Foundations & Futures
Photographers
Kendra Rice – Hearts
Website: kendradesign.pictime.com
Kendra Rice is a photographer and creative based in Tacoma, Washington. Coming from a family of artists, creativity has shaped how she sees the world and inspired her career path. Kendra has worked as a brand photographer for several local nonprofits and small businesses including GTCF and the Washington State Fair.
Kendra says what she loves most, is “seeing my work out in the world, whether that’s driving past a billboard or scrolling through a feed, and knowing the photo made someone feel celebrated. Being inclusive and making people feel truly seen is at the heart of everything I do; I want everyone I photograph, whatever their story, to walk away feeling like they matter.”
Reflecting on her experience with the Foundations & Future project Kendra was grateful for “the chance to sit with people, listen, and find the beauty already there in their everyday lives. From research centers to care vans to food kitchens, I got to learn about corners of our community I hadn’t had the privilege of stepping into before.
Mike Johnson – Spades
Instagram: @michaelweldonphoto
Mike Johnson is a photographer from Tacoma, Washington. Also known as @michaelweldonphoto on Instagram, he specializes in landscapes and cityscapes featuring Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest region. Mike has been shooting both film and digital photography for the past 15 years.
In addition to photography, Mike enjoys spending time with his family and helping coach his kids’ sports team.
Reflecting on his work with the Foundations & Futures card deck, Mike share, “This project has been a big change of pace for me. It really brought me out of my comfort zone as far as the subjects and locations that I typically shoot. That was probably my favorite part about the project, finding amazing moments in those situations where I felt a bit out of my element!”
Jack George – Diamonds
Website: jackama.com
I had an adventure working on this project with Greater Tacoma Community Foundation on the Foundation’s & Future project. Being selected as a photographer to showcase our beautiful Pierce County has been rewarding; in the sense of allowing myself a challenge, a challenge to step out of my comfort zone and evolve myself as a creative photographer.
Nature was my theme for this project, the all-encompassing awe that is our state of Washington. I was able to sightsee the wonders we have around us locally, while at the same time capturing that wonder with my camera.
Kenya Shakoor – Clubs
Kenya Shakoor is a photographer and multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. Her work is a love offering; it is a contribution to the female gaze, rooted in a politic of care. Tacoma City Council Member Jamika Scott describes Kenya’s work as photography that “captures the Black experience and existence in deep, yet soft and ethereal ways. Her work is savory and compelling and hard to ignore.”
Kenya has served on the Tacoma Arts Commission, including a term as Chair. She also wrote, directed, and acted in a one-act play titled Adjust Your Crown, an ode to a Maya Angelou quote. The play chronicles an unexpected moment of connection that turns into a deep, layered conversation about everything from the cost of living to generational trauma and joy, reparations, and the current presidency.
When she’s not behind the camera, you can find Kenya spinning all vinyl DJ sets around town and embodying Jazz as her life philosophy. She describes that as “embracing improvisation over rigidity, honoring duality, and continuing to center Blackness as divine intelligence.”