Bully Magazine - JOSHUA RENFROE

Who are you and where are you from?
I'm Joshua Renfroe, multidisciplinary artist originally from Tuskegee, Alabama. I've lived in New York City since 2015.

What brought you to the Bully world?
The organic connection between Bobby and I on social media. We always shared a mutual appreciation for each other's work. When I was approached with the idea to shoot for Bully, it was a no brainer. I loved ISSUE ZERO. It was so artful and well curated. The alignment was definitely there. It made sense.

Who is someone you admire, and why?
This is a great question. I have a lengthy list but for the sake of time and relevancy I have to shout out Sean Brown. Discovering Sean's work was a game changer for me. He served as the embodiment of an artist whose work is a direct extension of his genuine interests and creative excellence. His fusion of hip hop culture, design, architecture, curation, and style produces a signature aesthetic universe that is inspiring a generation of artists, myself included. In Sean's world, there are no limits, just well curated vibes. His journey is riveting to follow. Photographing Sean for my first zine cover was beyond impactful. As an image maker, the experience of capturing someone you admire adds a special layer of gratitude. I'm forever thankful to BULLY for creating this powerhouse platform for artists to be seen and heard.

As a black male photographer, have you seen any shifts in the industry when it comes to print publication?
I have seen some shifts that involve celebrating black artists both in front and behind the camera. Through one lens, there is a performative nature to the representation we see, but through another lens I'm happy for the talented black artists who are sharing their gifts and perspectives to the world on a large platform.

Do you have any advice for any young up and coming black photographers when shooting for a magazine?
My advice to young up and coming black photographers is to be intentional about your moves. Study the publication! Understand their identity and confirm if that identity aligns with your artistic aesthetic and interests. Ask the editors what exactly they enjoy about your work and what elements of your creative style should be brought to the forefront in the editorial. Within this conversation, have a perspective on how your work should show up as well. Prior to fully committing, understand the roadmap to publishing to gain a comprehensive understanding of your contribution. Ask yourself questions like, am I pushing myself enough creatively? Is there something in the concept and execution plan that can be further developed? This will help keep you sharp and could potentially lead to new discoveries. Seek a mentor in the industry -- a go to seasoned professional who can serve as a sounding board and help you navigate through certain scenarios. Most importantly,live in the moment, have fun and shoot for blood!

For those who don’t know, you self-published your book “Black Boy Fly” in 2019. What's next on the horizon for you?
Let's just say I'm getting back to basics. I have stories to tell.

You capture Black male joy beautifully in your work which begs the question do you take the same approach when capturing Black Women?
Absolutely! The black woman is the most influential on the planet. Their beauty naturally radiates in the images which is so enjoyable to be a part of as an image maker. I have so many ideas I want to explore within the spectrum of black womanhood.