Meet Emerald Arguelles | Photographer & Editor-In-Chief of Aint-Bad Magazine

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emerald Arguelles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emerald, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my business was, “how do I control my future?” I wanted to control my vision, goals, and creative processes without conforming. There is a sense of independence that I always strive for, and starting my own business was something that I saw as a necessity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a photographer that prides herself on portraying the Black experience in a beautiful and prideful light. Tyler Mitchell stated, “Black Beauty Is an Act of Justice,” that quote has always stuck in my head. I want to explore how the complexities of Blackness is a protest in itself. I am most proud of my recent article in The Washington Post; it was a series that was shot over the course of ten weeks. To see those images that I put so much of myself and my experience in highly regarded publication was a huge accomplishment of mine. I believe that I got to where I am professionally was having a moral compass; I think I am responsible as a Black woman who uses photography to represent her community and experiences. I have a duty to my people, and I don’t take that lightly. That method of thinking has helped navigate me through my experiences. I don’t believe that it was difficult to do; I view it as an honor. The greatest lesson I have learned along the way is never to compromise yourself or your vision. Be clear with your intentions. What I would want the world to know about myself and my story is that anything is possible; there are many things that I have manifested that I didn’t think were possible as a Black woman. However, we are so powerful, and we can do anything.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Little Five Points is always a go-to, with great food and art.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Jewel IV, while being an amazing filmmaker and collaborator, his efforts that give opportunities to Black men and women has been a beautiful sight to see along with creating space for Black folx to see themselves in a beautiful way.

Website: www.emeraldarguelles.com

Instagram: @emeraldarguelles

Linkedin: Emerald Arguelles

Image Credits
Headshot Image Credit: Naequa Petermon