Tiff J Sutton

Artist Biography 

Tiff J Sutton is a portrait photographer(b1981). Her work is characterized by the Black gaze, dual perceptions, and unique landscape; by placing Black femininity at the forefront; through complex, layered images, and introspective portraits. She has attended community colleges and Washington University in St. Louis. Sutton has been featured in NPR and Humble Arts Foundations. Sutton has won the 2022 Black Women Photographers + Nikon Grant and was a resident at the Gullkisten Center for Creativity in Laugartvn, Iceland in June 2022. She draws upon Black feminist thought to create abstracted portraits of Black women. She is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

Artist Statement 

My work celebrates the multifaceted identities of Black women, who I photograph in personal spaces, including homes, backyards, and neighborhoods. Through my lens, I seek to capture a sitter’s essence. My richly colored photographs are portraits that testify to individuality, strength, moods, and emotions.

In a world where representations of Black women are subject to external narratives and stereotypes, I aim to offer authentic portrayals that honor my sitters. Each photograph represents an intimate dialogue, a moment where the subject and I connect on a deeper level. When my subjects feel comfortable and in control, their true selves emerge and shine.

My approach is deeply rooted in traditions of analog photography, even as I update them. I embrace film's unpredictable and organic nature, using multiple exposures to layer moments and scenes into unique, cohesive images. Each portrait is a singular imprint, a visual orchestration of each sitter’s inner world with their external environment. Individual homes, backyards, and neighborhoods hold each sitter’s memories, histories, and personal significance and help to draw out genuine expression and emotion. While the spectral appearance of my work may suggest otherwise, I do no digital post-production: Each image is preserved precisely as I captured it on the photographic negative.

Analog photography, with its inherent uncertainties and surprises, mirrors identity's fluid and dynamic nature. The multiple exposures in my work symbolize the layers of experiences, emotions, and histories that shape who we are. Making multiple exposures allows me to capture not just a single moment but a fusion of many, and my images reflect the depth and complexity of my subjects. My photographs are visual poems that speak to the richness of Black women's lives. Each portrait is a labor of love that requires patience, skill, and a deep connection with my subject.

My portraits are intimate, private, profound conversations that invite viewers to look beyond surfaces. They reflect the vibrant tapestry of my community, and each frame tells a story of resilience, beauty, and the rich spectrum of emotions that define our experiences. By photographing Black women in their own spaces, I honor their stories, celebrate their presence, and offer narratives that recognize and uplift diverse voices within our community.