Kelly-Ann Bobb
Image by Kelly-Ann Bobb
Kelly-Ann Bobb is an analog freelance photographer based in Trinidad and Tobago and New York. After completing medical school, Kelly-Ann fell in love with the unending complexities of film photography. She utilizes photography as a tool of unmasking, telling stories that would not otherwise be told and revealing as much of herself as the subjects she photographs. Her photography has evolved into one of her greatest forms of creative expression and her choice of analog photography as her creative medium is intentional, verifying the existence of her subjects.
Her works have been published by the British Journal of Photography, Amateur Photographer, Der Greif, Forgotten Lands, and many others. Kelly-Ann’s work has also been exhibited internationally in the SECCA museum in South Carolina and Verzasca Switzerland. The Central Bank Museum of Trinidad and Tobago acquired her image entitled African Spiritual for its permanent collection.
Hi Kelly-Ann! Tell us a little about yourself — when did you first become interested in photography and how did you get to where you are today?
I was born in the twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago, and that is where I am currently based.
I have always had a natural inclination to be in creative spaces. Growing up, we were always taking images, documenting our childhood. However, my photography journey only started after the passing of my mother in 2018. Some months before, I had spent some time in Belgium doing an elective in laparoscopic surgery. There was this beautiful antique market in Brussels down the street from where I stayed that had the most interesting film cameras—cameras that I did not know ever existed. It piqued my interest in learning about film and film photography, just around the time my mom died. It was the most challenging time of my life and photography was cathartic. Since then, it has developed into one of my greatest forms of creative expression and activism, and has further fostered in me a profound interest in Afro-diasporic identities, communities, and the world.
Photographer Kelly-Ann Bobb
“Take some time to understand the principles of photography and how you can shape light to help you portray the stories you want to tell. Look around you: there are so many authentic stories to be told in the spaces where you exist and strive.”
Are there particular themes you like to explore through your work?
I love documenting various aspects and angles of life. As such, my portfolio contains a wide-ranging body of work that captures landscapes, editorial projects, and portraiture. I will say, however, that I have a great fondness for portraiture. For me, there is a deep fascination with the way the human body evolves and expresses itself across time and space. I am also interested in the unspoken conversations that take place between myself and the bodies I shoot.
Tell us more about your series, Sacred Bodies. What inspired you to create these images? What would you like people to take away from the project?
A lot of my images deal with debunking the negative stereotypes that have been imposed on Black bodies. This collection of work seeks to reclaim divine bodily autonomy and agency for African diasporic peoples through a sacred perspective lens. Spirituality, sexuality, and race are central themes in my photographic portraits. I think the role of the artist is to influence social progress. The artist essentially lays bare their reality to be seen and measured. The artist's work gives insight into the socioeconomic and political realities of their time.
What stories can you tell with a camera that you can't necessarily tell through words?
Photography in its essence for me is a connection and a medium by which we can converse with each other. It documents life with a particular kind of honesty.
What has been one of your favorite projects to work on so far? What would be your dream creative project or subject to shoot?
Musings of Boscoe has been one of my favorite projects thus far. Incorporating Caribbean art and re-imagining it through collaborative photography was my aim for the project. I am currently working on a long-term documentary photographic series, looking at the migrant population in Trinidad and their experiences.
Image by Kelly-Ann Bobb
What inspired you to shoot in analog and what are some challenges and rewards of creating images with film?
My photography practice is completely analog-based, from 35 mm to large format film. I develop and scan all the films myself. I love that film/analog photography has completely allowed me to be intentional with every image that I set out to capture. If I am using my Mamiya rb67 camera, I would have ten (10) exposures. That’s a completely different process from the ability to look at your images and store thousands of images at a time on an SD card. You must be able to trust your camera and understand how the film you choose to shoot with would render light. Everything must be intentional when so much faith is required in the process and for me, that is beauty. That same beauty and vulnerability of the process can also within itself be a challenge. I have learned to appreciate the imperfections of the process; it adds to my overall experience.
What are your favorite cameras and film formats to work with and why?
I own so many film cameras, that it’s never easy for me to answer this question. Most of my work is done with medium format cameras--it is my most commonly used format. The Mamiya c330 camera is such a simple medium format camera. It allows me to use different lenses, in the 6 x 6 format, and is one of my favorite cameras to use. I am currently working with large format (8 x 10) images which makes alternative printing with original negatives a much simpler process for me.
Where do you turn to creative inspiration for your work?
My family and my culture are my greatest inspirations. I think being able to tell your own stories puts you in a solid place mentally and emotionally to tell the stories of others.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in photography?
Take some time to understand the principles of photography and how you can shape light to help you portray the stories you want to tell. Look around you: there are so many authentic stories to be told in the spaces where you exist and strive.
What are you working on now and what’s up next for you?
I am currently working on a long-term documentary photographic series looking at the migrant population in Trinidad & Tobago and their experiences. I haven’t shared any of those images to date, but it has been thus far such an expansive experience and it continues to grow into so many different things. I have not only been able to document the community but also volunteer my medical skills. It has truly been a beautiful experience thus far and I look forward to sharing those images soon.
Thank you for sharing with us Kelly-Ann! To view more of Kelly-Ann’s work, visit her website and follow her on Instagram.
All images courtesy of Kelly-Ann Bobb