Today we’d like to introduce you to Neosha Gardner.
Neosha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been a vey creatively-driven individual. The idea of creating a stock photography platform for Black women,in particular, came from my early days of being a pretty consistent beauty and natural hair blogger. I would make use of my own images but some days, outsourcing was needed.
There was one post where I needed a specific type of image that featured a Black model. I searched high and low for something that would fit and nothing. When I did find stock images with Black women, they were either super outdated or extra corny. From there, I pretty said – “why the heck isn’t there a stock photo platform catering to women of color?”
With my skill in both graphic design, web design, and photography – I took this as an opportunity to fill that gap within the stock photography niche. Since our inception, we’ve been able to create images that cater to Black women – in both a relatable and modern way. The platform has allowed for so many content creators to have a go-to destination for their images needs and that’s a great feeling! We’ll be turning 3 years old in July!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like any journey, you will have your ups and downs. It’s all apart of the process. What maters is how you respond to those struggles. I wouldn’t necessarily call any downs along my journey a struggle. When you create a platform focusing on Black women, that alone is a struggle within itself because I know first hand how we can be.
Over the last two years of the business, I’ve noticed a great way of support, which I appreciate. I also had my share of women who criticized the space simply because it wasn’t good enough for THEM or their needs. For any woman running a business, I’d tell her to not allow the negative critiques to overshadow the reasoning for why you went into business in the first place. If you feel you were meant to create the service or product you offer, the negative will simply roll off your shoulder and not affect you why.
For a lot of us, we expect people to support us simply because we look like each other or because we should all support one another and even though in a perfect world, yes – fact is, not everyone will be in love with what you do, who you are or what you offer. You have to simply focus on growing and being the best version of yourself for those who love and appreciate what you do.
Please tell us about CreateHER Stock.
I am a graphic designer and photographer, in a nutshell. I specialize in lifestyle and product imagery for small businesses and popular online brands. People know me most for being the founder of CreateHER Stock, a stock photography platform that caters to women of color – in particular, Black women.
I’m super proud of knowing that I’ve been able to create a space where women who look like me can also find themselves within the content produced for them. We’ve been able to work alongside wonderful people, be supported by a lot of popular names in business as well as influencers, and have been afforded opportunities that may not have otherwise come around.
The thing that sets me apart from others would probably be my idea of what diversity looks like for Black women. In the stock photography niche, there is plenty of diversity to go around but I wanted to show diversity in a way that stuck with the audience I cater to. Black women are and can be many things so we strive to shine a light on the women who are professional, alternative, mystical, and more.
We often host free photoshoot pop-ups where an event is posted online and via our social media allowing everyday people to show interest in joining. It’s a great way for us to connect and involve our local community and give back at the same time. I’ve formed so many amazing new relationships and friendships through this. Perfect opportunity for anyone wanting professional images who don’t necessarily have the budget for one at the present time.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I feel there are many things we are positioned for. If you ask me, women should be holding a majority of the elite space in things from the arts to politics. I think we’re best in positions where decisions need to be well thought out in terms of being looked at from all sides before moving forward. A lot of us have that gift of discernment, which is needed in EVERY space – professional and creative.
Pricing:
- Premium Sign up – $10 monthly
Contact Info:
- Website: www.createherstock.com
- Email: her@createherstock.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/createherstock
- Twitter: twitter.com/createherstock
Image Credit:
Images Taken By Founder, Neosha Gardner, Isha Gaines of HoneyBeNatural Magazine, Tim + Lauren Johnson of Harbor Grace Photography
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