Phyllis Iller

10/10/2021

I’m so very thrilled to be a part of this show! They sent out a call and, when I saw Octavia Butler was an inspiration, I knew I had to get down with the get down. We were asked to imagine the world in 100 years, what Black folk gon look like then?

Come find out wit us 😉
_________

Repost from @tracymurrellart
•
Have you thought about what our world might be like one hundred years into the future?
In an era of Sci-fi films and contemplation about the future, oftentimes black people are omitted from being included in the answer to that question. 
Join us at Southwest Arts Center for the “Next Hundred Years” exhibition co-curated by Ren Dillard and myself where we explore imagery based in Afro Futurism. 16 talented black artists will be showcasing their works of art that illustrate what 100 year into our future might look like. I’m excited to see you all there! 
Opening Reception │October 16th 7PM - 9PM │Southwest Arts Center
. . .
#art
#contemporaryart
#atlanta

I’m so very thrilled to be a part of this show! They sent out a call and, when I saw Octavia Butler was an inspiration, I knew I had to get down with the get down. We were asked to imagine the world in 100 years, what Black folk gon look like then?

Come find out wit us 😉
_________

Repost from @tracymurrellart
•
Have you thought about what our world might be like one hundred years into the future?
In an era of Sci-fi films and contemplation about the future, oftentimes black people are omitted from being included in the answer to that question. 
Join us at Southwest Arts Center for the “Next Hundred Years” exhibition co-curated by Ren Dillard and myself where we explore imagery based in Afro Futurism. 16 talented black artists will be showcasing their works of art that illustrate what 100 year into our future might look like. I’m excited to see you all there! 
Opening Reception │October 16th 7PM - 9PM │Southwest Arts Center
. . .
#art
#contemporaryart
#atlanta

10/03/2021

Today with Christina (@themilkyyywaaay). 🌺🌼✨🌼🌺

#PhyllisIller #ReclaimYourself

09/28/2021

Mommy + Daddy.
__________

My moms sent this to me and my first thought was: “…this s**t wild.”

I remember my parents looking like this. Happy, complementary, affluent. Huxtables come to life.

Memories flooded back.

An all white formal living room with powder blue s**g carpeting that I loved to tug on with my bare toes during Christmas (the only time kids was allowed in that room).

Parties where all children were relegated to the downstairs den and I snuck upstairs to taste the “good snacks” and received a sharp pinch on the back of my arm for disobeying at the exact moment a guest complimented me on how much I looked like my mother.

Quietly tense dinners that followed an argument that we (my brothers and I) were supposed to act like we didn’t hear. While forks and knives scraped on plates, I couldn’t see what was to come, but maybe I felt it. I worried.

Sneaky jabs and digs that were covered when company came around. Two adults playing the roles they chose to step into, but came to resent. A well to do family in a big house where love didn’t live anymore.

My parents divorced a few years after this photo was taken and, as an almost 36 year old woman, I’m still working through those feels. This s**t wild.

As a child, I was given a blueprint for a home I never want to build. Thankfully, I am the architect, what I choose to build will be an improvement on the initial design.

Mommy + Daddy.
__________

My moms sent this to me and my first thought was: “…this s**t wild.”

I remember my parents looking like this. Happy, complementary, affluent. Huxtables come to life.

Memories flooded back.

An all white formal living room with powder blue s**g carpeting that I loved to tug on with my bare toes during Christmas (the only time kids was allowed in that room).

Parties where all children were relegated to the downstairs den and I snuck upstairs to taste the “good snacks” and received a sharp pinch on the back of my arm for disobeying at the exact moment a guest complimented me on how much I looked like my mother.

Quietly tense dinners that followed an argument that we (my brothers and I) were supposed to act like we didn’t hear. While forks and knives scraped on plates, I couldn’t see what was to come, but maybe I felt it. I worried.

Sneaky jabs and digs that were covered when company came around. Two adults playing the roles they chose to step into, but came to resent. A well to do family in a big house where love didn’t live anymore.

My parents divorced a few years after this photo was taken and, as an almost 36 year old woman, I’m still working through those feels. This s**t wild.

As a child, I was given a blueprint for a home I never want to build. Thankfully, I am the architect, what I choose to build will be an improvement on the initial design.

09/26/2021

What a beautiful session this thang was, especially because of the conversation Teni-Ola and I had. Her sentiments are echoed below - but it’s wonderful seeing someone admit their nervousness, yet stand SO fully in who they are that any nerves are inconsequential! This Black mama is determined to be the best she can be for her child. ✨

🕊 The Black Woman is God. 🕊

Repost from @mzambitious
•
God is a BLACK woman!

I always say this with emphasis on Black women. Black women are the mothers of all mankind. Black women birthed the entire world and continue to nurture seeds and represent Mother Earth. Read and debate whatever and whomever necessary to gain and digest the facts. The Black woman is God!

Within the next month I will enter motherhood as a Black woman. The responsibility of Black mothering to meet the ambitious standards I set for every role I take on is overwhelming. Yet the honor of being a Black mother and giving Black motherhood and my Black children my best effort gives me the endurance and motivation for whatever awaits me on this journey.

#GodIsABlackWoman #TheBlackWomanIsGod #BlackWomen #MothersOfAllMankind #MotherEarth #MotherAfrica #BlackMotherMagic #BlackMothers #BlackMotherhood #BlackMaternity #MaternityPhotography #PhyllisIllerPhotography 📸: @phyllis.iller

What a beautiful session this thang was, especially because of the conversation Teni-Ola and I had. Her sentiments are echoed below - but it’s wonderful seeing someone admit their nervousness, yet stand SO fully in who they are that any nerves are inconsequential! This Black mama is determined to be the best she can be for her child. ✨

🕊 The Black Woman is God. 🕊

Repost from @mzambitious
•
God is a BLACK woman!

I always say this with emphasis on Black women. Black women are the mothers of all mankind. Black women birthed the entire world and continue to nurture seeds and represent Mother Earth. Read and debate whatever and whomever necessary to gain and digest the facts. The Black woman is God!

Within the next month I will enter motherhood as a Black woman. The responsibility of Black mothering to meet the ambitious standards I set for every role I take on is overwhelming. Yet the honor of being a Black mother and giving Black motherhood and my Black children my best effort gives me the endurance and motivation for whatever awaits me on this journey.

#GodIsABlackWoman #TheBlackWomanIsGod #BlackWomen #MothersOfAllMankind #MotherEarth #MotherAfrica #BlackMotherMagic #BlackMothers #BlackMotherhood #BlackMaternity #MaternityPhotography #PhyllisIllerPhotography 📸: @phyllis.iller

09/14/2021

BLACK MOTHERHOOD
__________

I had the pleasure of photographing the attendees of Sister Song’s (@sistersong_woc) Black Breastfeeding Week celebration.

So much sweetness! What we, as women, can do with our bodies is wonderful, amazing, intimate, lovely, divine. We birth them, no easy feat, then we nurture them in every way.

It, of course, reminded me of 10 years ago, the days when I breastfed my daughter. Those quiet moments where we simply looked into each other’s eyes while she fed. The feeling of her little hands kneading my breasts, encouraging milk to flow. The milk drunk face when she was finished. The love I felt, the power I felt…almost unmatched.

My body sustained another body for one whole year. ✨

It also reminded me to never put a limit on what I like to photograph - I’d say things like “I ain’t the photographer to go into the woods and photograph families” 🥴 But look at me now, God. I amend that statement to say this:

I love photographing intimacy. Periodt. What that looks like, I’ll let you decide.
_________

Shout out to Sister Song for putting together such a wonderful event! They fight to our rights as women so find out how you can help or how they can support YOU.
_________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #BlackBreastfeedingWeek #BlackBreastfeedingMonth #Motherhood #BlackMotherhood #BlackMothers #BlackBabies #Breastfeeding #BlackBreastfeeding #Intimacy #Sweetness #SweetSpots #Breastfeed #Portrait

09/06/2021

When I saw this clip last year, I smiled at the peace he seemingly found on the dance floor. Knowing all the rough s**t he went through in his life, he still was able to loosen enough to find his freedom. ✨

Much love to @bkbmg. I pray his family finds comfort.

09/04/2021

“More tender than a roni but harder than a jawbreaker” - @mclyte
________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #Voltron #GenisisFresh #EverythangDope

“More tender than a roni but harder than a jawbreaker” - @mclyte
________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #Voltron #GenisisFresh #EverythangDope

08/26/2021

Practice sho nuff makes perfect. Got some great lighting setup cards from @lindsayadler_photo and decided to do a combination lighting test.

I’m pleased. Swipe for the money shot! 😉✨
________

Equipment:
@impactstudiolighting 22in beauty dish
Impact 3x4 softbox
@interfitphoto S1 strobes

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #LightStudy #LightWork #LightTest

08/26/2021

New modifier. New work. New frustrations. I love it. ✨

#MelissaAlexander

08/23/2021

For those who inquired, a limited run of prints is now available on my website! Tap the link in my bio. ✨
_________

If you haven’t already, take a peek at the virtual exhibit, VOLTRON: A Manifestation of Togetherness! We bodied this joint!

Body Art: @genisisfresh
Styling: @everythangdope
Model: @wildseedwildflower
Asst: @nneka.nichole
_________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #VOLTRON #PrintSale

For those who inquired, a limited run of prints is now available on my website! Tap the link in my bio. ✨
_________

If you haven’t already, take a peek at the virtual exhibit, VOLTRON: A Manifestation of Togetherness! We bodied this joint!

Body Art: @genisisfresh
Styling: @everythangdope
Model: @wildseedwildflower
Asst: @nneka.nichole
_________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #VOLTRON #PrintSale

08/18/2021

If there’s one thing I wish I had done differently during this session, it’s capturing more behind the scenes.

That’s where the magic was boiling hot, and I’ll tell you why:

1. Jen (@genisisfresh) worked diligently for about an hour and a half, painting Mecca (@wildseedwildflower). Every time I looked at Jen, it’s like I could see the gears in her brain whizzing away. Each stroke of the brush was meticulous.

Before the session, Jen asked me what I was looking for, I told her, “Just do your thing.” And look how God moved through her hand!

2. Nikki (@everythangdope) provided the fur coat and jewelry that was utilized. She got a spidey sense on fly s**t - thrifting properly is a skill and Nik exemplifies this in every way. She got the golden touch.

When Jen was finished, Nikki began draping Mecca in all this gold. Mecca’s hair was up in a high ponytail, but it was Nikki who thought to freak the ponytail even further. It took the overall look to another level. We was in studio like “Yoooooooo 🤯”

3. Mecca is an incredible model and allowed herself to be painted, draped, and posed. But here’s the thing, I explained to Mecca that she and I were going essentially about to perform a dance. Where she led, I followed, where I led, she followed, with no hiccups. It was refreshing, to say the least.

4. Nneka, assistant on the shoot (eem though she didn’t know she was gonna be when she got to the studio 😆😏), was on point, as always. An assistant doesn’t just help you move lights, hand you a camera, etc, an assistant also offers honest feedback in real time. They sit in when you need to test some lighting s**t out and make goofy poses while doing so.
_________

I say all this to say - If congratulate me on the beauty of Voltron, thank you, but know that you’re also congratulating 4 other women who gave a piece of themselves to this project. ✨

08/18/2021

Phyllis Iller - where love reigns supreme and growth is key

Our first virtual exhibit, “VOLTRON: A Manifeststion of Togetherness,” is now live and direct on our website.

https://www.phyllisiller.com/v-o-l-t-r-o-n

The session was born like any other: someone had a spark and it lit a fire under the rest of us. In this case, I had an idea that just wouldn’t quit.

08/18/2021

“Voltron: A Manifestation of Togetherness” is now live. ✨ Go peep when you have a moment.

Link in bio.
________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #Voltron #GenisisFresh #EverythangDope #WhenOurPowersCombineFaceAss #NoEgo #JustUs

“Voltron: A Manifestation of Togetherness” is now live. ✨ Go peep when you have a moment.

Link in bio.
________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #Voltron #GenisisFresh #EverythangDope #WhenOurPowersCombineFaceAss #NoEgo #JustUs

08/17/2021

Tomorrow, a virtual exhibit entitled “Voltron” will be live and direct on my website. I hope you see it. ✨
________

Team:
@genisisfresh
@everythangdope
@wildseedwildflower
@nneka.nichole
@phyllis.iller
________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #Voltron #GenisisFresh #EverythangDope #WhenOurPowersCombineFaceAss

Tomorrow, a virtual exhibit entitled “Voltron” will be live and direct on my website. I hope you see it. ✨
________

Team:
@genisisfresh
@everythangdope
@wildseedwildflower
@nneka.nichole
@phyllis.iller
________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #Voltron #GenisisFresh #EverythangDope #WhenOurPowersCombineFaceAss

08/16/2021

“I call my brotha sun, cause he shine like one” ✨🙌🏾
_________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #GoldiGold #InvestInGold #ButBeforeThat #Jungle45

“I call my brotha sun, cause he shine like one” ✨🙌🏾
_________

#PhyllisIller #MelissaAlexander #GoldiGold #InvestInGold #ButBeforeThat #Jungle45

08/14/2021

Get you a woman who can do both 😉

#IShallCallHerSugah #SugahStarshine

Get you a woman who can do both 😉

#IShallCallHerSugah #SugahStarshine

08/13/2021

If it’s one thang Melissa Mitchell (@abeillecreations) gon do, she gon shine. Been a pleasure to work with her on some things that have pushed me outside my comfort zone.

I think I like it there. ✨
_________

#DoubleTheMelissa #DoubleTheFun #MelissaAlexander #MelissaMitchell #PhyllisIller #AbeilleCreations

If it’s one thang Melissa Mitchell (@abeillecreations) gon do, she gon shine. Been a pleasure to work with her on some things that have pushed me outside my comfort zone.

I think I like it there. ✨
_________

#DoubleTheMelissa #DoubleTheFun #MelissaAlexander #MelissaMitchell #PhyllisIller #AbeilleCreations

08/09/2021

Another milestone for the books: published by the Washington Post (@washingtonpost) ✨
________

Photographing Robert Peterson was quite possibly the hardest gig I’ve had - his mother, Yong Ae Yue, was one of the victims of the Atlanta Spa Murders. As we sat in Robert’s home, his mother’s home, her spirit was as palpable as his pain. I sat next to Michelle (Michelle Ye Hee Lee]) as she asked questions from an empathetic place and, as he answered them, tears flowed.

I was momentarily paralyzed - how does one make a portrait of someone else’s pain? Documenting with a silent shutter felt sneaky - I wanted Robert to know each time I clicked the shutter. Intentional photographs as an affirmation: “I’m present with you.”

After the interview, Robert and I were momentarily alone in the backyard. He held a framed photo of his mother in his lap and I wanted to offer him words of condolence. I didn’t know this man, but my heart wouldn’t let me photograph him without saying something. Tears fell on both our cheeks, for Ms. Yue, for Robert, for this sad circumstance that I wouldn’t wish on anyone but had brought us together. I told him that he gained an ancestor who would never leave his side and was probably wrapping her arms around him even as we spoke.

And then we made this portrait.
________

Special thank you to @kdombsadof for my first, albeit tough, assignment - very thankful for the opportunity to grow.
__________

Repost from Michelle Ye Hee Lee]
•
Five months since their mom Yong Ae Yue was killed in the Atlanta shootings, her half-Black, half-Korean sons are searching for greater meaning in her life and death. They marched for Black Lives Matter, and now their mom’s murder has galvanized Stop AAPI Hate.

As the sons of the only Asian victim in the Atlanta shootings who had biracial children, the Peterson brothers want to help bring the Black and Asian American communities together in the broader, multiracial fight for equity and justice.

We bemoan how the public moves on so quickly from tragedies, but as journalists we have the power to do something about that.
_________

#MelissaAlexander #Editorial #WashingtonPost #StopAsianHate #Empathy #Vulnerability

Another milestone for the books: published by the Washington Post (@washingtonpost) ✨
________

Photographing Robert Peterson was quite possibly the hardest gig I’ve had - his mother, Yong Ae Yue, was one of the victims of the Atlanta Spa Murders. As we sat in Robert’s home, his mother’s home, her spirit was as palpable as his pain. I sat next to Michelle (Michelle Ye Hee Lee]) as she asked questions from an empathetic place and, as he answered them, tears flowed.

I was momentarily paralyzed - how does one make a portrait of someone else’s pain? Documenting with a silent shutter felt sneaky - I wanted Robert to know each time I clicked the shutter. Intentional photographs as an affirmation: “I’m present with you.”

After the interview, Robert and I were momentarily alone in the backyard. He held a framed photo of his mother in his lap and I wanted to offer him words of condolence. I didn’t know this man, but my heart wouldn’t let me photograph him without saying something. Tears fell on both our cheeks, for Ms. Yue, for Robert, for this sad circumstance that I wouldn’t wish on anyone but had brought us together. I told him that he gained an ancestor who would never leave his side and was probably wrapping her arms around him even as we spoke.

And then we made this portrait.
________

Special thank you to @kdombsadof for my first, albeit tough, assignment - very thankful for the opportunity to grow.
__________

Repost from Michelle Ye Hee Lee]
•
Five months since their mom Yong Ae Yue was killed in the Atlanta shootings, her half-Black, half-Korean sons are searching for greater meaning in her life and death. They marched for Black Lives Matter, and now their mom’s murder has galvanized Stop AAPI Hate.

As the sons of the only Asian victim in the Atlanta shootings who had biracial children, the Peterson brothers want to help bring the Black and Asian American communities together in the broader, multiracial fight for equity and justice.

We bemoan how the public moves on so quickly from tragedies, but as journalists we have the power to do something about that.
_________

#MelissaAlexander #Editorial #WashingtonPost #StopAsianHate #Empathy #Vulnerability