Candid In Atlanta

Street art photography. Not necessarily in that order. I find the cracks of beauty in the city; I find not only the roses grown from concrete, I find the concrete roses as well.

[candidinatlanta]

In the night

[cosmicwizdom]

Don’t chase people. Be you, do your own thing and work hard. The right people who belong in your life will come to you, and stay.

- unknown (via quotelounge)

[candidinatlanta]

What you're doing is so cool man.

THANK YOU! Tell your friends!

http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

hey I just wanted to say thanks for running this beautiful blog. I'm from Atlanta but studying in Canada right now, and your photos make me feel more connected to my home again

That actually means a lot to me! I'm glad I can connect you to it :)

[candidinatlanta]

I love your blog! Cant wait to move out there in the fall

C'mon out here!!

[2am-poetry-deactivated20160318]

[candidinatlanta]

HEY TUMBLR FAMILY, AS SOME OF YOU KNOW,

I’m a young photographer (Candid In Atlanta) who ran outside to capture the first protests in my city surrounding Michael Brown. Since then I’ve been fortunate enough to connect deeper with the movement, document activists, travel to Ferguson myself as well as present my photos, videos and what I’ve learned to universities and art establishments including Harvard University, Atlanta Celebrates Photography Festival, BronzeLens Festival and most recently was contacted to have my work purchased by Emory University’s MARBL collection. I want to keep this work up and travel to Selma, Alabama to document “Bloody Sunday” in March yet it does get rather expensive as a college student with the constant traveling and photography costs, any assistance would be appreciated. Any money over my goal will go towards printing work for supporters and more activism efforts SO PLEASE SHARE even if you can’t contribute so that I can keep this up :)

http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

WOW!! We reached our goal!! Thank you for all your wonderful support!!! I've got some HUGE ANNOUNCEMENTS to share!! This past weekend I attended Smith College's Biennial "Young, Gifted and Black" Conference where I presented my work as an artist and activist. I was honored to be featured in a conference where Angela Davis was the keynote speaker! She even signed my photo and complimented me!!! Check out my facebook for the Huffington Post article I covered the conference for ;) I've been asked to present my work by student, arts and activists organizations at Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Emory University, Columbia University in New York, aaaaand most recently at Harvard University Kuumba Singer's 17th Annual Dr. Walter J. Leonard Black Arts Festival at the end of this month!!!! These are all amazing opportunities that I'm proud to have and allow me to share my work and experiences with my peers. I'm happy that I'm fully tackling shooting protests and engaging with activists and youth around the nation while we learn from each other and progress the movement. Every one of these meetings brings me in contact with amazing people like the ones in the photos I took in this post. One is the writer of the Huffington Post article I mentioned, Adebukola Ajao, who also happens be a co-founder of a youth social justice group called "We Are The Ones." Another photo is of Jeremy Shaw of the Dream Defenders out of Florida. We got snowed in together at the same conference this past weekend where we made amazing connections. Unfortunately however, the youth, activists, non-profits and student organizations can't always afford to bring me out to present or work with them which is why this has been such an expensive task from the beginning before I was being asked to come places. ALSO being asked to be put in exhibits in these places means having to print/frame my work constantly which is EXPENSIVE as any artist/photographer will tell you. Don't even get me started on equipment costs!! So all extra money raised will help me go to relieve those earthly stresses :) No one warned me being an activist was costly for my college student pocket as well. lol -But that doesn't matter too much because I'm LOVING being able to help, inspire and collaborate with all of my peers and being able to meet and photograph people I look up to like founding members of the SNCC. I PROMISE to use ever single extra dime you give me towards helping this project grow.

