American photographer Dawoud Bey sees his work as a political responsibility. He examines his country’s relationship to the legacy of racism, slavery, and violence against Black bodies. Bey was born in New York City, and his early photography documents life in Harlem, then a predominantly Black neighborhood.

Bey’s approach has since evolved beyond traditional documentary photography. He now actively engages with his subjects, posing them and even providing accessories. The artist views his portrait work as a collaboration with historically overlooked communities. Through his lens, he strives to empower his subjects and grant them visibility.

Bey’s extensive body of work includes series such as The Birmingham Project. These portraits commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. The collection Night Coming Tenderly, Black features sites on the Underground Railroad. Bey’s series underscore his interest in US histories and the nation’s collective memory. He uses photography for storytelling and social engagement.