BY AMANDA GUNN

Houston-based fashion photographer Cameron Reed, also known as @camsvisualart, is changing the photography game.

From shooting a campaign for Christian Dior in Culture Magazine, to capturing Mechad Brooks for the cover of 26 Magazine, Mr Reed is one to watch.

In a recent tweet, 20-year-old Reed wrote that his mission was “to picture the world how [he] saw it”. 

“As a Black African-American, I look at things through my experiences, struggles and setbacks ... that are higher for us than other people,” Mr Reed said.

After centuries of Black slaves being exploited for entertainment, Mr Reed said it was Black entertainers who were “now getting paid and the ones that set culture and trends”.

“People want and crave difference, there is no point in being a reincarnated version of someone else,” Mr Reed said.

Despite there being few Black photographers, Mr Reed looks up to critically acclaimed Brooklyn-based photographer Tyler Mitchell and hopes to similarly become “a pioneer [and] another vanguard that inspires people”.

“I want to create a collection of Black artwork that highlights and signifies the beauty of Black excellence in high fashion, but also brings all people together,” Mr Reed said.

“We need more diversity, (the fashion industry) is not wide enough.”

Minneapolis-born Native American artist Cameron Mockabee came to Australia in 2017 and has also become a trailblazer in the arts industry. 

“I moved to the most random place I could think of; Australia, to do something different,” Mr Mockabee said.

“I craved creativity, going to college was not something for me.”

Mr Mockabee uses his art to explore his Indigenous background.

“[Art is] a stream of consciousness where I can explode and uncover different concepts,” Mr Mockabee said.

“I often create small designs and then will blow it up onto something big,” he said.

“The Aztec and tribal patterns are my ancestors [who reside] in me.”

“I very much believe in intergenerational trauma - my work is rooted in this”.

Despite his affinity for Melbourne, Mr Mockabee said he had experienced discrimination in the city and that Australians can be ignorant about their privileged lives.

“From people grabbing my hair to subtle racism under the table, I have faced multiple acts of discrimination in Australia,” Mr Mockabee said.

The American artist said Australia’s treatment of Indigenous people draws similarities to his own country’s prejudice against its Black and Indigenous populations. 

“The ostracisation of people of colour in Australia needs to change,” Mr Mockabee said.

“We need to change the preconceived notions of Black people and teach how they add to society, the economy and [its] successes.”