Perspectives: Womanhood and Mental Health in British Sport with Anastasia Orlando

This article contains image descriptions in the captions to help those with visual impairments.

ID: A woman with an afro looks down at the camera. The composition means we are looking up at her. She has blue feather like clothing below her neck with pink eye make up.

GB athlete Annie Tagoe speaks about mental health, the BLM movement and how lockdown has opened up a new modelling career,  in conversation with photographer Anastasia Orlando

What has been the biggest challenge for you in 2020/2021 and then what has been the highlight?

The biggest personal challenge has been being healthy and the fittest I’ve ever felt and not being able to compete. After having surgeries on both knees a few years ago and extensive rehab, I finally felt so good in 2020. I was fit again. I was healthy. I had energy. I was ready to run! And then almost all the competitions got cancelled. But out of all of this I’ve learnt how mentally strong I am. 

As for highlights, I’ve actually enjoyed lockdown! I got engaged! I don’t normally get to spend time with my family because I’m always travelling so this is the first year I’ve been here for a lot of their birthdays. Normally I’d be away training over Christmas, so it’s been nice to just be home with my family and really enjoy it.  

I’ve really enjoyed modelling, too. I’ve actually had time to meet new people and to engage with social media. We can't use our phones when we’re training so you are very present which is good, but I’ve enjoyed connecting on Instagram and seeing lot of creative’s work – everything that goes on outside of my world of training. My experience is different to my friends because I actually feel more connected in lockdown! I’ve had time to speak to friends, to just watch TV and enjoy Netflix. As crazy as it sounds I just couldn't do these things before!

ID: The same woman as before. She is laughing with her mouth open. Blue eye liner around her eyes and pink flowers at the bottom right of the image from her ear ring.

Have these tools been ongoing in helping you during the pandemic and what advice would you give anyone struggling with mental health during this time?

I’ve been lucky in finding the positives of lockdown. My mum is an NHS nurse so it helps put things in perspective. A lot of the doctors and nurses at her hospital are getting sick so the workload has really ramped up quite a lot for her. She inspires me because she is so positive. She doesn't really speak about the numbers and the things she is seeing at the hospital because she wants be in the present moment and enjoy relaxing with us when she’s home. Her hospital is really doing a good job at keeping things as safe as they can. They give all the staff a kit so we all get tested every week and then when she is at work there is very regular testing as well so she has peace of mind. 

It is so important that we pay attention to our mental health during this time. I know that I am mentally stronger because I went through the surgery in my early twenties and learnt a lot of tools with therapy but it’s still an ongoing process. I would say you always need to pay attention to your emotional wellbeing and we can help each other. If you feel low just reaching out to a friend helps and chances are, you’ll also be helping them. Staying feeling connected is so important. 

I would say for anyone struggling, journaling and bringing your attention to the great things and people that you have in your life are both really helpful tools. With so many hardships people are going through I have just really relished this newfound time with my family and speaking to friends on the phone. The gratitude I feel for this really helps keep my mind in a positive space and the frustration I feel at not being able to compete kind of diminishes. Take each day as it comes. I speak with my psychologist via zoom, speak to my coach on a regular basis and try to keep to my usual routine and do everything that I would normally do without covid restrictions, but from the safety of my home. Keeping a routine is my best advice . If you don’t have a therapist there are lots of options including free therapy through the NHS and other organisations so reach out!

ID: Same woman as in the previous photos. She is now wearing a swirling gold earrings and its in an blue lit glow.

Is racism something you have experienced in the world of sport?

Thankfully never! I think as a black person, and even as a black woman racism is sadly something you are going to come across in your life – but it’s not something that’s present in sport in my experience. I’m thankful that there is more awareness of the issue now – it’s just sad that it took what’s been happening in America for people to really see it. All of that going on in the media was tough for the black community. These things are not new. But let’s hope change is happening. 

How do you find being a woman in sport in 2021?

It’s definitely easier being a woman in sport now than back in the day. But we still need a lot of work to be done. The guys still get more promotion, they get more sponsors, higher pay, more exposure and fame than a lot of women do. In terms of getting into competitions and the appreciation and respect from fans is pretty much equal now. So I do think it is changing, slowly but surely.

Anastasia Orlando is a photographer and producer living and working in London.

Darwin Mentorship: Meet Rodrigo Oliveira

This article contains image descriptions in the captions to help those with visual impairments.

