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London-based photographer and multidisciplinary artist Ejatu Shaw is receiving international recognition for her striking portraits of some of the world’s most celebrated personalities, including Usain Bolt, Angela Bassett, Cynthia Erivo, and Craig David.
The British-Sierra Leonean creative was recently featured on African Voices, the Globacom-sponsored magazine programme on CNN International, highlighting her growing influence in the global art and fashion space.
Born in 1996, Shaw discovered her passion for photography in 2013 during a family trip to her native Sierra Leone. She later pursued her academic training and earned a Master’s degree in Photography Arts from the University of Westminster in 2020.
Her work explores themes of identity, drawing inspiration from her Islamic faith and African heritage. Shaw has cited renowned African studio photographers of the 1960s and 1970s as major influences, including Malick Sidibé of Mali, Sory Sanlé of Burkina Faso, and Omar Yahia Barram of Sudan.
Through self-portraiture and heritage-driven projects, she transforms personal memories into powerful visual storytelling.
In 2025, Shaw was recognised by the British Fashion Council as a New Wave Creative, further cementing her status as one of the rising talents in contemporary photography.
Her recent portfolio includes several high-profile assignments. She photographed Olympic legend Usain Bolt for a Puma campaign, acclaimed actress Angela Bassett for EBONY magazine, and award-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo for The Guardian, The Sunday Times, and Vogue. Shaw also photographed and designed the album cover for British singer Craig David.
Blending art, fashion, and cultural memory, Shaw continues to use photography as a medium to explore identity and heritage while gaining recognition on the international stage.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BFaSew6Ya/?mibextid=wwXIfr
