Amour Creole got the chance to sit down with Francesca Andre, one of the few Black women doing spot news and photography. Unlike other photographers who may have had a more traditional path to their photography careers, Andre’s creative path began in an unconventional way.

“While on assignment I am frequently the only woman. If there are other women most of the time they are reporters not photographers,” Andre said. I may not “know all the technical aspects of photography but I know when something moves me and how to capture it.”

Her work has appeared in New York Post, the Daily News and Newsday.

As Andre’s body of work grew, she lent her photographer’s eye to the 2013 film Happy Hour. The movie tells the story of writer, producer and director Fretl Clagget, who suffered sexual abuse. The film is narrated by three-time Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore. This was only the tip of the iceberg regarding Andre’s extension into film work.

In 2012 Francesca co-founded women’s network: Fanm Kanson, meant to empower women from all walks of life. It began as a photo essay project paying homage to Haitian women street vendors and soon blossomed with the help of fellow artist Melissa Beauvery.

“Fanm Kanson Network truly inspires me, the people that we meet every day and interview,” Andre said. “I see it as a way to connect women to other women. …there is no excuse for us not to learn from each other and grow as women and people.”