Stories: Anitra and the Dawn

May 04, 2017

Meet Anitra. You may know her images our relaunch party but we brought her back to talk Chicago, style and inspiration. She is a Chicago native and  food photographer. She specializes in capturing the unattractive info and alluring scenes. 
What about Chicago do you love?
I'm originally from the Chicago area but moved to Maryland for a change of scenery and college, but mostly college. When I left Chicago I had no idea how much I'd miss the pace of the city. I always used to joke that I was a city girl. That experience just proved it. There's a certain freedom within Chicago that other cities don't have, I love being able to have access to every part of city and even the suburban life. 
At what moment did you realize you're an adult?
Im pretty convinced we all just make it up as we go along. Adulthood is nothing more than aged children who become wiser through experiences after learning from their mistakes and grievances.
That's why I believe we should take the time to learn and experience new things. 
If money wasn't an object what would your career be?
I'd be photographing captivating fashion editorials and constructing unique still life's. Preferably in different countries, each country would acknowledge an exclusive lens to that counties culture hopefully portraying a certain admiration. 
Any style icons 
Photo wise:
Tim walker, Steven Meisel, Irving penn, and Nadine Irjewere, and Joss Mckinley 
Style wise:
Solange , Sophia Roe, Yara Shahidi, and Nátaly Neri
Biggest role model
My biggest role model is my mother. She's along with the rest of my family has supported me with every breath. She adopted me as a single mother and for the past 21 years it's been the two of us taking on the world. At a young age she demonstrated that it was okay to be comfortable in my skin and conquer as both a female and a black woman. I'll forever be grateful for the experiences she's exposed me to. Because of her I embrace who I am today. 
What is your guilty pleasure
Guilty pleasure: taking a bath with nice cold angry orchards, then in the distance is either How it's made or Sex in the city. 
What do you do to get inspired
I watch films or watch food shows. I photograph mainly fashion or food. I'm attracted to movies that have a certain mood, a movie that I'll always be on my list is Memiors of a Giesha, the cinematography is breathtaking.
Then I watch food shows because it's interesting how and why people pair certain foods with others. Chefs table is naturally a go to.
If you could relive a day in your life, what day would it be? 
If I could relive any day It would be when I was 15, when my mother  and I were living in Lawrence Kansas. Out of the blue my mother tells me she’s going to India for her close friends wedding. After telling me she then asked me if I’d want to go with her, I said no. This is a moment in my life that I’ve always regretted. That single no, what I would give to make it a “yes”. Missing out on that experience has always haunted me and is what makes me take chances now, I never want to feel like I’ve missed out on another unique experience again.
 Favorite type of weather?
My perfect weather combination would consist of the sun out, warmth lingering in the air, slightly humid, and with a light subtle breeze.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Resourceful, protective, free




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