Flordalis Espinal founded Girls Who Shoot as a New York City platform to educate, highlight and create space for women of color in the visual arts. For International Women’s Day, Girls Who Shoot held court in the Penthouse of The Standard, East Village, snapping complimentary portraits of women. Flordalis sat down with The Standard to talk about her photography, business tips and big mission for representation.
Your work beautifully reflects The Bronx, where you grew up. Do you have a favorite image you've shot of your neighborhood?
My favorite image that I’ve shot in my neighborhood is this one. (See below) It’s a photo of a kid from my neighborhood of West Farms drinking a coffee. It’s also my boyfriend’s album cover, and my first time shooting a cover. I love the lighting and colors of this photo. I also feel like this photo truly shows the essence of what it’s like being a kid in the BX, being immersed in culture every day. And real NYC kids know that when you grow up here…you drinking coffee by the age of 7.
What was the most rewarding relationship that came out of Girls Who Shoot since you started the community in 2020?
Since starting Girls Who Shoot, it’s been super rewarding to witness the relationships that the women in our community have built with each other. I’ve seen women meet each other for the first time at one of our photo walks and they’re still friends 'til this day. Things like that show me how much communities like Girls Who Shoot are needed. As a female photographer myself, it’s dope to have another women to bounce creative ideas off of and get inspired by.
I would like to see Girls Who Shoot evolving into a worldwide community. Photo walks and workshops hosted in the UK, Japan, etc. I would also love to just get my girls paid and recognized, providing as many opportunities for them as possible. Sky’s the limit.
How would you like to see Girls Who Shoot evolve over the next five years?
I would like to see Girls Who Shoot evolving into a worldwide community. Photo walks and workshops hosted in the UK, Japan, etc. I would also love to just get my girls paid and recognized, providing as many opportunities for them as possible. Sky’s the limit.
You've also dabbled as a model. How has being in front of the camera informed your work as a photographer? Do you have any pre-shoot rituals to create an inspiring vibe on set?
Being in front of the camera has helped me gain more confidence in back of the camera. Photography is really like a dance between you and your subject. You have to be able to make someone feel comfortable. And once you know how to make yourself comfortable, the easier it is to do it for someone else.
I have to listen to music before and during a shoot. Some neo-soul, old school hip hop and R&B. It helps me get in that flow state and it’s always a vibe for my subjects as well.
What business advice would you give aspiring female photographers?
My best business advice… as cliche as it sounds, would be to take care of yourself first. When you do that, everything else will align. You’ll have the capacity to do all the business things, from staying organized, to producing quality work, to booking dream clients. It all truly starts with you.
What is your dream location to host a Photo Walk?
My dream location to host a photo walk would be in the Dominican Republic. It’s where my parents are from. There’s not many resources out there for people interested in visual arts. So to host a photo walk there for young girls and provide cameras for them will be so beautiful.
