Publications
Partners
24-year-old makeup artist, Moshoodat Sanni, in unison with photographer Joey Rosado, produced a unique photoset, “Moshoodat”, displaying black beauty in a way we’ve never seen before.
According to an interview with BuzzFeed News, the photoset was crafted to emancipate and motivate black women and aims to unleash their inner beauty.
When W24 asked Moshoodat why this series was so important to her, she said: “My biggest thing is making black beauty mainstream. I believe a lot of us black women don't have a lot to look at for inspiration! I’ve always wanted us to be put on the same pedestal as The Kardashians or Marilyn Monroe and see our own glory for what it is and to just recognize our black girl magic!”
Read more: 10 ways the beauty industry tells you being beautiful means being white
Although Moshoodat had wanted to start the project a long time ago, there were some challenges along the way. That changed when she bonded with 30-year-old photographer, Joey Rosado.
“I was about to quit makeup altogether. I had all these ideas in my brain about things I wanted to create on black women, and a lot of photographers I worked with turned these ideas down! Joey convinced me not to give up on makeup and to try out some of my concepts,” she said about his involvement in the project.
The project originally began with Moshoodat as the model, and the delightful results led herself and Joey to contact other models who are evidently dominant on the web. Moshoodat highlighted that working with these models was her greatest joy.
“Each model came and blessed me with things; knowledge, wisdom, positive energy and strength! And I feel like I've grown as a woman just by being able to interact and converse with all of these influential people!” exclaimed Moshoodat.
One particularly influential model is Ericka Hart. A gripping picture of her, which exposed her breast cancer scars, went viral last month at Afropunk 2016. Moshoodat appreciates Ericka’s splendour and desired her participation in the project to promote awareness for Breast Cancer Month.
Ericka, a 30-year-old sexuality teacher from New York, told BuzzFeed News that the general media needs to be more aware of inclusivity and that breast cancer awareness campaigns are “often consistent with the media’s erasure of marginalised communities.”
Moshoodat also credited a South African model known as TT, for the photoset’s resounding success. She is hugely appreciative of TT, and described the special relationship that they share: “She went from being a model I met on set to being a good friend. We built an amazing bond and she's been encouraging me to keep going all the way from South Africa.”
The photoset has been viewed by numerous people from across the globe. It was more successful than what Moshoodat imagined it would be.
“I haven't gotten one negative review at all! Like the love I've been receiving from not just black women, but all women, has been out of this world! I literally can't believe the amount of love and attention it’s been receiving! I think it’s because the project came from (my) heart and I literally had no expectations for this. Like, I'm so humbled and grateful for this experience, and (at) this moment, I know the best is yet to come.”
The rest of the photoset can be seen on Joey Rosado's website. You can also follow him on Instagram, Twitter and like his Facebook page.
Visit Moshoodat's website to see more of her work. Alternatively, follow her on Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to her YouTube channel.
All images courtesy of Moshoodat Sanni and Joey Rosado.
Learn to experiment with makeup:
