Akilah Townsend is a portrait and lifestyle photographer and director hailing from the Southside of Chicago. Informed by her fascination with cinema, pop culture in the early 2000's, and an upbringing centered on afro-cenrtism, Akilah taught herself photography and film. She turned her lens to her community as a muse, driven by an interest in identity and representation.  Her work features warm, saturated hues that compliment the poser of the portrait. Some of her clients include Airbnb, Nike, Peloton, The New York Times, and Square. She has directed commercials for numerous brands including Pepsi, Nike, and Milk Pep.