Meet Oni Symone of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Oni Symone.

Hi Oni, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey as a visual storyteller began at Spelman College, where I earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Documentary Filmmaking and English alongside a minor in Photography before advancing my studies in the Master of Arts in African American Studies program at Clark Atlanta University. Driven by a passion for narrative production, cinematography, and creative direction, I founded my own creative hub, Oni Symone Studios, to merge visual aesthetics, lighting, and poetic narrative structures into impactful films. Over the years, my work has gained meaningful recognition, from receiving the Bronze Lens Creator Scholarship to participating in the NYU Tisch x Black Women Film Network fellowship cohort, a Southeast Student Emmy nominee and more. Through projects like my screened poetic short My Rose, my thesis film The Black Ballerina, and creative extensions like Nywele ( Southeast Student Emmy Nominated) and Maneno Mazuri, I have dedicated my career to honoring nuanced cultural narratives both behind the camera and across the creative industry.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road; the biggest hurdle has been finding the balance between managing a rigorous academic workload and building a business from the ground up simultaneously. Juggling degree requirements while in undergrad and graduate school while operating Oni Symone Studios meant mastering time management, project delegation, and creative endurance on the fly. Navigating tight production schedules, client expectations, and fundraising alongside thesis deadlines and exams presented constant friction, but each obstacle forced me to build resilience, refine my workflow, and sharpen my focus as both an entrepreneur and a filmmaker.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a filmmaker, photographer, and creative director, I specialize in crafting nuanced, visually striking stories that blend cinematic lighting, rich aesthetics, and poetic narrative structures. Through my production business, Oni Symone Studios, I work across camera operation, creative direction, and cinematography, focusing heavily on elevated storytelling rooted in culture and authentic representation. I am best known for integrating poetry into visual media and bringing a deliberate, painterly eye to frame composition and lighting—qualities showcased in projects like my poetic short My Rose, my thesis film The Black Ballerina, and extended narrative works like Nywele and Maneno Mazuri and other projects.

What I am most proud of is my continuous commitment to creative ownership and community impact. Building an independent media company while pursuing dual degrees at Spelman College, advancing into my graduate studies at Clark Atlanta University, and securing honors like the Southeast Student Emmy Nominee, Bronze Lens Creator Scholarship and the NYU Tisch x Black Women Film Network fellowship stand as proud milestones of that dedication. What sets me apart is this multidimensional perspective: my background in English and photography gives me a deep respect for narrative craftsmanship and visual precision, allowing me to approach every film not just as a technical shoot, but as a deeply intentional piece of living art.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are several direct ways to collaborate, hire, or support my work across film, photography, and creative direction:

Ways to Work & Collaborate

Production & Creative Direction: I am available for direct hire as a director, cinematographer, and creative director for narrative/documentary film projects, commercial visuals, music videos, and editorial campaigns through Oni Symone Studios.

Photography Services: Booking for portraiture, editorial shoots, fashion, and visual branding projects.

Panels & Speaking Engagements: I participate in discussions, keynotes, and workshops centered around student entrepreneurship, Black film history, independent media ownership, and visual storytelling.

Creative Partnerships & Fellowships: Open to co-productions, brand partnerships, and collaborative artistic initiatives that center rich, culturally resonant narratives.

How to Support

Amplify & Share: Following, sharing, and engaging with my work across social platforms and studio channels helps extend the reach of independent films like The Black Ballerina and My Rose.

Film Festival & Screening Attendance: Supporting independent screenings, festival appearances, and web series launches directly sustains the lifecycle of these projects.

Project Funding & Executive Producing: Inquiring about investment or sponsorship opportunities for upcoming independent film slates and original narrative projects.

For bookings, business inquiries, or media requests, you can reach out directly via my business contact channels or website at onisymonestudios.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://onisymonestudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onisymonestudios/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OniSymoneStudios