Meet Trailblazer Aurie Singletary

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aurie Singletary.

Aurie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story begins back in 2007 when I was diagnosed with Chronic Narcolepsy and Pseudotumor Cerebri after having multiple fainting episodes at school daily that lasted between 5-30min during my junior year. Before that, I was a healthy child who had plans to become a non-profit plastic surgeon. During the height of my illness, I was at the hospital and with physicians daily since during the year before my diagnoses we still weren’t 100% sure what was wrong with me. While living in the hospital off and on, my mom got me a camera for my birthday. Since there wasn’t much to do at the hospital, I took pictures of everything I could to pass the time. Until then, I never took an art class or knew anything about photography, but I knew I was hooked~! During my senior year, I applied to a ton of medical schools and only one art school, and to the frustration of my very traditional mother I chose the latter. Since that ordeal, I’ve kept my camera by my side evolving my once hobby into a true passion. I love to experiment with color, light, subject matter and composition. By day, I work as a graphic designer for an Atlanta advertising agency, and by night, I am editing photos. I am constantly looking for new people to collaborate with and new things to create.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My road has been riddled with adversity but I like to think that’s what makes me stronger and more resilient than most. Being a black, queer, woman with a chronic illness is a hard road… especially when the fields advertising design/graphic design and photography are dominated by mostly white men. I’ve struggled with having people immediately not take me seriously because I am a black woman. I’ve experienced a VAST amount of microaggression as well as blatant racism by my coworkers in the past. I have always been the only person of color in the advertising agencies I’ve worked at in the past.

My advice is to outwork EVERYONE. That even if you don’t have the same resources or reach as some of your work counterparts, you can ALWAYS do the work to get where you want to go. I would frequently come into work early and be the last person to leave. Because of my chronic Narcolepsy, I would usually sleep in my car on my lunch breaks so that I wouldn’t show my coworkers my weakness, eat at my desk and work simultaneously so that I can maximize my time for work and improve my design chops.

Doing the work, taking the time to not compete with anyone but yourself and focusing on being better every day has been what’s worked for me.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I am a graphic designer at an advertising agency in Atlanta, and my background in design is very influential in my photographic work. I am known for my uses of color and non-traditional uses of texture and light. I also predominately photograph black women in my work. I think this is an important piece of my work because it allows others to see their family, friends and even themselves in a beautiful light. I also often encourage many of my friends locally who have never done photography but have always wanted to come with me on shoots and assist. I have a large passion for making art accessible to EVERYONE and often in black and brown communities people have the vision but not the tools and resources to execute it. Almost every shoot I’ve done, I like to turn it into a learning lesson or safe space to explore creatively with people who want to learn.

I think what sets me apart from others is my desire to have EVERYONE who enters my photo studio leave more confident and comfortable than before. I have a genuine passion for showcasing people as the most powerful and confident versions of themselves.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Transparency, honesty, and drive are all traits that help manifest the type of people you want to be in your life. Every mentor I’ve had was immediately drawn to my thirst to learn as much as I can about my interest. Also, don’t be afraid to have friends become your mentors~! Sometimes, the input we need can come from the people we have around us.

Contact Info:

• Website: auriesingletary.com
• Phone: 14048895883
• Email: auriesingletary@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gullahgeecheeprincess/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009070765308

Image Credit:
Aurie Singletary

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