Photographer

It all started with turning a negative situation (having a foggy memory) into a positive one. I always carried around my mini point-and-shoot camera in hopes of capturing magical moments with friends and loved ones. Cumulatively, those moments blossomed into creative documentation of 100+ events across North America.

From photographing local events, to developing stock photos, to composing portraits, I worked on archiving communities that I admired and identified with.

Testimonials

"Fonna was professional & congenial. She provided high quality service and was responsive & accommodating to our needs."
- Previous Client

"You had super-clear policies, you were clear about your offer, your needs, your purpose. I like clarity! Also, your images are brilliant and I loved how you were ready to listen."
- Beth from Little Red Tarot

Education

2013

Gallery 44 x Supporting Our Youth, Film Photography
AGO, Jason Evan’s Portraiture Workshop
Gallery 44 x The Nia Centre for Arts, Film Photography

Group Exhibitions

2015

Vulva Is, Feminist Art Conference, Toronto, ON

2013

Strange Sisters: The Insatiable Redux, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Toronto, ON
Flux, Gallery 44, Toronto, ON
Black to the Future, Sherbourne Health Centre, Toronto, ON

Publications

2016

Switzer, S, Lyaruu, T., Apong, K., Bell, O, Manuel-Smith, C, Hernandez, L., Pariah, S., McWhinney, P.G., Seidu, F., Bykes, A. (2016) What’s glitter got to do with it?: Re-imagining harm reduction, decision-making and the politics of youth engagement. In Smith, C. & Marshall, Z (eds.) Critical Perspectives on Harm Reduction: Conflict, Institutionalization, Co-optation, Depoliticization, and Direct Action. Nova Publishers: New York.

2015

Adventure’s in Nest-Building (Or, How to support place-based youth organizing): A YSI Collaborative Learning Document (Contributing Photographer), December 2015
Chimurenga: Watah Theatre Inaugural (Guest Photographer), December 2015
Sidai 1-4, From The Root Zine: Issue #2 Body, March 2015
Sidai 000 Zine: Stories of Our Bodies, March 2015
Essential Things For Surviving As A Young Black LGBTQ Freelancer, Canadian Media Guild Blog, February 2015

2014

Headwrap Headshots (Amanda), From The Root Zine: Issue #1 Hair, June 2014
NIA Centre 2014 Calendar (August Feature), February 2014
Toronto Youth Equity Strategy: Building Resilience and Supportive Systems (Contributing Photographer), January 2014
Headwrap Headshots Series, 436, York United Black Students’ Alliance, Back Cover, February 2014

2013

Say NO to femme taming and FUCK YEAH to femme claiming, Queer and Trans Suppliment, Excalibur: York University ‘s Community Paper, November 2013
Beads of Survival, Flux, Gallery 44 Zine, page 19, June 2013

Film And Video Art Productions

2014

Route To Love. Director/Editor. Digital Video. 3:13 Minutes. Story about mental health and self- harm as a young Black woman and overcoming this with art.
The Femme Chronicles (work-in-progress). Director/Editor. Digital Video. TBD. Documentary about 4 individuals who identify within the femme spectrum.

Note: I no longer offer photography services, but am happy to refer you to other artists!