Brooklyn-based photographer Stanley Lumax, Jr was born in New Jersey to Ghanain parents. Photography had long been a childhood passion, but the idea of it as a career option only came after classes at his alma mater, Temple University. In 2007 Stanley visited Ghana where he shot his “Back to my Roots” series. “Ghana is my biggest inspiration,” he says. “I want my images to educate as well as open doors for others to claim their dreams.” He has also shot editorials for Bounce Magazine and worked on campaigns for Nike and Converse.

Stanley Lumax (center)

Where are you from? Plainfield, NJ, but my family is from Ghana, West Africa. My father is Ewe and my mom is Ga.
Where are you right now? I live in Brooklyn Baby
What do you do? I work full time as an account director at an ad agency, but photography is my passion
What do you love most about the city you live in? The diversity
How often do you visit Africa? Before ’07 I was on a 25 year hiatus, but I’ve been back the last two years.
What do you love most about the continent? I love the sense of being home. I love the sense of discovery around every corner. Its still fresh and exciting. I love being able to inspire the school children to think big.

Who are your African all-stars and why? My father, because he is the oldest of 19 childre. Because of his sacrifice, so many of his siblings have been able to come to the US and be educated and start their own families and successful careers.
My mother, because her beauty gave me confidence when I didn’t believe in myself; when I had issues with my identity, skin color, hair texture, “chinky” eyes, my mother’s beauty was my security blanket. I never questioned that I had a beautiful mother, and she was always the most classy, gracious woman in the room
What’s your favorite food from back home? Growing up, I loved Corn Beef Stew with rice and kele’ wele’. Now I would just substitute the beef for chicken stew.
What proverb do you live by? It takes a village to raise a child, because growing up I was surrounded by loving family that would treat me as though I was their own son.
What inspires you? Those who make something out of nothing while pursuing their dreams.

What’s your vice? Day dreaming.
What makes someone African? Thinking of how your actions could help others beyond yourself . How can I use this talent to benefit my people?

Check out more of Stanley’s work at Stoneface Photography.