Jonavennci Divad, Brooklyn

Though he now captures images of celebrities such as Adrienne Bailon, actress and model Meki Saldana, and pro football player Devin Thomas, Jonavennci Divad is a self-made man. He began his career in graphic and web design, teaching himself as he progressed into the field of beauty and fashion photography. His editorial work, which favors head-on close-ups, high-fashion poses, and plenty of eye contact with the gremlin inside the camera, has appeared in numerous media—including the pages of The Washington Post, Essence, and Krave Magazine. His family and personal portraits continue to line the fireplace mantels and oversized lockets of his studio's clientele.