Dierra Font
Born in Florida and raised around the globe, Hawaiian-based photographer and creative strategist Dierra Font creates work that explores identity, memory, and the intersections of culture and environment. She is drawn to the quiet moments of vulnerability and beauty in everyday life. She thrives in capturing stories that invite reflection, connection, and deeper engagement with the world around her. While discovering film photography in Hawaii, she became captivated by the deliberate pace and intentionality of the medium, shaping a practice that spans narrative, portraiture, and cultural exploration. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, HuffPost, and Love Magazine, and she has collaborated with institutions including Nike, Red Bull, and VH1.
Contact: dierrafont@gmail.com
In this series identity is felt before it is seen. Shot in deep black and white Akili’s features dissolve into shadow yet her presence fills the frame. Strength, vulnerability, and self-possession live in every glance and gesture. Her identity shines without color or adornment. The longer you look the more it speaks the more weight it carries and the more her truth is revealed. The series capture identity not as something seen, but as something felt. An intimate expression of a Black woman fully present in her own power.
“The Presence of Absence”
Facing away from the camera, Akili’s body becomes its own narrative. Even unseen, her presence commands the frame. It’s a reminder that identity is felt, even when not revealed.
I identify as a Black woman with French heritage and my cultural experiences have deeply shaped the way I see the world and approach my art. Growing up with a mix of traditions and perspectives has made me attuned to the nuances of identity, community, and resilience. My lens is drawn to moments that reveal connection, expression, and the everyday strength of the people and places around me, reflecting the vibrancy and complexity of my culture.
