My favorite photographers of the moment that you can bring home
I've had a bit of a hiatus on here. Life got busy on multiple fronts, and writing on Substack was the first thing to fall by the wayside. It's one of the most time-intensive parts of the work I do, but it's also what keeps my ear to the ground and my creativity flowing. So, I’m back with a new goal: publishing one delicious piece a month. (Shout-out to for talking me off the ledge about how frequently I post — or don’t! — and reminding me to focus on writing quality content. It really can be that simple. If you haven’t already, check her out. She’s just as wise, funny, and delightful online as she is IRL.)
Photography has been top of mind lately as I’ve been working on my first curatorial project with The Friday Gallery. My last post was a selection of recent photography collections and artists that used the medium to highlight and shift perceptions. Today, I want to share some of my favorite photographers, each of whom brings soul, stories, and unique perspectives to their work.
In working with my clients, we talk a lot about what art resonates with them and their personal histories. The questions you ask when selecting photography are similar to those for other forms of art: Does the style and aesthetic resonate with me? Does the piece set the right tone for the space—grounding, vibrant, dramatic, or something else entirely? However, photography tends to be more affordable than fine art paintings, and you can still discover remarkable artists whose work captures moments that feel like shared secrets between you and the subject.
(Side note: As I pulled this list together, I realized I’d already highlighted a few of my favorites in one of my early LOTA posts. So, consider this a re-share of those artists— Thalia Gochez, Derrick Ofosou Boateng, and Ashish Shah—who continue to create incredible work, and I’ve loved watching each of their stars rise. If you haven’t read it before check it out below).
Without further ado, here are some of my recent favorite photographers.
Mancie Rathod
Mancie Rathod’s work captures the intimate beauty of everyday life in India, focusing on the simplicity of domestic scenes and vibrant street life. Her images often reflect a quiet stillness, drawing viewers into the overlooked moments that tell rich, cultural stories. Rathod has an eye for creating a visual narrative that feels both familiar and personal.
Mancie’s work is available for purchase on No Borders Shop.
Nadia Attura
Nadia Attura’s photography blurs the line between the real and surreal, often transporting viewers to dreamlike landscapes. Her process involves photographing on location and then layering images with paint, chalk, and ink to create reimagined scenes. Her work often feels like a glimpse into an deeply familiar, yet mystical world, where scenes are transformed into atmospheric, meditative spaces.
Nadia’s work is available through her shop.
Kate Berry
Kate Berry’s photography captures quiet, contemplative moments from everyday life, often with a focus on architecture, nature, and the interplay of light and shadow. Her work is defined by a soft, minimalistic aesthetic that emphasizes clean lines, muted tones, and thoughtful composition. Berry’s eye for detail and her use of negative space create serene, evocative images that draw the viewer into a sense of calm and stillness.
Reach out via Instagram or email on her website for more details.
Fares Micue
Fares Micue’s photography blends reality with imagination, creating surreal, dreamlike compositions with as she says, “whole stories captures within a frame”. Her work often features solitary figures in striking landscapes, intertwined with symbolic elements such as flowers, balloons, or vibrant foliage. The use of bold colors with precise compositions gives her images a sense of ethereal beauty and wonder.
Fares’ work is available through Saatchi.
Jessica Antola
“At the core of my photography is my life of travel and the textures, history, and style that I absorb from my surroundings,” shares Jessica Antola of her work. Antola’s photography captures the vibrancy of everyday life across her travels around the world with an eye for the interplay of textures, colors, and landscapes. Her work feels cinematic and instantly iconic, with each image offering a glimpse into not just the beauty of the moment, but the thread of all the moments that came before it.
Reach out via Instagram or email on her website for more details.
Nadia Girach
Nadia Girach’s work beautifully explores the liminal spaces between culture, identity, and transformation. Her work reflects the nuanced experiences of growing up at the intersection of Western influences and her Muslim faith. Her artwork challenges traditional boundaries, making her an artist to watch as she continues to explore the complexities of identity through her distinctive lens.
Limited editions of her work will be available for the first time at The Friday Gallery from October 18th to November 1st.
If you are in LA, join us for Re/Orient: A Cultural Salon Curated by LOTA where you can also meet Nadia. Limited space available. RSVP here. (UPDATE: RSVPs now full, but we have a waitlist).
I hope this piece inspires you to explore these photographers and discover the stories their work can bring into your home. Whether it’s the quiet intimacy of everyday life, surreal dreamscapes, or vibrant scenes from travels across the globe, each artist offers a unique lens on the world. Their work reminds us that art, like life, thrives in the spaces between moments, where stories unfold in unexpected ways.