Source: Tamara Blake Chapman: (Copyright © Tamara Blake Chapman, 2021)
Tamara Blake Chapman is a photographer and writer who captures the intimacy and calm of their subjects with their lens.
Chapman currently resides in Brooklyn, they moved to study journalism and design at The New School (Manhattan), although they hail from a town in South Florida, where they have lived much of their life.
Although their studies are writing-oriented, their current preferred mode of self-expression, and career discipline, is photography. Tamara began their journey with a camera after their mother passed away, having recognized the lack of photographic memories shared. From then on, photography became their passion, and a way to deal with, and channel, their loss.
Source: Tamara Blake Chapman: (Copyright © Tamara Blake Chapman, 2021)
Tamara uses their art as a method of personal documentation, capturing the magical moments that they live with their loved ones. Intimacy and calmness are the main elements that can be observed in their photographs, from the tones and facial and body expressions of the subjects, Tamara induces us into a relaxing state of being throughout the beauty of her work.
Source: Tamara Blake Chapman: (Copyright © Tamara Blake Chapman, 2021)
Chapman also has a 15-year career in the dance industry, for this reason, most of the protagonists of their work are usually young people and dancers. But they are not pigeonholed into any prototype, and as a queer, black, non-binary person, Tamara also uses their photography to give visibility and represent their community.
Source: Tamara Blake Chapman: (Copyright © Tamara Blake Chapman, 2021)
Chapman developed their style as a method of capturing the way they perceive life, after all, they wanted to be able to capture it from their perspective. The young artist believes that each person has a way of seeing and focusing on each thing, and via their photographs, they manage to show the world their unique perspective and experience.
The photographer has worked hard to craft their style, and has drawn inspiration from other talented professionals, such as Kennedi Carter, Rahim Fortune, and Micaiah Carter. All of them follow the concept of autobiographical and personal gaze just like Champagne. The individuality and tenacity of their work have made Tamara take these professionals as main references. Kennedi has been the key person who helped Chapman develop the transparency and honesty that they highlight in their portfolio.
“She is not about surveillance and she is transparent about it, which is sadly rare to see. Her words have guided me through the process of looking for editorial opportunities, which has been helpful. ” – Tamara Blake Chapman on Kennedi for It’s Nice That Magazine.
Source: Tamara Blake Chapman: (Copyright © Tamara Blake Chapman, 2021)
Source: Tamara Blake Chapman: (Copyright © Tamara Blake Chapman, 2021)
The subtle, soft, and precise tones form the color palette within which Tamara guides their work, accentuate honesty and transparency, the key values of Tamara Blake Chapman as an artist. The photographer makes an effort to know their subjects. Their goal is to gain the subject’s trust so that they feel free and comfortable during the process, and Chapman truly has a gift for that. Can you feel it too?
Source: Tamara Blake Chapman: (Copyright © Tamara Blake Chapman, 2021)
