to work on. I do documentary photography with a focus on social justice, and I collaborate with other female photographers as part of a group. My day-to-day work involves spending time out shooting and taking photos, as well as processing them, submitting them, and doing post-production work, which takes considerable time. I also spend time networking and going through Instagram with a focus on photographers. I'm more of a night owl and love not having to be up for work, so when I do have appointments, I usually schedule them for the afternoon. Each day is different because I make my own schedule. I've been published in different photo magazines and featured in some shows, and there's usually a publication put together for exhibitions. I'm currently working on two different photo books - one is a photo essay book and the other is more of a memoir. The memoir project, called Atlanta Memoir, combines my career in education with my photography and features then-and-now photos and stories of children I worked with in a public housing project in Atlanta during graduate school, showing how successful they became and flying in the face of stereotypes about people of color and people who were on welfare.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Yvette
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think that opportunity and preparedness have helped me along the way, in balance. I believe in staying open to possibilities, because everything changes. You might be discouraged one day, and the next day you'll get some big call or something that will support you unexpectedly. I've learned to follow my own path and stay open to the possibilities. This approach has really supported what I said about being open to possibilities, because I was able to combine my interests in social justice with education, and now with photography.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is probably, if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. This has really guided my journey from education to photography, and it's why I'm so fulfilled now doing the work I'm passionate about.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Believe in yourself. Everything changes. You might be discouraged one day, and the next day you'll get some big call or something that will support you unexpectedly. Just stay open and follow your own path, and stay open to the possibilities. I think that opportunity and preparedness, in balance, help you along the way. So my advice is to remain open to where your journey takes you and be prepared when opportunities arise.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge is finding the exposure, having gallery shows or museum exhibitions. That's both a goal and a challenge. There's a lot of pay-to-play, like entering competitions, and then if you're selected, you get an exhibit, but you've had to pay for that exposure. The costs of printing and framing and all of that make it difficult for people who don't have the means. But the opportunities are tremendous for meeting people and engaging with the world. I've met wonderful, supportive friends through photography, and I've learned a lot myself in the field about the world and about others. It's just been very fulfilling. It's a way to put my vision out and my messages I want to send to the world, so that opportunity is there.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Social justice is important to me. That's why I do documentary photography with a focus on social justice. I value being inclusive and supportive. I attempt to do work that has a message, a positive message for people. Creativity is something I value deeply as well. These values guide both my photography work and my personal life, and they've been consistent throughout my career, from my work in education focused on the best interests of children to my current photography projects.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · North Carolina
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.