Meet William Bigby of Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to William Bigby

Hi William, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began taking photographs in the 8th grade. My parents bought me a camera for Christmas and after shooting around the house for a while, I became obsessed with taking pictures. My freshman year in high school, I took a photography class that helped me learn all the technical skills that were needed when it came to operating both analogue and digital cameras. My sophomore year, I wanted the images I was taking to have more meaning. At the time, they were just aesthetically pleasing and were lacking a conceptual foundation. Luckily, my photo teacher (and mentor) Ricardo Rodriguez, helped me to grow my mind on a conceptual basis and from there my images got stronger. From looking through photo books curated by Aperture and Palm Studios, to watching live works by Kara Walker and Wolfgang Tillmans, my eye, mind, and body became more immersed in the work I was producing. Because of the guidance of Mr. R, I was able to win the NAACP Act-So competition at both the state, and national levels in 2022 and 2023. Along with this, I was recognized as a YoungArts winner with distinction in photography for the 2024 cycle, and I believe it is only up from here.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The hardest parts in all of this are definitely the planning, and profiting. I gain inspiration from what goes on around me. I love to photography Black bodies, and beings but sometimes the environments I find myself in lack that. I take a long time to come up with a theme, or concept for a high production shoot because I am a borderline perfectionist and I need every detail to be spot on. As for profiting, I rarely shoot with the expectations of gaining profits. A lot of my personal projects are funded and promoted by myself and I shoot them because I want to shoot them, not because I am trying to profit off it. I occasionally shoot event photography, but that is so I can fund my other projects that aren’t being paid for. Eventually I want to start shooting for magazines and editorials, but right now I’m just trying to build my portfolio.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself and artist and not a photographer because I believe that having limiting titles can prevent you from achieving more. I am inspired by people who seek to challenge the status quo and revolutionize perceptions. I see my art as a catalyst for change. It serves as a powerful instrument to defy the boundaries of convention, spark crucial conversations, and inspire a shift in consciousness. I look up to people who uplift themselves and their communities. Tyler Mitchell being my favorite photographer does an amazing job of displaying his opinions and emotions through his art. I’m inspired by the beauty in the little things as well. The way that natural light can be crafted and manipulated to create emotions and feelings of warmth and comfort. I’m inspired by the composition of the body and how a slight change in posture can create a whole new story. My Blackness, and the history of my people in general, influence a lot of my work as well. The pushback Black people often face encourages us to confront uncomfortable truths, celebrate our resilience and reimagine the world through our own eyes. As artists, we are entrusted with the responsibility to illuminate the beauty, complexity, and strength of our people, community. Through our creations, we bridge generations, inspire change, and leave an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of humanity and art. I am inspired by changemakers. People who will devote their time to creating a more inclusive and thriving environment because those are the people we need in times like these. Lastly, I am inspired by people who are about expressing themselves and ignoring pushback, people who aren’t bound by society’s perception of them, and people who are unapologetically themselves. People know my work for being warm, and relatable, and I’m most proud that I am able to connect with others through the images that I take.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The pandemic taught me that resilience is key in all factors of life. It is so easy to give up and to let external forces engulf you, but challenging yourself to stay in the game will benefit you far more than you might think. I decided to let what was happening around me influence my work, and some of my most memorable images came from times of hardship and defeat. I also learned that it is okay to have non-productive days. I found myself laying in bed, or sitting outside and doing absolutely nothing to be very helpful to the progression of my work. Those days where you do nothing but think, can be some of the most beneficial days because although you aren’t being physically productive, your brain is still working. During those off days, I would often come up with an idea for a new shoot, etc. I still take days to myself because they are beyond necessary in today’s climate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://williambigby.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koffeeicecream/

Image Credits
Models: Trayvon Young, Mekhi Corner, Sascha Camacho, Malcom Cook, Daryn Bigby, William Bigby