MPB Meets: Still Life and Beauty Photographer Samia Rachel

Still life and beauty photographer Samia Rachel, based in Berlin and Hamburg, has worked with dozens of clients ranging from Nivea to Nintendo. As one of the best in the industry, Samia Rachel's outstanding portraiture really caught our attention. In this interview with Samia Rachel, we learned about her background, camera gear and experiences as a Black woman working as a still lifeand beauty photographer in Germany.

MPB: What inspired you to become a photographer? 

SR: As a teenager I was very interested in music, especially rock music. When I got a bit more involved with bands from the 70s, I came across Annie Leibovitz's photos. From then on, I was in love with her work—I wanted to do exactly that.

MPB: What equipment do you use for your photography?  

SR: I prefer to work with my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and a 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM. I also like to use the Rollei or the Mamiya RZ 67.

MPB: How do you see the representation of Black women photographers in the industry at the moment? 

SR: I think that after Black Lives Matter, the demand for Black women photographers has increased. But, still only a handful get the opportunity to do the big jobs.

MPB: Can you tell us about a special project or photo series that you are very proud of and explain why? 

SR: I am particularly proud of working with Dr Natasha A. Kelly. She is a key figure for the Afro-German community. I find it important to portray a person who wants to make a difference in our society and trust me to capture her properly.

MPB: Can you tell us about any situations where you’ve had to assert yourself as a Black woman in a white/male-dominated environment? 

SR: I'm fortunate to be working more and more often with women on set. But there are still situations where I, as a woman, have to emphasise myself more than my male counterparts do.

MPB: How has your identity influenced your experience in the photography industry?  

SR: My identity has definitely made me more alert and sensitive, especially when working with Black models. The set is a safe space for me and I want everyone to feel safe.

MPB: Can you tell us about a particularly challenging experience you have had as a Black female photographer in Germany? 

SR: For me, there is not necessarily a particular challenging experience—but rather a particular situation that unfortunately still repeats itself when it comes to the selection of models of colour. Often, people of color don't make it at all—or only make it to the first round of the selection process for a commercial job. I definitely understand that we live in a primarily white society in Germany, but I think we should still not forget that we also need representation, especially in advertising. And to be able to deal with the fact these decisions are made in my presence, I find it particularly challenging.

MPB: How do you approach photography? What does your creative process usually look like? 

SR: Usually, I already have a basic idea in mind, which I then visualise in a concept after research and mood board compilation. Then, I look for the right talents for the realisation. Especially in my freelance projects, it is important for me to work with people of color in order to create the space that is often not given in everyday life.

MPB: What role does intersectionality play in your experience as a Black woman in photography?

SR: For me, the topic plays an important role because photography is still considered a male domain in my eyes and my colleagues are often less scrutinised in their work process. I have the impression that I, as a Black woman, regularly have to prove myself anew.

MPB: How do you think the photography industry can better promote diversity and inclusion of Black photographers and other underrepresented groups?

SR: I think underrepresented groups can be promoted more by giving them a platform to speak out and share. Like this interview, I'm curious to see how many colleagues will come together now and how we can push each other.

Read more interviews on the MPB content hub.