Lessons from Gordon Parks: What His Photography Teaches Us About Art and Life
Gordon Parks wasn’t just a photographer. He was a storyteller, an artist, and a truth seeker. He used his camera as a weapon (hence the title of one of his many books “A Choice of Weapons”) against injustice, a tool for empathy, and a bridge between worlds. His images are raw, poetic, and still resonate today, not just because of their beauty but because of their truth.
Going down the rabbit hole of Parks work years ago was more than just an education in photography for me. As of recent, studying him as I reconnect with this past world I had left behind was a reminder of why I fell in love with photography in the first place. His vision, and his pursuit of storytelling continue to inspire not only me but countless other photographers who aim to capture life with emotion and purpose.
When I look at his legacy, I see James Van Der Zee’s elegant portraits of Harlem, the shadow play of Roy DeCarava, and the absolute truth in the work of Carrie Mae Weems. These artists are proof that photography is more than a technical skill, it’s a language of resistance, love, passion and storytelling.
Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned from Gordon Parks. Lessons that extend far beyond photography.
1. Environment is everything: The Story is in the Space
Parks understood something that every great photographer eventually learns, a portrait is never just about the person, it’s about the world they exist in. His images didn’t just capture faces, they captured lives. The cracked walls, the cluttered desks, the way the light spilled into a room, it all mattered.
His work reminds me to slow down, pay attention and take in the full picture. The environment isn’t just a background, it’s an extension of the subject. It is part of the story. In life and in photography, it’s worth asking What surrounds this moment? What context am I missing? Am I being open minded and willing to look at it from all angles? In this digital age where everything is about speed and convenience, the most powerful details are the ones you almost overlook.
2. Obfuscation: The Power of Mystery
Parks had an incredible way of showing just enough, never too much, never too little. His photographs often leave you with questions, inviting you to lean in and wonder. He knew that sometimes, the things left unsaid are the most powerful.
In a world that demands constant clarity and over explanation, Parks work reminds me that mystery is not a flaw or an admission of wrong doing, it’s a strength. Not every image needs to be perfect or fully explained. Sometimes the unanswered questions are what keep people coming back. I can personally relate to this. I have been accused of being mysterious not only in my work but in my life. The thing is, I’m just a naturally shy person. Eventually once you stay for a while you’ll see the many layers of my work and in myself.
3. Artistry: Do What Fulfills You
Gordon Parks wasn’t just a photographer, he was a writer, a filmmaker, a composer. He never let anyone put him in a box, and because of that, his work was deeply personal and universally meaningful.
This is something I hold onto as I navigate my own creative journey. It’s easy to feel pressured to pick one path, one lane, one specialty. But Parks showed us that creativity isn’t meant to be limited. Whether through photography, writing, or any other medium, the real goal is to tell stories that matter.
His legacy also reminds me of artists like Jamel Shabazz, who documented the heart of hip-hop culture, or Dana Scruggs, who challenges traditional beauty standards with her portraits. These photographers, like Parks, remind us that we don’t have to follow rules. We make the rules. We just have to follow what moves us.
4. The Hustle: Stories Are Everywhere
One of the most inspiring things about Gordon Parks is that he didn’t wait for opportunities, he created them. He told stories no one else was telling. He photographed everyday people with the same passion as he did celebrities.
This is a lesson that I had to remind myself of and now I carry with me every time I pick up my cameras, being digital or film. You don’t need a perfect setting or a famous subject to create something powerful. There are important stories everywhere on the street, in your family, at your job, in quiet moments, in places most people overlook.
This is the same energy I see in the work of photographers like Andre D. Wagner, who've I recently learned about. He captures the poetry of everyday life in New York. Kennedi Carter, another whose portraits of Black excellence exude grace and power. They, like Parks, remind me that the best stories aren’t always the loudest ones, they’re often found in the quiet, in the real, in the in-between.
Final Thoughts
On this jorney back in to this world of creating, I look back and I am reminded that I had forgotten what fed my soul. The purpose wasn’t there. That was the reason why I was burnt out, the reason why I lost the passion. I needed to slow down and get back to feeling and connecting with the purpose of the projects.
Gordon Parks work is a masterclass in storytelling, emotion, and humanity. He showed us that photography isn’t just about what we see, it’s about what we feel. And beyond that, he showed me that this craft isn’t just about making beautiful images, it’s about using those images to say something real.
His legacy, along with the work of so many Black photographers before and after him, reminds me why I do this. It pushes me to be intentional, to be bold, to write these blogs, to film the stories in my head and to tell stories that matter.
So, whether you’re a photographer, an artist, or just someone looking for inspiration, take a lesson from Parks, Be curious. Be open. Let your work reflect the world as you see it, in all its flaws and beauty. And also never be afraid to feel!
Thanks for taking the time to read!
