Black Women in Photography (BWP) Conference 2025: Creativity and Empowerment in Johannesburg

The Muholi Art Institute (MAI), in collaboration with The Market Photo Workshop and Ruth Motou Photo Mentorship, proudly presents the groundbreaking Black Women in Photography (BWP) Conference, taking place from 21-23 August 2025 at The Market Square, Newtown, Johannesburg.

Guided by the visionary photographer Zanele Muholi, an esteemed alumnus of The Market Photo Workshop, this landmark event will amplify the voices, lived experiences, and creative mastery of Black women photographers. The conference seeks to confront systemic inequities within the industry, reclaim vital spaces, and boldly redefine the future of South African photography through principles of care, collaboration, and unapologetic visibility.

Addressing a vital need: The BWP Conference confronts the pervasive invisibility and undervaluation of Black women’s stories and photographic work. Anchored in the spirit of izandla ziyagezana (reciprocity), it aims to nurture a thriving creative ecosystem where Black women artists can protect their legacies, build lasting networks, and flourish without compromise.

Key Themes of the Conference:

• Collaboration in Practice: Breaking down silos to encourage collective growth and shared success among Black women photographers.
• Mentorship Without Exploitation: Establishing ethical and accessible pathways for emerging talent to develop sustainably.
• Safety and Security: Tackling challenges related to physical safety, emotional wellbeing, and professional integrity.
• Creative Practice in Trauma & Wellness: Supporting artists in maintaining resilience while documenting difficult truths.
• Achieving & Ownership: Empowering Black women to preserve their visual histories on their own terms.

Voices from the Movement:

“The BWP Conference is a powerful platform for Black women photographers to reclaim our space and tell our stories with authenticity. It’s a movement that will inspire and empower us to shape the future of photography.”
— Lindeka Qampi, MAI mentee & featured speaker

“Through the BWP Conference, MAI is creating a space where Black women photographers are seen, supported, and celebrated. This is about building sustainable creative futures rooted in care and integrity.”
— Lufuno Ramadwa, Producer, MAI

“Being part of MAI’s vision feels like a homecoming. It’s a space to connect, protect our work, and grow as artists who carry our communities’ stories.”
— Charmain Carrol, Market Photo Workshop alumnus

Beyond the immediate three-day programme, MAI aims for lasting transformation by integrating women’s visual archives into arts education curricula, ensuring future generations see themselves represented in history through the powerful lens of Black women photographers.

More than a conference, the BWP gathering is a call to action for photographers, artists, educators, and cultural advocates worldwide to join a vital conversation on cultural resistance, gender equity, and the extraordinary power of visual storytelling.