Image Courtesy of Rodrigo Oliveira ID: A young man side saddles a stool looking at us. His right knee is up to his face where his cheek is resting upon it. He is naked apart from a pair of brown pants.

Rodrigo Oliveira is a photographer we expect to see a lot more of. Coming to photography naturally through curiosity, Rodrigo's work embodies an open queerness that fills the frames of his personal work. . When we came across Rodrigo's work, its authenticity and seemingly effortless beauty stopped us in our tracks. Darwin Magazine is working with Rodrigo on our mentorship to help develop a new body of work around black queer lives in Brazil, we recently caught up with him to find out why photography, why queer stories.

Image Courtesy of Rodrigo Oliveira ID: A young man sits side on to us on the floor, wearing a white jock strap, white converse shoes and white socks. The floor is a yellow/ brown colour with a blue backdrop. Their arm is leaning across their leg.
Image Courtesy of Rodrigo Oliveira ID: A close up portrait of the man from the previous image. They are wearing orange ear rings with a painted red lip and brown eye liner. The background is blue. The subject is resting their chin against their knee.

Q: Your photography work really got my attention with its use of colour, composition and natural feel it seems to embody. How did you get into taking pictures?

I started out with the advance of mobile photography when I couldn’t afford to shoot on a professional camera. I made sure that the camera on my phone was the best I could use at the time and it really led to me making portraits and engaging with photography at a very natural and authentic level. I used to study tourism and later biology so I decided to buy a DSLR to start taking pictures like those I saw in National Geographic’s magazines. From there on I tried different things in photography and realised portraiture is what I do best.

Q: You live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. How does the city influence the photographs you take?

I think that I’m heavily influenced by the ‘Carioca’ culture, the people from Rio. It’s the vibrancy of many clear sky days, the abuse of colour on people’s clothes, the several complexions of skin I find here... I could go on and on... the experiences of someone living in Rio is unique, it shapes you. Colour is something that is really important to me in my work, beautiful warm tones with colours illuminating somebody, that to me is how rio has found its way into my work.

Image Courtesy of Rodrigo Oliveira ID: A man is holding his knees close to their chest, looking down the camera at us. They are wearing a white ear ring. Behind is a golden textured wall.
Image Courtesy of Rodrigo Oliveira ID: A back shot of a party goer. They are wearing silver and gold clothes which show a lot of their skin. Wearing glasses and a silver choker, they look towards the floor in front of them.

Q: Within your photography, queer lives occupy the frames and spaces you document. What made you focus on this community and people in particular?

It was the rise of Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency. As I’m sure your readers are away, his policies are anti-LGBTQIA+ and have deeply impacted those around me. I wanted to use my camera to tell real stories of real queer people, its an important time here for our rights as people to live in freedom and happiness, somebody needs to document and work with the community to ensure our voices are heard.

Image Courtesy of Rodrigo Oliveira ID: A young person standing with an afro, leaning into the camera with their head upright. Wearing a dress and earrings that match their necklace.

Q: How do you approach creating new portraits?

I like my portraits to feel real so in order to do that I look for real moments, I like to wait and spend time with the person before I take a photograph of them. To me, that's how you get them to show parts of themselves which are less guarded. A lot of my portraits that people see are from events and taken on the queer scene from lounge bars to techni parties. I really wanted to capture all the extravaganza that was happening around me. I love to work that way, feel the music and the beat, the vibe of the environment putting you into the moment with the people as you take a photograph. It makes me feel I’m part of the moment, not just a bystander recording events. 

Image Courtesy of Rodrigo Oliveira ID: A red image from the night club lights. The person has gold painted across their eye brows and are wearing gold chains. They are looking away from the camera with a large nose peircing hanging above their mouth.

Q: The colours and tones within your work are stunning. What influences do you draw upon when creating your work?

There are so many! I think that I’m inspired by my own culture first of all, I love how Brazilians communicate through colours. And as for other artists I feel influenced by the works of Min HyunWoo, Gleeson Paulino, Kristin-Lee Moolman, Lelanie Foster... I could take all day haha

Q: What do you hope to get from the mentorship?
The opportunity to learn from someone who knows the industry, learning the skills I need to make a living as a photographer. And most importantly, how to make it into the market without compromising my values as an artist and my goals to bring visibility and respect for my community.

Q: Is there a project you're currently working on you'd like to share with us?
Yes! Although I can’t say much before we get some things ready. My partner and I are working on a documentary with and for the black trans community in Rio de Janeiro. We’re still on the planning phase but working it through as we wait for the crisis we’re living to end.

