CATCH THE SHOT: The Legacy Of Hip Hop – Rowena Husbands

In mid-May 2024, I’d been invited by Jazmyn Summers & Renee Foster (JazRenee Productions), to attend a Private Rooftop Party to give Flowers; pay homage in honor to two Dope Legends in the Hip Hop Community. Rowena Husbands and Johnny Nunez. This event would not only be taking place in NYC, it was also happening on My Birthday. As a Special treat, I was able to bring a Guest, so as I traveled from Virginia Beach, Virginia, my daughter flew in from Florida to hang out with me.

June, 22nd 2024 couldn’t get here fast enough. When Essance and I arrived at the address sent to me, I gave the concierge our names and we were directed to the elevator that would take us to the Penthouse floor. When we stepped off the elevator we were greeted by Patrick Miller and his husband, David Coleman, who hosted and sponsored this event.

The view was everything to me. I’d never been in a Penthouse before. I mingled and introduced myself and my daughter and I was in awe to see so many famous people I’d only seen online, on TV or in magazines. When I’d seen Rowena Husbands, I introduced myself. She greeted me as if we’d known one another already. Warm and approachable vibes. I didn’t know much about her but I knew of her work. I mean, I have magazines with her photographs inside; DOPE Shots of my Favorite Legends in music, TV, & Film.

*Photo from @RowenaHusbands*

First off, let me just say, after the greeting, I immediately started complimenting her on her outfit which I later found out was designed/made by Arlinda McIntosh of @SOFISTAFUNKTHESKIRTCO > https://sofistafunk.com/  She was also in attendance.

I Knew Rowena Husbands was one of the honorees and I had my fingers crossed that I’d be able to sit and talk to her for a little bit. Eventually, I decided to Shoot My Shot, (Ya’ll see what I Did There, lol),,, and when she said she didn’t mind speaking with me I became super nervous and happy at the same time since we were able to talk right away.

I thanked her for her time and told her I wanted her to tell my readers what it was She wanted us to know about her. Honestly, at this point, 5 minutes in, she felt like a cousin. The one who you only get to see at Family Reunions, so I Relaxed and just started getting to know her more like we were “Catching Up”.

Rowena Husbands has been taking pictures for over 30 years. Ironically, like myself, she also worked for CANON, the camera company. She explained that after working for them, she was able to borrow a Film camera and flash to play around with and shoot pictures of her daughter who was a toddler at the time. Really just doing what all of us (new) moms do when we have the Cutest baby in THE WORLD!

Well, a friend of hers seen the captures she’d taken and told her, (Rowena), “You have a Great EYE!”… and the rest is History. Literally because she went on to become one of the greatest Photographers of All Time.

After being introduced to ThEE Mona Scott-Young, Rowena started doing Head Shots for her Artist who were transitioning into Acting. Next thing you know, her name was ringing in the ‘Industry’. Her pictures were ending up in (Black) magazines like, RIGHT ON! THE SOURCE, and more. From there she took off.

Rowena Husbands went from Shooting Head Shots, then she shot for the Music industry. From there she started shooting TV, then Film. She’s shot for BROADWAY, she’s done music videos and many various Events. Although she use to shoot Concerts, she no longer does and she made mention, she is Not a Paparazzi!

Rowena said early on in her career, for a short while, she did Red Carpets and Fashion related events but she stopped because it was too hectic. Mind You, when she started, it was the early 90’s. She was young and a Black Female and folks back then were vicious but she let it be known, to me and back then, SHE’S FROM HARLEM AND SHE DONT PLAY!!! She Demanded her RESPECT!

I Hung on her every word because I, Too, have always had a love for taking pictures. I sat there and counted how many things we had in common. She shoots with CANON. She’s what we call, a “Canon Girl”. Coming from the film days, you Had to be good. If you made a mistake or a picture didn’t come out the way you wanted it to, you wouldn’t know until the film was developed. That made it hit or miss. Young photographers today, in my opinion, have no idea how good you had to be. There were no retakes, no photoshop. The lighting had to be perfect. This is what makes Rowena’s work extra Dope to me. Today she prefers shooting Digital.

I admire her because she stepped into her purpose. We never know what the Universe has in store for us. When she worked for CANON she worked as an Account Executive. When she left, she never looked back. She is proof that its a blessing when we have friends and loved ones who believe in us or just have a gift of knowing when we have something going for ourselves. Especially when its things We may not realize in ourselves. Who knows what Rowena’s future would’ve been had her friend not recognized and shared her talent.

Its rare these days to still be friends with women who we started our paths out with. The ones who then become our Sistahs as we travel through this thing called life. To this day, her and Mona Scott-Young are still friends. They came up in the ‘Industry’ Together. Rowena is a True BOSS by Every Meaning of the Word. Follow her @RowenaHusbands and you will see that her Sistahs and True Day 1’s, Also carry the title. It’s even better when you are put in a position to become who you were meant to be.

Rowena Husbands is working so you can hire her. Also know, you can purchase her work as well. She owns the Rights to 100% of her work. She travels and can now pick and choose what work she wants to do. She no longer has to settle and chase a ‘Bag’ as they say. To me, the “Work” she gets to do is fun. Essence (Magazine) and Sundance Film Festivals, Corporate events, too.

She is Humble but Grateful and you can tell. The work she does, she enjoys to the fullest. It has to be Great being paid to do what you love and have a passion for. She said, she, “works Smarter”. Even by doing that, I found it amazing that she understands money is tight for some of us so she works with your budget. She covers (Almost) all genres when it comes to Photography. She doesn’t shoot club events and concerts, though. Rowena said she would leave that up to Johnny Nunez, who started the same time as her in the Photography business and they are still good friends.

Rowena Husbands’ Photography Company is, BLINK OF AN EYE GLOBAL MEDIA INC and you can also check her work out here -> BLINK OF AN EYE.

Hands Down, Rowena Husbands is one of my Favorite Legends, not only in Hip Hop but as a Photographer in general. Now that I’ve had the Pleasure and Opportunity to just sit and chop it up with her, she’s like a real ‘Friend’ in my head. She allowed me to enter her space. She made me feel like she enjoyed talking with me because I had a feeling like, if we weren’t at a party honoring her, she would’ve sat and spoke with me all evening.

Even if that wasn’t the case, that’s how she made me feel and it felt Amazing. However, Knowing what I know about those born and bred in Harlem, I know she would’ve kept it straight, no chaser and told me to beat it had she not liked me. I walked away feeling inspired because who knows where my writing may take me. I just need people to believe in me and Tell and Friend to Tell a Friend. We never know when our “Moment” will come. I was happy to be able to personally pay homage to her and remind her that pictures last forever and she has left her mark in this world.

I look forward to having her take my pictures one day, soon. I hope we can work together as well. Me even being able to type this interview out helps me relive the experience all over again. It truly was one of my best birthdays ever, thus far. And not to brag but she Follows me on IG now *insert Happy feet Dance*… (of course, I BEEN following her).

I was able to chill with Rowena Husbands one on one for about 11minutes and I took it all in. I learned so much. I was motivated and afterwards I knew I was stepping into my purpose. I deserved to be in that room. It was meant for me to hear her words. She has been added to someone I can look up to. She could’ve denied my interview and conversation but she welcomed it. I am forever Grateful.

Please check her out. If you have never heard of her, I can assure you, you have seen her work. GOOGLE Her! HIRE Her. FOLLOW Her! SHE IS A LEGEND IN HIP HOP PHOTOGRAPHY and Simply just someone I think you should know.

 

THANK YOU FOR READING AND AS ALWAYS 

SPREAD LOVE, ITS THE BKLYNTYE WAY!