For this edition of Through My Lens, we spotlight Kamyiis McLean, a Jamaican-born photographer based in New York City whose work redefines the narrative of Black identity in fashion and portraiture. Guided by purpose and anchored in faith, Kamyiis captures beauty with depth, emotion, and intentionality. His images do more than showcase, they speak, heal, and remind us of who we are.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about who you are as a photographer?
“My name is Kamalio, but most people know me as Kamyiis. I was born and raised in Jamaica and now reside in NYC. I am a photographer whose work is rooted in the celebration of Black identity. Growing up, I didn’t see much representation, especially in the fashion industry. Black beauty wasn’t highlighted in the way it deserved, and our stories weren’t being told with the depth and care they carried.
That absence became my drive. Through my lens, I honor Black beauty, showcasing how rich, ethereal, powerful, and dominant it truly is. My work leans into the avant-garde and the poetic because I believe a photograph should be more than an image; it should be a story. Each frame I create carries emotion, depth, and meaning. A single photograph can speak volumes, and I want mine to echo with the truth, beauty, and brilliance of Black identity.”
Why is it important for you to create photography that holds meaning or impact?
“For me, photography is not about creating something pretty for the sake of aesthetics. It’s about weight, history, and resonance. A photo should be something you can cherish, something that lingers long after the moment has passed.
I’ve always believed that an image can shift perception. If someone is struggling to see their own beauty, a photograph has the power to reflect it back to them, to show them what they couldn’t see in themselves. That’s the impact I want my work to carry. My images are not just pictures; they’re stories that speak, heal, inspire, and remind us of who we are. That’s what makes photography meaningful.”
What themes, stories, or emotions do you try to capture through your photography?
“My work always returns to themes of identity, representation, and emotion. I want to capture the layers of Black beauty; the richness of melanin, the elegance, the resilience, the softness, the ethereal power.
I approach photography as if I’m writing poetry in light. Each image should feel timeless, like it carries a piece of history and a piece of the future. I want my work to be felt, not just seen. So I lean into emotion — pride, vulnerability, joy, glory because those are the truths that connect us. Through my lens, Black identity becomes not just visible but celebrated in its fullness.”
What’s something you want people to understand about you beyond the lens or beyond your photography?
“Beyond the lens, I’m a man of faith and a believer. I live my life chasing after what God has for me. At my core, I’m humble, kind, and passionate about helping others grow, especially when I see potential in them. I want people to know that I’m someone with a heart for people, someone who genuinely wants to see others rise and walk into their purpose.”
Can you share a moment or experience that shaped your journey as a photographer?
“I’ve had many experiences, but one that will stay with me forever happened recently. There was a young girl in my church, only 11 years old, who struggled deeply with her beauty. She would cry to her mom, saying she wasn’t pretty, and she was being bullied at school. But every time I saw her, I could see what she couldn’t: her skin, her features, her very presence — everything about her was beautiful.
So I created a shoot just for her. I wanted her to see herself the way the world should see her — radiant, enough, more than enough. It was my first time photographing a child, but I knew it was something I had to do.
I shared the shoot on TikTok, and it went viral. The outpouring of love was incredible. People from all over the world reached out to say those images and my words, especially when I said ‘beauty isn’t something you chase, it’s who you are’, helped them heal their own inner child. Grown women told me they could finally look in the mirror again.
That experience taught me that my photography could be more than visual. It could be healing, deliverance, restoration. It reminded me why I create — because through my lens, I can help people see themselves, love themselves, and know that their beauty is undeniable.”
Through his work, Kamyiis McLean transforms photography into a language of healing and identity. His vision captures not just faces but stories — each one grounded in faith, truth, and emotion. In a world where beauty is often defined by others, Kamyiis reminds us that it already lives within us.
