Black Women Photographers

What Black Women Photographers does

Black Women Photographers (BWP) is a privately held non-profit organization founded in July 2020 by Polly Irungu. It operates as a global community, searchable directory, and support platform for Black and African women photographers, videographers, and cinematographers. The directory is the core product; it connects member creatives with brands, agencies, and publications seeking to hire diverse talent, with named enterprise customers including Adobe, Nikon, Getty Images, Nike, Live Nation Urban, World Athletics, Atlanta Dream, and TrackTown USA. BWP wraps the directory with adjacent programming—quarterly Nikon-funded grants ($2,500 cash plus camera kits), an annual free Adobe Lightroom-sponsored Summit, free online classes through The Essentials (co-developed with The Everyday Projects and PhotoWings), free portfolio reviews, photo walks, and a print-sales channel via Darkroom.

The business is membership-driven on the supply side and sponsorship-driven on the demand side. There is no proprietary technology stack; the platform runs on a Squarespace website with third-party integrations (Darkroom for print fulfillment, GoFundMe for donations). Membership pricing is not publicly disclosed, and the BWP Summit, The Essentials classes, and portfolio reviews are free to members. BWP reports member growth to 2,100+ across 60+ countries and 35 U.S. states, with $230,000+ in grants and $80,000+ in camera equipment provided cumulatively since founding. The organization is currently extending its directory into Videographers and Cinematographers (2026) and has launched a dedicated Black Women Creatives in Sports Summit, indicating deliberate product-surface expansion within its mission scope.

Name

Black Women Photographers

Legal name

Black Women Photographers

Website

https://blackwomenphotographers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Black Women Photographers is a non-profit global directory and community for Black and African women photographers, videographers, and cinematographers, connecting 2,100+ members across 60+ countries with brands seeking to hire diverse creative talent through grants, education, and a Summit.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Talent Directory

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (711410), Photographic Services (54192)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Creative Talent Booking (Photographers, Videographers, Content Creators) (HSACAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ), Photography & Videography (EDAAAGAF)

Keywords

• Creative talent directory
• Photographer community platform
• Diversity hiring network
• Photography grant programs
• Creative professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: BWP operates a membership program that provides access to the directory, grants, portfolio reviews, and community resources. Membership fees contribute to operational sustainability.
2. Grants and Donations: The organization receives funding from corporate partners (Nikon, Adobe) to distribute grants and equipment to members. Additional support comes through GoFundMe and general donations.
3. Print Sales: BWP offers print purchasing through Darkroom platform, allowing members to sell prints and generating revenue share.
4. Partnership Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors (Adobe Lightroom, Nikon) provide financial support for events, summits, and educational programming in exchange for brand association with the BWP community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Black Women Photographers operates a global online directory and community platform that connects Black and African women photographers, videographers, and cinematographers with brands, agencies, and publications seeking diverse creative talent. The organization offers paid annual memberships providing directory access, distributes quarterly cash grants and camera equipment through the BWP x Nikon Grant Fund, and runs free educational programming (The Essentials) and the annual BWP Summit. Brands hire creatives directly through the searchable directory and curated recommendations.

