Essence Photography: Where Spirit Meets Image
By Dr. Ralph Basui Watkins, The Scholar with a Camera
When I look through my lens, I’m not just aiming to capture a face—I’m reaching for something deeper. I’m reaching for the essence, the soul, the light that lives within each person who trusts me to tell their story.
My journey as a photographer has been shaped by many influences, but none more deeply than Susan Taylor, the legendary Editor-in-Chief Emerita of Essence Magazine. Susan taught us that beauty is more than skin deep—it is spiritual. She invited us to see the divine in ourselves, especially as African Americans, and most especially in Black women. The images in Essence were not just photographs. They were spirit-filled portraits that honored the soul.
I remember flipping through those pages and feeling something stir in me. Unlike what I saw in Ebony or Jet, Essence didn’t just show what people looked like. It revealed who they were. That was the power. That was the calling.
In my studio today, I carry that same spirit into every session. My work is a collaboration—what I call co-creation. Together, we don’t just take pictures. We create space for your inner beauty to shine outward. I want you to see yourself the way your loved ones see you, the way God sees you—with fullness, with joy, with truth.
Essence Photography is soul work.
It’s rooted in legacy. Inspired by ancestors. Filled with laughter and love. And it’s guided by the same spirit that shaped Essence Magazine—a spirit that calls us to honor who we are and celebrate the divine within.
So when you step in front of my lens, know this: You’re not just getting a photo. You’re stepping into a sacred moment, a joyful celebration of your story, your soul, and your legacy.
This is Essence Photography. And it’s my honor to make it with you.
Ready to Create Your Essence Portrait?
Let’s begin with a relaxed, no-pressure phone call. We’ll talk about your vision, what inspires you, and how we can create soul-filled portraits that celebrate your beauty—inside and out.
You’re not just booking a session. You’re stepping into a joyful, loving, faith-filled experience that honors who you truly are.
