Beyond the Frame: Genesis Falls on Film Photography, Authenticity and Representation

Podcast: Download (Duration: 42:29 — 19.4MB)

In the latest episode, I sat down with Genesis “Geno” Falls, a Chicago-based film photographer whose work cuts through the digital noise with striking black-and-white film portraiture that captures raw human moments.

We discuss her feelings about winning the 2023 Flickr x Black Women Photographers Grant, and why people should enter this years grant competition.

Catch them on Instagram at @geno_tatted.

A Technical Journey Rooted in Tradition

Genesis's approach to photography is refreshingly intentional in our spray-and-pray digital era. Her journey began at age seven, shooting with her grandfather's instant camera—a brief but formative experience that would eventually lead her to formal training in Cinematography at Flashpoint Chicago.

“What's fascinating about Genesis's workflow is her technical commitment to film,” I noted during our conversation. “She's not just choosing film for aesthetics—she's embracing the constraints and proximity requirements of vintage gear to foster genuine connections with subjects.”

Over the past 2-3 years, Genesis has specialized in black-and-white portraiture that demands physical closeness to subjects. This technical limitation becomes a feature, not a bug, in her process—creating an intimacy that digital zoom simply can't replicate.

The Award-Winning Moment

In 2023, Genesis received the $2,500 Flickr x Black Women Photographers grant for “Children at Play”—a photograph captured at Chicago's Millennium Park that freezes a moment of pure joy as children interact with water features, light streaming through the spray.

“What struck me about this image,” Genesis explained, “was capturing an unplanned moment that still required technical precision to execute properly.” The result speaks to her philosophy that authenticity and technical skill aren't mutually exclusive.

Her work has been featured at the Evanston Art Center and Chicago ArtSpace, building a portfolio that challenges viewers to look beyond surface impressions.

From Grant Recipient to Judge

The timing of our conversation couldn't be better, as Genesis now serves as a judge for the third BWP x Flickr Grant alongside myself, BWP founder Polly Irungu, Flickr's MacKenzie Joslin, and SmugMug's Alastair Jolly.

The grant offers:

• $5,000 cash toward photography practice
• Two-year Flickr Pro membership
• One-year SmugMug Pro membership

Sign up now! Applications close April 14, 2025, and must align with the theme “The Spaces We Occupy.”

Documenting Underrepresented Artists

Genesis's current project, “Through My Lens—An Artist's Story,” documents BIPOC artists across various disciplines, creating a visual archive of creators who often remain invisible in mainstream coverage.

This work embodies the Gordon Parks philosophy she lives by: “It is the heart, not the eye, that should determine the content of the photograph.”

The Technical Meets the Human

What makes Genesis's approach particularly compelling is how she balances technical proficiency with human connection. In an age where gear obsession often overshadows purpose, she demonstrates that meaningful photography requires both technical skill and emotional intelligence.

Our conversation explores this intersection—from film selection and development processes to the psychology of creating safe spaces for subjects to reveal themselves authentically.

Whether you're shooting digital or analog, her insights offer valuable perspective on creating work that resonates beyond technical perfection.