Meet Tiffany Hobbs: Photoactivist.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiffany Hobbs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve made other people’s dreams come true for years. I decided it was time to invest the same amount of time into my love for black people, and my own creativity and business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Nothing sets me apart. I’m no more special than the next person, and no more talented than the legions of cool kids, like my nephew, making use of their camera phones and keen eyes. But what I’m most proud of is how people react to the work. When people are moved by a photo that I’ve taken- angry, saddened, joyous, shocked- the photo becomes an imprint that will long outlive the moment in which it was captured. I’m proud to witness those moments and to be able to see their value and beauty. THAT sets the photo apart- the emotion. How alive it feels. Getting to this point professionally and personally hasn’t been a cakewalk. Imposter Syndrome is sometimes a blemish that I try and fail to remove. It’s challenging to share what you see with others who may not see it your way. But what keeps me going is understanding that my eye- what I frame in the photograph- deserves to be seen, and it’s up to me either share it or bury it. And I’ve grown tired of burying things. We all should be tired of burying things. That’s my story- stop burying my/yourself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friends are no strangers to L.A. but I’d gladly have them meet me at Hot and Cool Cafe for an avocado grilled cheese and tea, before going over to Sika’s store to chat with the legend himself. I’d try to not spend all my money on imported fans and baskets. Sika’s shop is no joke. We might go book-browsing at Eso Won, and then finish up with a treat at Harun. Chace welcomes everyone in like nobody’s business. I imagine Sole Folks would be poppin- it always is. We’d bob our heads at the uncolonized drum circle. I said what I said. Essentially, we’d post up in Leimert for as long as we were able to. Given that we’re in a pandemic, things would be abbreviated, but I appreciate that Leimert, for all intents and purposes, is doing its best to keep people and the community, safe, black, and full of joy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A major shoutout to God for closing doors and opening windows. And as always, I have to shoutout my mother for her loving support, visions, and comforting words, my grandfather, Riney Bryson Sr., for doing it by any means necessary, and my beautiful inner circle for putting up with/pushing me with heart, patience, and reciprocal energy. Love all y’all. Also, shoutout to Carrie Mae Weems, Gordon Parks, Kiese Laymon, and dream hampton for loving us courageously and without pause. And definitely big love to my 3rd grade teacher and forever friend, Mitch, for championing my creativity then and now.

Website: tiffography.threadless.com

Instagram: instagram.com/heytiffography

Facebook: facebook.com/spiffytiffyh

Other: ebony.com/entertainment/in-our-cities-south-central-la https://www.vice.com/en/article/4wqkz3/california-has-its-own-version-of-stand-your-ground
https://www.culturalweekly.com/author/tiffany-m-hobbs/
gawker.com/chains-by-any-other-name-1725871573 wearyourvoicemag.com/culture/missy-elliot-hip-hop

Image Credits
Photography credit for all photos – Tiffany Hobbs