Photographer Lelanie Foster is getting her flowers after capturing a historic portrait of judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who just became the first Black woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court.
“Today the White House partnered with photographer, Lelanie Foster, from the Bronx, NY to take Judge Jackson’s first portrait following her historic bipartisan Senate confirmation,” a White House official said in a statement to Blavity.
Foster’s photo is being shared widely across the internet. Oprah is among the prominent figures who has praised the portrait. As she shared the photo on Instagram, Oprah cited the poem “I Am a Black Woman” by Mari Evans.
“I am a Black woman,” the poem reads. “Tall as a cypress. Strong. Defying place and time. And circumstance. Assailed. Impervious. Indestructible. Look on me and be renewed.”
Oprah said the poem “feels extremely defining in this moment.”
Foster’s photo is also featured on Beyoncé’s website. Foster, a New York native, is known for capturing Black beauty in her pictures. According to the photographer’s bio, much of her work is focused on “themes of identity, sisterhood, beauty, and community.”
The young artist showed off her work in Queen & Slim when she was chosen to visually interpret the movie through her photography. Foster has also displayed her work in several commercial, fashion and documentary projects. In addition, she has been featured in publications by Nike, The New York Times, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Chanel and many others.
Foster spoke to Ebony Magazine after capturing the historic photo of Jackson.
“Anytime we see a Black woman, in front and in these kinds of situations, it becomes incredibly affirming. For us to see them recognized, celebrated and honored is beautiful,” she said. “For me to be just a piece of that and to have spent that time with Justice Brown Jackson in this moment that celebrates her is so special. I feel like I, too, am seen and heard in this way for such a positive reason. It makes me reflect on how important this is for all Black women to see these moments exist. It’s encouraging.”
Foster was “ecstatic, floored and shocked” when she was asked to capture Jackson’s photo.
“A phone call came in from my agent telling me that this opportunity came up on the heels of one of history’s biggest moments and she asked ‘Are you ready?’” the artist said.
The opportunity came after Foster recently photographed Black women attending Harvard Law School, Jackson’s alma mater.
“So, it is a very full circle moment and I’m filled with so many different emotions. I feel very honored and embraced by a community of Black lawyers at this time,” Foster said.
Sharing the photo on her own Instagram page, Foster said “it was an honor, your honor. Today we made history.”
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For Foster, exploring Black womanhood and identity through photography gives her a “really intimate access and space” to connect with her subjects.
“I always go into all of my projects with this feeling of honoring and celebrating who’s in front of the lens,” she told Ebony. “Every single time I’m on a shoot, it comes with that same kind of energy and frame of mind.”
Photography also gives Foster “an opportunity to make a mark and to create an image that gets out there into the world, an image that can be celebrated today and always.”
“All visuals are so important—so for me to be able to have the power to create intimate, celebratory imagery of black women is highly important,” she said.