See more of Rodrigo's work here - https://cariocanegroequeer.myportfolio.com/carioca-negro-queer

Follow him on IG @rodyoli

Darwin Mentorship: Meet Karabo Mooki

This article contains image descriptions in the captions to help those with visual impairments.

Courtesy of Karabo Mooki ID: A man in a white cap, and black shirt with 3 's''s across their t shirt. A silver chain hangs from their neck. Their mouth is open and eyes are squinting down at us. Behind is blue skies and clouds.

For those who don't know you Karabo, tell me a little bit about yourself and how you came to taking pictures?

I am Karabo Mooki, also known as “Mooki Mooks”. I’m a photographer, visual artist and content director.  

I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. My passion for photography blossomed from my insatiable desire to discover and experience life through the inclusive worlds that celebrate counter culture. My heightened curiosity of the world led me to wanting to document the unconventional paths I would wander and inadvertently led me to capturing unforgettable moments I shared with all walks of life that I interact with. A tool to enter people's personal spaces, to learn more about unfamiliar cultures, photography became my passport to discovery.

You travel a lot and try not to be pinned down to one place, how do you think that influences your approach and style?

 Travelling has and always will be something I hold dear to me, and it allows me to keep my third eye open, persistently looking for intrinsic moments that are unfolding in environments I would only dream of finding myself in.

Through travelling and photography I've developed a need to seek and want more out of my experiences wherever I roam. I learn more and more as the journey goes and I'm always redefining my style and my approach through the lessons I've undergone on different travel experiences. For the most part travelling has allowed me to become fearless in my interactions and the destinations I've visited and it has made me realise the fragility of time and it's fleeting moments. One can always tell you about their personal favourite images captured, but I find I never forget the moments I wasn't able to capture.

Courtesy of Karabo Mooki ID: men dance in the street with onlookers behind them.
Courtesy of Karabo Mooki ID: Three young men dressed in blue clothing sit on an antique sofa. Skateboards and bottles of beer are around their feet.

One of your projects which focuses on the black punk scene is full of energy and life. How did you come across this scene and what did you want to show people by making it?

I came across the Black punk scene through the small skateboarding scene in Johannesburg, as a skate enthusiast and documentarian I had always documented my friends and the unbelievable talent they harness.

When I came across this band that came out of Soweto, South Africa, I knew I had to document a golden era that resonated deeply with me, as young Black man, who is attracted to facets of life that society deems as taboo, such as punk and the energy behind it, I felt that these individuals were singing the language of owning your own identity against the prejudices and judgements of society.

The emphasis on not fitting into peoples pigeon-holed perspective is something I wanted to celebrate and document.

For the first time in a long time, I didn't feel alone, or like a token Black kid at the punk shows, here were people I knew carving their own way and caring less about what others thought of them.

Courtesy of Karabo Mooki ID: Two men are sitting on a wall. One is standing on it to the left and in the middle a man is stood behind.

Your portraiture is what caught our teams eye going over submissions, what are your influences behind taking them?

There are a few factors that awaken the desire to photograph people. I am drawn to people's personalities, those who hold captivating stories of their own, the unconventional nature brewing inside of the people I work with and the nostalgic energy that resonates with me. I believe there is an energy we all possess and more often than not I can see the beauty beyond the physical. For me taking a portrait photo is an opportunity and an attempt to capture a side of people that they themselves cannot see.

Courtesy of Karabo Mooki ID: A young man wearing a floral womans dress with a flower behind their ear looking directly at us. Behind is a tree silhouetting their head

What do you hope to learn from the mentorship?

I want to push myself to places I haven't had the opportunity to explore.

There is a level of intimacy and trust that comes across within your work. How do you go about your process when it comes to collaborating with the people you photograph?

Authenticity is the key, creating a conversation and learning about the philosophies and experiences of people I work with, spending time with people and doing my own research is imperative before photographing anything. Building relationships and carving time to be with people for a day helps me become closer to the people I am working with.

Courtesy of Karabo Mooki ID: A man in a black suit with gold teeth is throwing pink flower petals towards the camera.

What can we be expecting from you photographically in the future?

Post-pandemic, I am invested in working on more personal stories, photo-documentary work and continuing to share stories that I believe need to be recognized, I am only a vessel sharing pertinent stories for those who aren't known publicly, it is my duty as a photographer to use this tool to share and showcase the stories of those who are underrepresented in the most authentic manner.