Karen Kouame, Ivorian documentary photographer and visual artist

Karen Kouame is a photographer and visual artist of Ivorian origin based in Toulouse. Her artistic path has been shaped by the influence of her father, who passed on his passion for photography to her from an early age.

Karen's work is rooted in her origins, deeply exploring themes of heritage, cultural identity and resilience within African culture. Her aim is to inspire, reveal and honor the multi-dimensional beauty of Afro-diasporic identities through an authentic and engaged photographic gaze.

How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?

I took up photography again in 2023, after a long break during which I explored other fields such as accountancy, economic management and then digital strategy. This multi-faceted career has enriched my outlook and my artistic sensibility.

For me, returning to photography means reconnecting with an intimate language, a space for profound expression. Through my images, I seek to tell my story, honour my roots and reveal the richness, strength and beauty of Afro cultures.

How did you first get into photography?

Photography has held a special place in my life since childhood, thanks to the influence of my father, who was himself passionate about images. I still remember those moments of complicity when he taught me to look at the world through a lens, awakening in me a growing curiosity and a desire to capture the beauty of everyday life.

This founding bond, combined with my need to tell visual stories, has fuelled my passion for photography. Every image I make is a tribute to this legacy, to the family heritage that continues to shape my way of seeing things.

What type(s) of photography do you specialise in, and why did you choose this niche?

I specialise mainly in portrait, fashion, documentary, editorial and artistic photography, with a committed eye to promoting Afro and black cultures. These areas allow me to express the richness and plurality of our identities, by telling true stories rooted in my own experience and origins.

My style has evolved over time: initially nourished by family inspiration and an instinctive view of everyday life, it has gradually evolved towards a more constructed aesthetic, combining colours, textures and settings inspired by my African roots. Today, my approach is more profound, emotional and thoughtful. I seek to create images that touch, that arouse empathy, and that open up a space for dialogue and discovery.

Can you share the underlying themes or ideas that drive your photography?

The themes that run through my photography are identity, Afro culture, resilience and the celebration of diversity. Each image is conceived as an invitation to rediscover the intrinsic beauty of our origins. I use photography as an emotional bridge: a means of creating links, eliciting empathy, and opening up dialogues around subjects that are still too often invisibilised, such as mental health or cultural identity.

Through my work, I aim to provide a space where people can feel recognised and valued, where they can feel seen, heard and respected. This sincere relationship with the public also feeds my own artistic development, constantly enriching my vision and my practice.

What’s the one achievement or moment in your photography career that you're most proud of?

The proudest moment in my photographic career was my first exhibition. It was the first time I was able to show images representing my period of hiatus, marked by depression. This exhibition was very important for me, because it was the first time I really talked about this experience. It was like opening up a part of myself to the public.

Talking about this period was not only a personal highlight, but also a real starting point for my artistic work, which is now based on the sincere expression of my emotions and experiences.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a photographer, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge I've faced as a photographer has been dealing with my own depression, which forced me to take a career break. This personal ordeal was a time of great solitude and silent suffering, which I didn't dare share to protect those close to me. For me, the path to resilience lay in transforming this experience into a creative force. I decided to express this experience through a photographic series entitled "It's time to talk about it", which enabled me to put visual words to what I was feeling, and to open up a dialogue about mental health.

This process taught me the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in my artistic work. I realised that talking about our frailties could not only liberate us, but also inspire and create a bond with others. This experience has profoundly enriched my approach to photography, making it more engaging and connected to human emotions. So turning a personal challenge into a creative motor has been an essential step in my journey.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

If I could collaborate with anyone, it would be with iconic figures such as Malick Sidibé, whose unique take on African life has profoundly influenced contemporary photography, or the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, for his powerful creative energy and freedom from codes.

I'm also inspired by photographers such as Jorde, an Ivorian talent whose work delicately captures the essence of contemporary African culture, and James Barnor, a Ghanaian photographer renowned for his rich visual history.

Collaborating with these artists would be an exceptional opportunity to blend their worlds with my own practice, enriching my artistic eye and offering a new dimension to my work.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their photography journey, what would it be?

If I had to give one piece of advice to someone starting out in photography, it would be to always follow your passion and be authentic in your approach. Take the time to explore, to experiment, and above all, dare to tell your own stories through your images.

Photography is a powerful means of expression and connection, so let yourself be guided by your emotions and your sensibility, because that's what will make your work unique and alive. Finally, don't be afraid of mistakes: they're part of learning and will help you grow as an artist.