Deanna Griffin
Deanna Griffin, born in South Carolina in 1998, is an Atlanta-based filmmaker, cinematographer, camera operator, and photographer. She creates work that illuminates narratives of underrepresented communities, drawing inspiration from her personal experiences as a suburban Black woman who has also faced marginalization in other areas of her life. Her photography explores identity, community, and the complex realities of growing up Black and navigating spaces where she has often been underrepresented, while also capturing moments of grief and the ways people process it. The works presented in this exhibit were captured in 2020, a pivotal moment in the United States, reflecting her perspective as a young Black woman in her early 20s. Through her lens, Deanna crafts visual stories that resonate with authenticity, empathy, and connection.
Contact: media@deannag.com
"To Be A Black Girl (In America)"
This photo series serves as a visual extension of the short film, capturing the layered emotions and lived experiences of Black womanhood in America. Each image stands as a still meditation on identity, strength, and softness—echoing the film’s exploration of resilience and empowerment. Through expressive portraiture and intentional composition, the series honors the beauty and complexity of being unapologetically Black and female. (August 2020)
“To Be A Black Girl - In America”
This still shot was pulled from the short film in this series that explores the intricate tapestry of Black womanhood in America. Captured in the summer of 2020, a pivotal moment in the United States amid recent Black Lives Matter protests, it reflects her perspective as a young Black woman in the USA. Through striking visuals and powerful quotes from luminaries like Malcolm X, the film offers a glimpse into the burdens and triumphs of Black girls as they navigate their lives. It’s more than a film—it’s a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and the beauty of being unapologetically Black.
"Griffin's Barbershop" The Series
This photo series captures my father visiting his father's barbershop a few months after my grandfather’s passing, as we begin packing up. The first image shows him viewing the quotes and reflecting, while the second focuses on the register, once central to the shop’s busy, active daily life. My grandfather opened Griffin’s Barbershop on Pine Street in Thomson, GA, in the early 1970s. For over 40 years, it was a cornerstone of the community, a place where people stopped by for a fresh cut or simply to connect. (December 2020)
