Eva Woolridge: Photographer, Public Speaker, and Activist

Less Than Likely

Eva Woolridge is an award-winning Queer, Black & Chinese portrait photographer, public speaker, and social activist based in Brooklyn, NY. In this conversation, we hear about her artistic process and how she navigates the integration of artistry and entrepreneurship, and how her career has shifted as her work becomes more visible. Eva offers her perspective on art and healing, considering social responsibility in photography, as well as how she chooses partnerships and projects. It’s a real gift to talk to Eva at this stage in her career; while already incredibly accomplished, it’s clear Eva is just getting started with so much more to come.

Where the conversation went:

• Eva’s less than likely nature stems from being self-taught in all aspects of the work she pursues as a professional, and we hear her journey to claiming her role as a professional photographer.
• Eva’s photo series “The Size of a Grapefruit” is a reflection on her personal experience of a traumatic medical event. We discuss the power and the pursuit of healing in sharing our own stories, and Eva shares her own realizations about sharing her experiences with others and its impact on her own healing process.
• Eva’s balance of corporate and personal work as a professional photographer, and how she has navigated her transition from receptionist to full-time professional photographer.
• Eva’s documenting of the Black Lives Matter protests in the aftermath of George Floyd and Breanna Taylor’s deaths was a pivotal moment in her career. Her photos were featured In Rolling Stone and other publications, and the treatment of her by white photographers during the protests sparked the creation of her Skillshare class: Socially Responsible Photography: Photographing with Intention, as well as led to public speaking opportunities throughout the country.
• How Eva considers the opportunities that come her way from the artistic, activist and ethical perspective. What she wants from the corporations as they think about who to hire for their next photoshoot.
• Eva shares some of her teachings regarding photographing both in and out of your own community and how to honor the role of the subjects in your own photography work.
• Eva shares details of her most recent venture, traveling cross country documenting Black Birth-workers and their history, experience and stories.
• Kate and Scott debrief.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Eva Woolridge Photography
• Follow Eva on Instagram
• Eva’s Leica Award-winning photo series: The Size of Grapefruit
• Eva’s TEDx talk: How we use art as a vessel to heal our trauma
• Eva’s Skillshare class: Socially Responsible Photography: Photographing with Intention
• Support Eva’s Black Birthworkers Documentary

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