We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Genesis Falls a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Genesis, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
So as being someone who not only identifies as a woman, but a black woman, I’ve always had to hold my own in rooms where I might’ve been the only one. Honestly, the biggest thing I can say that makes me successful at holding my own is this: create your own table so you don’t have to rely on sitting at someone else’s !
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
For me the love of photography started at a young 8 years old. I can remember asking my grandfather if I could take his picture before he started grilling. He stood up as straight as he could and just like that I snapped my first picture. Little did I know that by pressing the shutter button on that disposable camera started a fire in me.
Fast forward to college: I went to school for video editing and Cinematography. Every project I did I always found a way to incorporate my photography work. Then that’s when I realized that photography is where I want to be artistically. Black/White film photography to be exact. Just deciding too make that jump in to full film photography wasn’t and still isn’t always easy. Regardless, I love the process and anticipation of not always knowing. I choose to make black/white my main focus because I’ve always felt that it tells more of a story without having color tell it for you. Every now and again I’ll throw a roll of color film into my Pentax 6×7 to make pictures with because I still feel its important to know and understand both.
One thing I want the world too know about my work and the photos I take is this: I choose too photograph not only other BIPOC artists, but just other BIPOC people as well. I want someone who looks like me to see themselves and understand that I represent a culture that doesn’t always get the representation that we deserve, but I’m choosing too make my own table and showcase us!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three things/words of advice or knowledge I can share that have been impactful on my journey would be 1. Be honest with yourself. 2. Give yourself grace even when it seems like things are getting hard or you can’t move forward. 3. Be of service to your community. Rather it be a word of encouragement or lending a helping hand.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
This is easy! Gordon Parks- A Hungry Heart
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geno_tatted/
