Photography has long shaped how people see the world, influencing perceptions of culture, identity, and community. Yet not every face, every shade, or every story has been represented with the same level of visibility and precision.
To help address this gap, The Shade Initiative has launched The Black Frame, a free six-day photography and storytelling masterclass created for young African women who want to tell stories with honesty, intention, and care—particularly stories centred on Black skin, identity, culture, and lived experiences.
Designed for intermediate female photographers based in Lagos, the programme goes beyond teaching technical photography skills. It seeks to equip participants with the tools to document their communities, challenge limiting narratives, and create visual stories that authentically reflect African experiences.
Over the course of six days, participants will learn, unlearn, and create together through a carefully curated programme focused on photography, visual storytelling, and cultural representation. The masterclass aims to foster a new generation of storytellers capable of capturing people, places, and histories through a more intentional and inclusive lens.
The initiative is supported by Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos (CCA, Lagos), whose sponsorship reflects a shared commitment to nurturing emerging creative talent and expanding opportunities for women in the visual arts.
According to The Shade Initiative, The Black Frame is more than a photography training programme; it is a platform for participants to explore how images can be used to honour identity, preserve culture, and tell stories that matter.
Applications are now open for Lagos-based intermediate female photographers who are ready to deepen their practice and engage in a transformative learning experience.
Interested applicants can register through the application form at: https://tinyurl.com/2jdka37z
With its focus on representation, storytelling, and creative development, The Black Frame seeks to empower young African women to take ownership of their narratives and contribute to a more inclusive visual landscape—one frame at a time.
