Aichatou Traore

Age: 17 New Heights Academy Charter SchoolI've always been captivated by photography. I mean, I couldn't pass by any garden or Times Square with all its lights and tall buildings without snapping a pic. The beauty was too visible, prominent, and unique to ignore. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I witnessed the world lose its color and brightness. The outside world  caused fear and anxiety. The George Floyd murder and the murder of Breonna Taylor sparked widespread outrage. It appeared as if the world was a hopeless and miserable place. During the pandemic and the protests, I was scrolling through TikTok and I came across a photograph of flowing water from a cup. Through the lens of the camera, the flowing water appeared different. I was taken aback by how something so basic and plain could be represented as beautiful, and it made me realize that nothing in this world was plain or usual; everything is precious.  

The Black Lives Matter movement was strikingly painful in that we have to make it obvious that our lives matter, but it was amazing how we united and voiced our feelings as one. That is why I wanted to be a photographer and why we need photography. When the world loses its color in times of sorrow and pessimism, it is photographs of solidarity, humanity, and love that may restore communal strength. That's why artists like James Van Der Zee, and Devin Allen’s amazing work A Beautiful Ghetto (2017), inspire me because they capture the story and purpose behind something simple or hopeless and turn it into something eye-catching and uplifting. As I take photos, I usually never have a vision beforehand. I like to think of creative ideas as I go, focusing on the details and environment of my subject to give it more character and depth. I like to take pictures of simple things and make them look otherworldly while also capturing the specific emotions I want my audience to feel in the picture through color scheme, dullness, or light. Through Expanding the Walls, I aim to depict my community in that light, telling its narrative in a way that inspires hope and peace in my audience. While this will be difficult, I am confident that I will be able to accomplish this dream.
Ethereal, 2022
Capturing Vibrance, 2022