http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 17: Patrice-Cullors, co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter The amount of community organizing in this place was ridiculous and inspiring. Canvassing neighborhoods, talking to politicians, registering people to vote, community block parties to relieve stress and tensions for residents and visitors in the city. I don't feel like the media showed the true representation of Fergsuon, it was far beyond the scope of what I saw on television. But to humanize these impressive individuals would be to give them real voice, real power. This group was a humble yet persistent force. In this photojournal you may think I would focus more on things like the large march of thousands to Mike's memorial with his parents earlier this day. From my personal experience, I can tell you that the glitz and glamour of marching as seen on television is just a momentary spotlight for the true planning that takes place in the tight knit corners of the movement like this. The weekend I spent in Fergsuon would feel like a blur had there not been these still moment. Like cracks of calm against the intensity of still getting my head wrapped around the idea that I had only decided to come here less than a week ago.. Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 16: Michael Brown's Parent's participating in the march to his memorial. Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 15: Then We Marched Fine Art. When people ask me what it was like in Ferguson, I tell them that it felt like being in someone's home after their relative died. After a funeral. Even if no one verbally expressed it, the whole city had this pressing weight. Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 14: How to describe the presence in that space? Hearing activists on the alter? Breathtaking. Though I don't think many reveled in the moment. From hearing personal accounts of police brutality and the treatment of residents in Ferguson to the overall state of oppressed individuals in this great country. Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 13: #BlackLivesMatter A rushed decision made within a couple of days took me from Atlanta, Georgia to Ferguson, Missouri. I work on a college newspaper and my hobby of photography had gotten more serious since I picked up my camera two years prior. In addition to keeping up my architecture portfolio and my street photography past time I've shot music festivals, wedding ceremonies and more in a short time gaining experience. I had never done anything like this though. As I wobbled out of a van I rode non stop all the way to Ferguson, I stretched to the daylight in anticipation to what the city would bring. A church? A church. Out of all places, I left Georgia in the pit of the Bible Belt to meet up with activists from all over the country in support of black lives....at a church. Surely the morals of religion and the righteous are intertwined yet at the time I saw my mission as somewhat separate and anchored in the physical world where only things policies, forms and laws would make impact. However it seem as if rising from an old history book, the roots of my people and their struggle for progression could not come forth without the church being heavily involved as well. I wanted so badly to diminish the moment- to make it less than it was, to possibly progress my mindset out of old negro hymns and spirituals that had racked my brain as I thought about the lamentations of black bodies in this space. Yet as I entered the church, I was welcomed by young and old, straight and queer, different religions and views- activists from every corner of America and even Montreal. I was perplexed at how this would work out, how we'd all get along? I just got out of a van I'd been riding in for hours to a place I'd never been before on a whim decision based off of an event I attended a week prior. Was I a photographer? Student? Activist? A very concerned individual? Was this just normal life? For some of these individuals, I could see that it was. As pastor of the church welcomed us in with open arms, all I felt was solidarity. Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 12: Flash forward. About a week after photographing the first protest in Atlanta, Elle and "It's Bigger Than You ATL" (The youth activist org that formed as a result of the rally) contacted me to let me know that they were taking shuttles full of interested individuals and activists to Ferguson to partner with activists in the city. Ground Zero. I still had classes but I might be able to make the trip- but it was so soon. Could I do it? Should I? Within 48 hours I was on a van headed there. Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 11: "Bus #58" Now I have a moment to pause a reflect on one of my personal favorite shots. This was my first attempt through street photography at trying to convey a historical reference through abstract imagery. That is, if you can guess what this photo is about and extrapolate it's elements into a larger thematic message, then I've done my job. Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 10:

March http://clatl.com/atlanta/aurielle-lucier-the-free-radical/Content?oid=13050107 Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 9: "FTP" Do I really need to caption this?

Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 8: I could not help but feel some connection to the past as I ran through the rain to capture these photos. I wondered what it must have been like in the past for photographers attempting to capture the actions of great individuals in tough situations. I wanted so badly not to dramatize the moment- to make it more than it was- but running frantically in the surf had maybe made me delirious and I could almost hear the blood rushing in my ears over the thunder. Maybe these photos weren't so simple, maybe they really meant something- maybe this wasn't really normal... Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism

[candidinatlanta]

#ShootBack Day 7: Stampede Atlanta Rally for Mike Brown 6,000 person March on CNN Project #ShootBack is an informal photojournal account of my experience as an artist, photographer and young activist exploring the realms of my black identity within the movement while using the evolution of my art as a tool for self discovery as I uncover my history and potential. This is leading up to my goal of traveling to Selma, Alabama in March to photograph the 50th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday." Thousands, including the president will be coming to town. I'm currently raising money for this trip and my activism efforts in general here: http://www.gofundme.com/ArtandActivism