Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth Carter Hickman.
Hi Ruth, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in San Diego, California. It was my father, William Carter who taught me the art of visual storytelling at the age of five and the importance of documenting our family history. My dad would always document each holiday and family get-together by video and would teach me about our African American culture and family history. He would even place me in front of the camera and tell me to share what I learned. For example, I can remember my dad recording me on my great grandmother’s land before he built condos and townhomes in North Park and made me recite the family history and had me tell the whole story on camera. It was my dad who groomed me for public speaking and how to work in front and behind the camera.
I wanted to go to college out of state because I wanted to attend a historically black college and university. I was inspired by Evette Dabney who was a local Reporter to attend Clark Atlanta University and I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media Arts Radio/TV/Film and a Master of Fine Arts in Television Production from Loyola Marymount University.
I have worked in commercial, television, and documentary production in Hollywood, California for over many years. I started shooting photography when my co-worker asked me to take photos at her cousin’s best friend’s wedding. I fell in love with photography and I’ve been capturing visual stories since 2009.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, this photography journey has not been a smooth road. Many people undervalue what we as photographers do! Not everyone that owns a DSLR camera and that takes pictures is a photographer.
I’ve had many struggles along the way from not knowing what to charge people for all that I do and I’m still learning how to own my self-worth as a creative visual storyteller and I still struggle with pricing because in photography really there’s really no set price for art.
That’s what sets me apart. I offer an exclusive experience. I help the client form a vision during the initial consultation. From clothing options and colors to hair, makeup and locations.
I approach photography like production and there’s three phases. The pre-production, production and post-production stages. During the pre-production phase, I design a custom mood board for my clients after the initial consultation. I always like to get to know more about my clients so that way I can help them feel more comfortable in front of the camera.
Knowing my clients helps me capture their truth! I ask questions like what’s your favorite color to who’s their favorite music artist so that I can incorporate that into their photoshoot. Ruth shoots your truth! All of my clients say the same thing, Ruth I love my photos!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I shoot portraiture and forgotten histories and cultures of the African Diaspora. As a traveling visual storyteller who specializes in digital media, my work is largely centered around cultural diversity and inclusion. Digital media has provided the best platform to showcase the beauty and humanity of underrepresented cultures, communities and people of color.
Amplifying the voice of the voiceless serves as a catalyst for all of my work. I am most proud of my most recent work on Afro Mexicans which has won me the Sony Alpha Female grant in 2020 and was inspired by the lack of diversity in advertising as it relates to Afro Mexicans in Mexico.
Specifically, I would like to add inclusivity and value with a powerful tool…, advertising. I began by exploring how Afro Mexicans have been left out of the Mexican census until 2020 and have gone unacknowledged in Mexican culture for centuries. I began to document the narratives of Afro Mexicans to bring awareness to the beauty of darker-skinned Mexicans to redefine and expand what it means to be Mexican. Now I invite you to celebrate with me the Mexican Tambien and Afro Latino Tambien project, a global campaign of beauty and empowerment. What sets me apart is my focus on Afro Latino’s history and their contributions to society and culture by highlighting each culture’s unknown historic figures.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I think definitely as a photographer depending on your niche, one should reach out to more seasoned photographers for their advice and mentorship, as I have had a couple of photographers definitely help me along the way.
A great way to get a mentor in photography is to definitely reach out to a photographer that you admire and ask to take them out to lunch, dinner, or coffee and have pre-interview questions ready to ask. Also, offer to be a second shooter on their shoots because it’s a great way to develop your portfolio and experience. There’s nothing like learning from a professional in action.
Pricing:
- Portrait Packages Start $500
Contact Info:
- Email: ruthhickmanphotography@gmail.com
- Website: www.ruthhickman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthhickmanphotography/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruthhickmanphotography
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ruththetruth20
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEIe1x3Bbn8GQrt1pzQITEA/videos?view=0&sort=p
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ruth-hickman-photography-hemet-2?osq=ruth+hickman+photography
Image Credits
Ruth Carter Hickman Photography
