In her forthcoming book Note To Self, which includes editorials, photo essays and poetry from Black artists from around the country, creative director Chasidy Chevonne creates a visual diary about her experiences as a black woman navigating the world.
“This project collection and reflection of my thoughts — explorer through different subjects, she tells Vogue. "Leaning on my experiences in Black womanhood I’m able to create narratives that reflect not only my story, but the stories of many women around me. Family, emotions, and healing are a common theme, in the photography and my short writings as well.”
Chasidy also spoke about her transition from stylist to creative director. "Historically the term creative director in art books have been intimidating, feeling as though they are reserved for an elite few," she said. "Now we are in an age where Black artists can no longer be ignored and deserve positions at the top of the creative industry,”
For one section of the book, Chasidy and I focused on Chasidy‘s family in Texas. These images amplify the sense of communal love that can be found in rural southern communities. The photographs were made in the Texas towns of Edna, El Campo, and Wharton.
As the past few weeks have been traumatic for Black people around the world, we want these images to be a form of visual healing. As the photographer, this experience was like nothing I have done before. Working primarily within documentary and street photography, you are constantly in a battle with respect to people s time. In this project, I was given access and treated as though I was one of the family.
The elders in the photographs were moved by our interests in their stories and documenting them. The younger people in the photos, most of whom are Chasidy‘s cousins and who are all in their teens, now have photographs of themselves being elevated as icons, something worth being proud of.
We have decided to release a small selection of these photographs in celebration of Juneteenth and the tight-knit communities of southern Black folks who descend from this history. Their stories should be celebrated.
Note to Self set to come out late 2020
Photography: Rahim Fortune
Creative Direction
Styling: Chasidy Chevonne
Hair: Salma Ekambi
Makeup: Tonia O.
Nails: Alex Smith