Product overview

Black Women Photographers (BWP) operates as a non-profit global community, directory, and support hub for Black and African women creatives. The organization functions as a platform-plus-modules architecture, combining a core directory of photographers with complementary services including grant programs (BWP x Nikon Grant Fund), educational resources (The Essentials, Color Grading Workshops), membership program, and events (Annual BWP Summit, Photo Walks, Black Women Creatives in Sports Summit). BWP is expanding its directory offerings to include Videographers (2026) and Cinematographers (2026) directories, extending its mission to serve a broader range of visual creatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Directory of Photographers A searchable global online directory connecting clients and collaborators with Black women photographers. Members create profiles showcasing their portfolios, specialties, and contact information; brands can browse and contact creatives directly.
• BWP x Nikon Grant Fund Quarterly grant program awarding $2,500 USD cash plus a Nikon Z6III 24-70mm f/4 lens kit to selected Black women photographers, supported by Nikon as core partner. Applications are free.
• Annual BWP Summit Free annual conference bringing together Black women photographers and creatives for panels, workshops, portfolio reviews, and networking. Sponsored by Adobe Lightroom.
• The Essentials Free online photography classes providing foundational photography education to Black women photographers, covering technical skills and creative techniques. Co-developed with The Everyday Projects and PhotoWings.
• Membership Program Paid annual membership program offering access to the directory listing, grants, portfolio reviews, community events, and exclusive resources for Black women photographers and creatives. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.
• Directory of Videographers Directory service expanding BWP's platform to include Black women videographers, providing searchable profiles for brands seeking video creative talent.
• Directory of Cinematographers Directory service expanding BWP's platform to include Black women cinematographers, providing searchable profiles for film and motion picture creative talent.
• Black Women Creatives in Sports Summit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $230,000 in financial grants awarded
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NikoncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Ongoing BWP x Nikon Grant Fund providing quarterly $2,500 cash grants plus Nikon Z6III camera kits to Black women photographers. Partnership represents BWP's flagship grant program supporting creative development. Multiple grant classes have been awarded across five years.
• Adobe Photoshop LightroomcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025Adobe Lightroom sponsors the annual BWP Summit and provides educational content. Partnership powers the free annual summit featuring portfolio reviews and networking for Black women creatives.
• The Everyday ProjectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Strategic partnership for The Essentials free online education series. Co-develops curriculum and provides industry expertise for photography and visual journalism training.
• PhotoWingscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Partnership for The Essentials educational series providing free online classes in visual storytelling and photography business skills.
• Live Nation UrbanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment partnership connecting BWP members with music and entertainment industry photography opportunities.
• Ari LennoxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArtist collaboration for tour documentation and behind-the-scenes photography creating professional opportunities for BWP members.
• TrackTown USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports industry partnership providing track and field photography opportunities for BWP members.
• International Center of Photography (ICP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for community meet-up events (Cameras and Coffee series) hosted at ICP venue in New York.
• Photodom StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for 'First Fridays' community events in New York City supporting local photographer networking.
• LexarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMemory storage company partnership for virtual workshop on photography workflows featuring Lexar Elite Team Member Laretta Houston.
• FujifilmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for 'Refracted Visions' workshop in Middle East and Kenya with Fujifilm Middle East, including SOOC photography competition submission opportunity.
• AfroLAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit news outlet partnership for 'Next Door: Environmental Injustice' exhibition at Los Angeles Center for Photography.
• Los Angeles Center for PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExhibition venue partnership for community photography exhibition on environmental justice.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• CreateHer Stock: A stock photography platform featuring images of Black and Brown women, comparable to BWP in its focus on visibility for Black women creatives but narrower in scope (stock only).
• PhotoWings: A nonprofit creating educational resources on visual literacy and photography; comparable to BWP as a photography nonprofit educator and a BWP partner on The Essentials program.

Direct peers

• Authority Collective: A collective of women and nonbinary photographers and visual storytellers of color; directly comparable to BWP as a community-and-advocacy organization serving underrepresented photographers.
• Free The Work: A talent directory connecting brands with diverse directors, photographers, and creators across commercial production; closely comparable to BWP's hiring-directory function with a broader diversity lens.
• Diversify Photo: A directory of BIPOC photographers available for editorial and commercial assignments, directly comparable to BWP as a curated talent marketplace for diverse photographers.
• The Everyday Projects: A nonprofit documenting everyday life worldwide through photography; directly comparable as a community-led visual storytelling nonprofit, and an active BWP partner on The Essentials education program.
• Women Photograph: A nonprofit directory and community supporting women and nonbinary photographers, directly comparable to BWP in mission (visibility for underrepresented photographers) and directory-based business model.

Broad incumbents

• International Center of Photography (ICP): A long-established photography school and museum serving a broad photography community; comparable to BWP as a photography nonprofit ecosystem player and BWP's venue partner for community meet-ups.
• Aperture Foundation: A leading photography nonprofit publisher and educator with a broad mission; comparable to BWP as a photography-focused nonprofit but with a much wider editorial and institutional scope.
• PhotoVogue: Condé Nast's photography platform showcasing global photographers; comparable to BWP as a photography discovery and editorial platform, but operating as part of a major media incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvUDd2alVNQINU5Ml0spAng
• Instagraminstagram.com/blackwomenphotographers
• Xx.com/BlkWomenPhoto
• Facebookfacebook.com/blackwomenphotographers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-women-photographers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Women Photographers