Creator Chats: Kei, Photographer
- Joshua U.
- Aug 4
- 5 min read
If you aren't yet aware, The Recess Bell as a company is a multitude of things. Chief among those things? TRB is a entity that takes great pride in platforming creatives of all types, of all ages, in all fields and from all regions.
Today, we present to you Louisiana-based artist Keionna Lawson.
KL-Focus.com, @lunaspecs_, @kl.focus on Instagram, KL Focus on Facebook.
Personally speaking, I've been a fan of Kei's work for years now. She's proudly & gracefully shared her poetry, photography, and other work with her following on social media.
One of the most beautiful things about being a creative is how your work can carry you to places you may not have found yourself otherwise -- meant in both the metaphorical and geographical sense.
Month before last, Kei made the trip up from Lake Charles to TRB's stomping grounds here in New York City. She received the great honor of having her photos featured at a Juneteenth exhibition in Brooklyn recently, a moment that she'll remember forever.
Naturally, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to catch up with her for an interview to give her the opportunity to open up about her experience. Let's go ahead & meet Kei!
Q: Consider it my pleasure to introduce you to The Recess Bell family. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself before we get started?
Kei: My name is Keionna Lawson, and I'm a 27-year-old Multidisciplinary Artist from Lake Charles, Louisiana. My main medium is photography, which I've practiced for seven years, with Poetry as a counterpart for the past eight. I also perform at open mics in-person and via online spaces.
My work merges the energies of celebration and evolution, honoring each step of one's journey with intention. Since the age of 10, creative curiosity and lived experience have been the backbone of my self-expression.
Whether through photo editing, poetry or extracurricular activity, I began creating as a means to express what my inner child couldn't. Over time, I've recognized that my work also gives voice to others who have struggled to express themselves. The healing goes both ways.
In my personal time, I enjoy working out, birdwatching, juicing, reading, writing poetry and journaling. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share more of my journey with The Recess Bell family!
Q: I like to start off every one of our interviews with this question: Think back to the adolescent version of yourself. If this younger version of you met the present-day you, what words would be exchanged? What would the prevailing emotions be?
Kei: I always say that the adolescent version of me would think I'm everything she wanted to be, and more. It's as if she was ahead of the curve when it came to my future.
She would be in awe and insanely proud of me and all I've accomplished, especially considering that this journey is full circle. Her creative eye and full-bodied faith landed me in this role today. This journey continues to be a dedication to her.
Q: If you had to sum up & define your work and your portfolio in one word, what would that word be?
Kei: Mosaic. I've worked with different styles of photography, as well as different mediums altogether. Each piece is unique in their own respective ways, and they create an even more meaningful message collectively. "Nothing is wasted. Everything is inspiration." -- Twyla Tharp
Q: What is it about photography that makes it such a meaningful, worthwhile and satisfying field of work for you?
Kei: Photography is so gratifying because of my ability to translate the underlying presence of a person or place. Most of my clients aren't comfortable in front of the camera, which reflects a past version of myself. I remember how it felt to shrink in front of the camera. Which is why curating a space where others can exist as they are is my top priority.
Recognizing their guard drop, the joy jump out, or even the energy of a place become clearer, is an irreplaceable feeling. I've had people tell me, "that doesn't even look like me" and "you made me look beautiful."
Pouring back into people in affirming ways means everything to me. The same applies to my nature photography. Communicating for the environment became natural through my personal interests. Birdwatching, running outdoors and an overall lifestyle change revealed the layers in speech that weren't as apparent before.
Q: I hate to make you pick favorites, but is there a favorite photo or series of photos that you've taken to this point?
Kei: Spring 2024 included some of my strongest photographs, by far. It was this group of women I knew personally; their photoshoots were for different reasons. Simultaneously, they all were related in style of works. Those few months were such an experimental phase that bled into my process moving forward.
My muses gave me full creative control. I think this series of photoshoots highlighted black women in ways that only amplified their beauty inside and out.
The setups were minimal, but it was more than enough. Shades of pink, purple, blue, even the greenery mixed in with our skin tones was perfect. This also inspired me to shoot more intentionally curated series moving forward.
Q: Walk me through your NYC trip on Juneteenth weekend this year -- I take it that it was an amazing experience for you; what made the trip and the experience so memorable?
Kei: So, I traveled through New York from the Bronx, to NYC, to Brooklyn during the short trip with my mother. Although New York was a huge change of scenery, the food and excitement of presenting fueled me.
This was a trip of many firsts, including my first gallery, first trip to the East Coast and first time spending Juneteenth outside of the Southern region.
The MONAD Gallery itself was presented in Bed-Stuy with an exceptional turnout. Over 3,000 guests celebrated Juneteenth here, in addition to the featured artists.
One of my two concepts were unfortunately destroyed, but the remaining photograph titled Out Tha Mud had heartfelt feedback. This piece was deeply personal, as my brother Kevin represented black farmers and highlighted the innate gift of connecting with our land as ancestral veneration.
"Out Tha Mud."
The remaining concept, Fine Tunin featured Louisiana saxophonist Darian Lafleur, as an ode to the Blues genre and how our collective continues to heal and understand through music. Both concepts can be found on my Photography page (@KL.Focus on Instagram).
"Fine Tunin."
Grateful is an understatement. Juneteenth already held a special place in my heart, especially being Southern. To celebrate it in such a bold way will forever be imprinted in my heart. This is some of my most meaningful work yet.
Q: Amazing. So, what's next for you? Moving forward, is there a specific challenge that you have in mind that you'd like to tackle and conquer?
Kei: I’ve planted many seeds in my home state and they’ve created a garden. With that being said, my aim is to continue expanding globally. Volunteering is always high on my list, as well as collaboration with purpose.
My first gallery also inspired me to keep my work tinged with elements of my Louisiana upbringing. Making more from less, natural landscapes, and a melting pot of different cultures/groups. I think this next chapter will require more immersion from me, which is quite the challenge but really exciting.
Q: Lastly: what does being a creative mean to you? What feelings do you hope your work inspires in others?
Kei: Being a creative means being your most authentic self and allowing that compass to lead in every area of your life. That's what I hope my work continues to inspire in others.
I’m a huge advocate of moving in integrity and honoring one's unique qualities. These qualities only add to our story in ways that words might not cover. Stepping further into that pocket reveals your best self. It's not something you go out and find, it's what you discover within.
