As an immigrant, Black woman and female artist, Petronella Lugemwa knows how important it is for people of all cultures to feel seen and to be seen. That’s why she creates stunning multicultural wedding photos that celebrate a couple’s unique traditions, customs and heritage. Because love is love. Because, as she says, “a smile is the same in any language.”
We’re so honored to include the incredible Petronella in our “UNLIMITED — Conversations with Changemakers” series, made possible through a partnership with Fujifilm. Thank you for documenting these important stories, Petronella!
Petronella Lugemwa is a storyteller, speaker, educator and Creative Director of Petronella Photography, a destination photography studio based out of the New York area that specializes in creating exclusive wedding and family photography experiences celebrating love, family and culture. She believes that what makes you different makes you beautiful.
See more of Petronella’s work on her website bypetronella.com, Instagram @petronellaphotography, and on YouTube.
Q: Can you share a bit about your start and your path as a photographer?
A: My journey as a photographer began as a young child, when I would “borrow” my dad’s Mamiya camera and shoot my classmates during gym class. Because I was very shy and an introvert, photography was my way of visually expressing what I was seeing and feeling.
“You can’t be what you can’t see. This is why I do what I do, to try to create a space so everyone can feel seen and celebrated just as they are, especially on one of the happiest days of their lives.”
Q: Your work is a beautiful celebration of culture, identity, and relationships. Why is creating multicultural wedding and family photography experiences important to you?
A: I was born in Uganda, grew up in Zimbabwe and immigrated with my mom and sister and two suitcases to join my father in Birmingham, Alabama, when I was 10 years old. It was quite a cultural transition.
When you’re an immigrant, most of your efforts go into hiding your differences and trying to assimilate at all costs, even more so for me, coming into my own as a blossoming teenager in Alabama where different cultures weren’t always celebrated or welcomed. I personally know how important it is to one’s sense of identity and self-worth to see someone just like yourself in a prominent lead role or on the cover of a magazine. You can’t be what you can’t see. This is why I do what I do, to try to create a space so everyone can feel seen and celebrated just as they are, especially on one of the happiest days of their lives.
Q: Can you tell us more about how you help multicultural couples celebrate their love in a modern way?
Q: Living in many locations and traveling extensively seems to have played a big role in your life. What have you gained from traveling and experiencing other cultures?
A: I took my first plane ride from Uganda to Kenya when I was a 6-month-old so my family could escape the political turmoil following dictator Idi Amin’s regime. Even though I was just a baby, I’d like to think the travel bug bit me then.
Travelling internationally and fully immersing yourself into the lifestyle of other people of different cultures is life changing. It expands, humbles and opens up your heart in ways that completely transform you and your perspective on life. I’ve traveled to countries like Myanmar and Laos, where I’ve had no idea what’s being said or couldn’t even read the letters and I’m always amazed how concepts like love, weddings, joy, celebration and family may look differently, but are still the same.
A few years ago in Cambodia, I was walking down the side of a dirt road when I was invited to attend a wedding — where no one spoke English — but I accepted the invite and it was one of my most memorable life experiences. I used all my senses to pay very close attention to what was going on and ended up respectfully participating in the wedding by gifting the couple with money. Their family was so nice and thankful. A smile is the same in any language.
Q: What other life experiences have influenced your photography the most?
A: I think most children of immigrant parents will agree with me when I say that there are four acceptable career choices: doctor, engineer, lawyer or accountant. I went the engineering route and got a chemical engineering degree and then eventually a business degree from Northwestern. So I bring those life experiences to how I shoot and run my business: the ability to problem solve in the moment, and to analyze and plan so that I can be free up my mind to be more creative.
Q: Telling the story of a couple’s special day and their unique customs or traditions must be such a fulfilling experience. What do you love most about it?
A: My favorite part of a couple’s day is seeing their family and friends celebrate the union in their own way, through laughter or cultural traditions or tears or dancing or simply just being there — understanding who matters to the couple, their journey to “I do” and how they show up to celebrate lights me up. Finding your person and having your closest friends and family there to celebrate your union is amazing and photos are tangible visual memories that last forever and tell that story, long after your memories fade.
Q: As a Black woman and leader in the photography industry, what do you do to ensure your voice as an artist remains authentic?
A: In those moments when I struggle to create work that is social-media-friendly or in vogue versus true to myself, I remember my couple’s stories, who they are, why they are getting married, who matters to them. That helps to ground me. When I create work from this space, it’s always a little scary but much more fulfilling and my work is much better. I try to remember the fact that I just need to impact one person. Someone out there needs to see and hear an image or story.
Q: You’re telling such powerful and important stories of multicultural families on your “We Are Multicultural” Instagram account. Can you tell us more?
A: I started the “We are Multicultural” account and podcast (which is on hold) because I saw a need for multicultural couples (after the wedding day) to not feel alone in their experiences. Being in a multicultural relationship can be challenging when you have two people trying to merge lives and cultures.
When I started WAM, there weren’t a lot of resources for multicultural couples navigating life after the wedding day and sharing stories of other similar couples seemed like a good starting point. Since then, we’ve watched past guests and families grow, build their own multicultural communities and most importantly connect with each other — it makes me so excited to know that the stories we’ve shared have helped connect people to each other, inspire them to write books, build communities and share their experiences. Connection and feeling like “it’s not just me” is so powerful in helping others navigate the multicultural experience.
Q: Any goals you’re working toward that you’d like to share with us?
A: One of my 2021-2022 goals is to launch an educational photography platform. I’ve waited so long because I wasn’t sure if the photography industry needed another me-too product.
It wasn’t until I read a recent Humans of New York story that I realized my voice and perspective matters, my path to photography is unique and I can contribute something to the world that’s uniquely shaped by my life experiences. 2021 has been a busy year of shooting and taking care of clients, but when things slow down, I’d like to continue working on this goal.
Petronella’s Fujifilm gear:
My hands-down go-to gear is the FUJIFILM GFX100S camera with the GF80mmF1.7 R WR lens. This combination allows me to be intentional about how I shoot, offers a fast autofocus experience and the image quality is unparalleled and crisp; the bokeh, colors, details in the shadows and highlights are yummy.
This combination performs really well in low light situations and allows me to accurately capture my clients’ rich spectrum of skin tones. I’m also anxiously awaiting the day when the FUJIFILM GFX50S II officially is available for purchase.
For receptions and fast paced action shots, I’m reaching for my FUJIFILM XT-4 and XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR lens, a great storytelling lens and fast enough to freeze key moments.
“A smile is the same in any language.”
Photos by Petronella Lugemwa
This post is made possible through a partnership with Fujifilm as part of our “UNLIMITED — Conversations with Changemakers” interview series. Unlimited honors powerful feminist photographers and spotlights the artistic voices of those seeking to change the narrative. We hope to help bring focus to storytellers with purpose who are sharing their diverse perspectives with the world. Through this beautiful tapestry of unique voices, we want to be part of a cohesive message of unity, equity and inclusion.
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