Authenticity can be a real struggle when you’re surrounded by so many beautiful images—so much color, so much talent, and so many different perspectives. As a photographer, I have to remind myself that imposter syndrome is real, and sometimes it kicks my a**.

How do you stay authentic when you’re constantly inspired by what you see? How do you remain true to your own vision when there’s always something breathtaking right in front of you, especially on social media?

Honestly, I wish I had a perfect answer. For me, it’s about finding a balance—paying homage to the artists and work that inspire me without overstepping or copying. It’s about respecting the originality of others while finding my own path.

Recently, I came across the October Essence magazine cover featuring Serena Williams. The images, shot by photographer Jessica Madavo, were stunning—Serena in a LaQuan Smith piece, commanding attention. It lit a spark in me. I wanted to try something inspired by that shoot, so I reached out to a few models and gave it my best shot.

Here’s the backstory: I left my lighting stand at a previous photoshoot (rookie mistake!), so I had to hold my light manually while capturing the images. It wasn’t ideal, but honestly? It added a layer of spontaneity to the shoot. The session turned out to be an amazing experience, and I’m incredibly proud of the results.

For the first time in a long time, I felt free in my editing process. I allowed myself to explore—color grading in bold ways, leaning into deep shadows, and playing with high contrast in nontraditional styles. The freedom to create without restriction was exhilarating, and the results are some of my proudest work to date.

For me, this project marked a turning point. I finally felt like I was seeing where fashion and fine art collide in my work. It’s taken time, trial, and moments of doubt to get here, but I’m proud of what I created. I’m proud of me.