Cornell Watson, Photographer

The Documented Heart

Cornell Watson is a Dope-Ass Black photographer based in Durham, North Carolina. He frequently contributes photography to national publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Bloomberg. He has also photographed national ad campaigns for companies such as T-Mobile, MeUndies, Bombas, and Adidas. His photography centers Black stories and has been featured in museums such as The Mint Museum, Nasher Museum of Art, and most recently at the National Civil Rights Museum with a solo exhibition titled “Tarred Healing”. When he’s not watching the 1000th episode of CoComelon, being the best spouse in the world, problem-solving changing his baby diaper blowouts in men’s bathrooms without changing stations, or editing photos while his five-year-old daughter edits the furniture with non-washable crayons, you can find him passed out from exhaustion on the living room couch.

In this episode, Cornell reflects on his transition into becoming a professional photographer, the artistry sparked by his love of music, and how making a photograph eternalizes moments and how it can be a form of resistance by helping preserve and tell black stories.

Visit Cornell's website: Durham Commerical, Editorial, and Family Photographer

Take his next class through Illuminate Classes - registration opens 3/27!

As always, you can learn more about what we do at thedocumentedheart.com

And follow along on Instagram @thedocumentedheart