Format is pleased to showcase the work of the grand prize winner Alexandra Obochi and the five runners-up of the Online Portfolio Giveaway & Grant in partnership with Black Women Photographers (BWP). The aim of our partnership is to create visibility for the talents of BWP members while augmenting their businesses with accessible portfolio tools, a free webinar, and supporting the community through grants and prizes funded by Format.
Black Women Photographers disrupts the notion that it is difficult to discover and commission Black creatives. Established in July 2020 by Polly Irungu, BWP is a global community, directory, and hub of over 2,100 Black women and non-binary-identifying photographers spanning over 60+ countries and 35+ U.S. states.
Dedicated to providing a resource for the industry’s gatekeepers, BWP supports its members by promoting their work in an active database distributed to brands, photo editors, directors, curators, and art buyers.
In addition to supporting the grand prize winner through a free lifetime subscription to Format and a monetary prize, Format has provided the runners-up one free year and is featuring their websites within our community, celebrating their work. This prize aligns with Format’s efforts to promote an inclusive community of current and future photographers by providing members of BWP with a professional online presence to support their growing businesses. Format also provides a special discount for BWP community members signing up for a new website plan–visit the BWP member community for details. If you’re not already a member, you can apply here to join the community.
Grand Prize winner: Alexandra Obochi
Alexandra Obochi is a multidisciplinary creative with skills spanning across many disciplines, including photography, creative/art direction, professional makeup artistry, and content creation. She is currently living and working in Abuja, Nigeria.
Alexandra’s work is focused on representing and documenting queer living in a society where queerness has been marginalized and stigmatized. Celebrating diversity, resilience, and the power of self-expression while striving to shed light on the beauty, strength, and authenticity of LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria.
Alexandra’s work is strongly inspired by culture. The realities of being an Igbo woman, uplifting black skin, and an exploration of Igbo culture serve as a bridge between the past and the present–blending traditional elements with contemporary narratives.
In 2023, Alexandra’s works were part of the A WA NIBI exhibition by Matthew Blaise and Kampnagel Hamburg. She also was among the 2nd class of grantees for the Black Women Photographers and Nikon USA grant in 2023. Her work has been shown in Times Square for NFT NYC in 2022 and around New York for the Fewocious x Saveartspace public art view and other exhibitions. She is not only a part of Black Women Photographers but can also be found listed in the African journalist database and Nigerian photographers hub.
Get inspired by more of Alexandra’s work in her Format portfolio: https://alexandraobochi.format.com/
Portfolio Giveaway Runners-up:
Looking for more inspiration? Check out the work and portfolios of the five runners-up:
Awo Renni
Awo Renni is a freelance documentary and nature photographer who began her photography
career in 2019. Renni fuels her passion for storytelling and adventure behind the lens, capturing the beauty of everyday life with authenticity. With her storytelling brand RenniStories, she narrates the stories of everyday people, communities, and other stories that need telling.
Over the years, she has worked on projects with the UN, Al Jazeera, Russia TV, and the European Press Photo Agency. Her art has been published in The Republic Journal. In July 2023, she hosted her first solo exhibition, “We Are Timeless.“
“Through my art, I prioritize collaboration and celebrate the beauty of people. Photography is a universal language that builds connections and inspires others.” – Renni
Get inspired by more of Renni’s work in her Format portfolio: http://aworenni.com/
Coltan Kubiangha
Coltan Kubiangha is a Nigerian Photojournalist and visual storyteller whose practice focuses on documenting Nigerians living with genetic conditions such as Neurofibromatosis and Trichoepithelioma through portraiture. The portraits serve as a way to create awareness and improve the manner in which people experiencing these genetic conditions are perceived and treated by society.
Family, grief, and the exploration of self are recurring themes in their work. Their practice also focuses significantly on the documentation of indigenous cultures in Nigeria as a means of creating archival visual history of these cultures for the future, while increasing connection with the culture and traditions in the present.
Kubiangha holds a Bsc in Geography and Environmental Science with a Major in Tourism Studies from the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Their photographs from the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria have been published in Aljazeera English (2021). As a self identifying nonbinary person, they have been interviewed by Oprah Daily Magazine on what Pride means to Queer photographers (2022).
Get inspired by more of Coltan’s work in their Format portfolio: http://coltankubiangha.com/
Edoghogho Ugiagbe
Edoghogho Joy Ugiagbe, a Nigerian-born street photographer based in the Bronx, New York, delves into the essence of urban life through her lens. Her work captures raw emotions and fleeting moments with authenticity and depth, drawing inspiration from her Nigerian heritage and experiences in the Bronx.
Edoghogho is dedicated to amplifying voices often marginalized by mainstream media, shedding light on the diversity and richness of human experiences. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, her photography serves as a powerful tool for advocacy and social change, fostering a deeper connection and understanding within communities. Her images not only document reality but also inspire viewers to see the world from different perspectives, leaving a lasting impact on all who encounter her work.
Her first solo show, “Baltimore – Neighborhood Watch,” was part of the Bromo Arts District Art Walk in May 2024.
Get inspired by more of Edoghogho’s work in her Format portfolio: www.ohmyjoyyy.com
Lace Garrett
Lace Garrett is a freelance photographer from St. Louis, currently based in Chicago. Her passion for photography began in college and continued in this pursuit post-graduation. Specializing in portraiture, lifestyle, and concert photography, she also photographs corporate events, headshots, celebrations, set photography, and more.
Her fascination with natural light initially inspired her creative journey. She believes one single photo can tell a story and endeavors to do so each time she’s behind the lens. Lace strives to create imagery that will leave a mark on its viewers and encourages her clients to live in the moment.
Get inspired by more of Lace’s work in her Format portfolio: https://www.createwithlace.com/
Norkor Nortey
Norkor Nortey is a Ghanaian documentary photographer deeply curious about how African women navigate, take up space, and thrive in today’s world. In her art practice, women are the protagonists, laying claim to their personal histories and visual culture.
Norkor earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Design from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2019. She also graduated from the Dikan Center–Africa’s first and largest photography library–as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Photojournalism & Documentary Practice Program and is the recipient of the Outstanding Student Award.
Her first body of work, “Her Pulpit” was on exhibition at the Dikan Center in Accra, Ghana, where she is currently based.
Get inspired by more of Norkor’s work in her Format portfolio: https://www.norkornortey.com/
Feature image in this article by Alexandra Obochi.
EN 
FR 
ES 
PT 
DE 