10 Questions with Dajzha Little
Dajzha Little - Portrait
Dajzha Little is a photographer & videographer based in Atlanta, GA. She has a BA in Film and Photography from Georgia State University. She has a passion: to bring dreams of her own and dreams of others to life through the power of her camera. She discovered this passion for photography and cinematography at the age of 15 and hasn't stopped chasing the dream since.
www.copaceticvision.com | @copaceticvision
ARTIST STATEMENT
Dajzha Little loves to use photography and creative direction as an expression of her current emotional state. She loves to use these mediums to make a statement, peak curiosity, and give food for thought. She specializes in film photography and collaborating with other creatives to bring visions to life.
Vulnerability, 35mm, 18x24 in, 2023 © Dajzha Little
INTERVIEW
In your statement, you mention how you first approached photography and videography at 15. Are you still following the same inspiration?
Yes, in a way. When I was younger, I gained a lot of inspiration from music videos and album rollouts. I used to love buying physical CDs just to look at the photos in the booklet. I still follow that excitement and try to create that with my work. I am also slowly but surely starting to work with more musical artists, and it's been very fulfilling to my inner child.
What, for you, is the most enjoyable part of your art?
It's definitely the creative process and the act of doing a photography shoot. During my shoots, I always have so much fun. It's always beautiful to see the model express so much confidence. It creates a great energy that everyone in the room can feel. I try to encourage only comfortable and confident energy during my shoots, and it's very fulfilling energetically in return.
Ride For You, 35mm, 18x24 in, 2023 © Dajzha Little
Let's talk about your work. Can you explain what your idea is and what the main themes behind your work are?
My Ideas change every day, but the main theme behind my work is emotional expression and storytelling. I love it when you can feel art. I love to create things that evoke emotion and curiosity in the viewers. Hopefully, it encourages the viewer to dig deeper and look within.
Where do you find inspiration for your work, and what is your creative process like?
A lot of my inspiration comes from daily life. This world, though it can be scary and full of negativity, can be so beautiful at times. I also often go through things and don't know how to express how I'm feeling or what I want to say. So then I'll create a mood board. And start looking around for a model who would be willing to produce this idea for me. Once I've found the perfect model, I'll typically take some time to scout locations. Once I've found the perfect one, the shoot begins.
You seem to work primarily with portraits. Can you explain why you chose this style and what portraiture represents to you?
I believe portraiture chose me. I've dabbled in other forms of photography and really enjoy landscape photography. Portraits seem to stimulate the emotions and minds of viewers more than anything else to me. People like to say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but it is really the face and the eyes in the photo that holds value. Faces have a million stories. And humans are so complex and extraordinary. I am often overwhelmed with how grateful I am to be able to photograph beautiful human beings for a living.
Queens, 35mm, 18x24 in, 2023 © Dajzha Little
The Art of a Woman, 35mm, 18x24 in, 2023 © Dajzha Little
You also work and collaborate with other creatives. What does it help you achieve? And how does it influence your own work?
Working with other creatives helps me achieve a sense of community. It also allows me the opportunity to learn from my peers. I love helping others bring their visions to life. I also love learning from other creatives as well as creating opportunities for multiple creatives to flourish. The influence that community has on my work is everything. I often use my work to highlight the very overlooked beauty of the African-American community. My community is what gives me inspiration to create. So, I love it when I can create with others within that community and beyond.
What do you hope that the public takes away from your work?
I hope that my work leaves the public yearning for more work from me. And yearning to heal from things, dig deeper within themselves, and allow themselves to feel all that comes with being a human. I want my work to allow the public to know that it is okay to feel.
Insanity, 35mm, 18x24 in, 2023 © Dajzha Little
What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future in terms of new projects?
I am currently working as a creative director for a musical artist. I plan to soon put my art on wearable items ( clothes, tote bags, etc) as well as release my second photobook soon.
Do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations you are looking forward to?
I am planning my very first solo gallery show coming up in the summer of 2024. I also recently creative directed a fashion show for the brand Blackstar that I'm very excited for the release of.
Finally, share something you would like the world to know about you.
I would like the world to know that I am a Black girl from Atlanta, GA, who is determined to make my dreams come true. You may not know who I am right now, But you will know me and my work soon.
Artist’s Talk
Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
