This month, we're celebrating two talented photographers, Texas Isaiah and Davey Adesida, and experiencing their point-of-view from behind a Fujifilm camera.

TEXAS ISAIAH

“The most successful thing I have accomplished (and still working on because we are all works in progress) thus far is enjoying my own company and enjoying who I am as a person.” Photographer Texas Isaiah spent a day documenting their life using Fujifilm, capturing everyday moments and surroundings.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got your start as a photographer? What brings you the most joy?

I am a first-generation individual with roots in Guyana, Barbados, and Venezuela, amongst other geographies. I was born and raised in East New York, Brooklyn, and currently reside in Los Angeles. 2012 was a pivotal year and meaningfully marked my entrance into photography. Through image-making, my practice reassesses the relationship between visibility, protection, care, and collaboration. I prioritize creating images of Black people, including trans and gender-expansive individuals, who have been historically erased from the photographic canon. I image these individuals in outdoor environments using natural light and silhouettes. The use of outdoor settings and their components comes from a need to rehabilitate our relationship with nature and be at home within our bodies to create more affirming and supportive surroundings for ourselves and one another. The mundane things in life bring me joy as well as food, good hugs, healthy relationships, photography, books, friends, and honesty.

How is shooting with Fujifilm Instax different from shooting on standard film? What do you like about using Fujifilm?

I firmly believe a camera is simply a camera, but Instax makes the process a little bit more liberating and playful. I like not knowing how the image will turn out and the process in which you have to be on stand-by as the image is developing itself. I learn a lot about patience from using film.

How is shooting with Fujifilm Instax different from shooting on standard film? What do you like about using Fujifilm?

I firmly believe a camera is simply a camera, but Instax makes the process a little bit more liberating and playful. I like not knowing how the image will turn out and the process in which you have to be on stand-by as the image is developing itself. I learn a lot about patience from using film.

What’s something you’re interested in right now?

I am currently reading The Will To Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by bell hooks for a Black trans masculine book club I am participating in.

What does “success” look like to you?

The most successful thing I have accomplished (and still working on because we are all works in progress) thus far is enjoying my own company and enjoying who I am as a person.

DAVEY ADESIDA

“The people I shot are friends. They’re all foreigners hustling in NYC, all trying to make it in their creative endeavors.” Photographer Davey Adesida was born in Nigeria and currently resides in NYC, where he shoots photos with the goal of encouraging the viewer to take a moment to pause and reflect.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got your start as a photographer?

I'm a photographer from Nigeria who is now based between NYC and London. I love shooting in nature but I also love playing with soft atmospheric light in studio. I love a nice travel story. A dream of mine is to shoot something similar to what Tim Barber used to shoot for UO. I’d love to do that in my own way.

What drives you to continue honing your craft as an artist and photographer?

Lately what’s been driving me is creating generational wealth for me and my family. Things have changed in the past three years. The pandemic woke me up. Traveling also inspires me. Whenever i travel i get very inspired. I just love studying cultures.

Can you tell us what some of your favorite projects to work on lately have been?

Personally, I did something for a London annual publication. It’s coming out soon... I think. That’s my most exciting work (to me) to date. I’ve also done some beauty stuff recently. I'm trying to shoot some stuff in the middle of nowhere Italy and middle of nowhere Africa soon. I’m fascinated by the countryside of Africa and Europe.

Tell us some more about the people you shot – what drew you to each of them?

The people i shot are friends. They’re all foreigners hustling in NYC, all trying to make it in creative endeavors. I wanted to document people that are foreigners like me living in NYC. There’s something interesting about leaving your country to move to America to try and make it. It’s like you can’t afford to fail. I wanted to document these people because I think they deserve recognition for their hard work.

How is shooting with Fujifilm Instax different from shooting on standard film? What do you like about using Fujifilm?

I thought it was all so cute. It’s nice and quick and i didn’t have to think too much. With my other film cameras I think a lot on metering the light, f-stops, shutter speeds, etc. I wish Fujifilm would bring back the Fp-100. That was fantastic. We need it now more than ever.