D&AD Meets: POC Creatives — Photographer Adama Jalloh on heritage, collaboration and inspiring black women in the African Diaspora

"I think a lot of Africans can relate to the pressure of their parents wanting them to excel in academic linked careers, especially when trying to pursue a creative one." For Peckham born and raised photographer Adama Jalloh, balancing her parent's expectations whilst trying to carve out her true passion for photography is a similar narrative many POC creatives navigate as a second-generation child of migrants. 

Drawing inspiration from her African heritage, growing up black in Britain and the subconscious influence of microaggressions, Adama's work is vital in ensuring the beauty and experience of black communities are visible in juxtaposition to the fear narrative faced in wider society.  A graduate of the Arts University Bournemouth, she works within the Portrait and Documentary realm boldly capturing the nuances of the black identity in her iconic monochrome style and occasionally experimenting with colour. 

The award-nominated photographer has been exhibited at Tate Modern,  198 Contemporary Arts and Learning and the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall. Her clients include Alexander McQueen, Island Records and Nike with work featured in the British Journal of Photography, I-D and Sunday Times Style.

In the third blog post of the POC Creatives series, we speak with Adama on collaborating in Sierra Leone, the influence of heritage on her style and how the industry can be more inclusive of POC creatives.