Hi, I’m Tokiea Fitzgerald, an iPhone photographer based in Philadelphia. I’m a MacArthur-nominated photographer and an Andrew Carnegie Scholar, and I focus on creating images that honor dignity, consent, and the humanity of every person I photograph.I coined the term Black Lives Matter, and that commitment to visibility, justice, and care carries through my photography today. My work is trauma-informed: I understand the importance of safety, boundaries, and respect when documenting people’s lives. Each session is designed to be empowering and uplifting.As a Messianic Jew, my faith informs how I approach people and stories — with kindness, attentiveness, and respect — but I keep my work approachable and grounded. I strive to reflect God’s love in subtle, human ways, honoring each individual’s story without grandiosity.Why trauma-informed photography matters:Every image has power. Photography can either empower or retraumatize. My sessions prioritize consent, comfort, and dignity so that people feel safe to show up fully as themselves.“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” – Psalm 27:1I specialize in portraits of hope, resilience, and transformation, celebrating recovery, family milestones, and personal triumphs. I use an iPhone to capture the realness, intimacy, and humanity in each session — proving that light, story, and artistry don’t require expensive equipment.Photography for me is about seeing people, honoring them, and leaving them with images that celebrate their worth and journey.
