Instagram story viewer> @pejamane> Posts

peja

@pejamane

3.7K

followers

2389

following

no ends. chicago, global. star child. art director. music curator. dj too #pejashot thou.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Photographer: @pejamane
Model: @amariirynee

Shots from a lovely summer day in the prairie. The sweet spot of when all these plants are in peak bloom is hard to pin down. That ephemerality is worth spending more time noticing, and observing. Only about 1% of the original tallgrass prairies exist today due to agriculture and urban development, making them rather than rainforests. These past few years i’ve learned so much about caring for these plants and i’m happy to have a little space here in the city to revive that ecosystem on a small scale. by @pejamane

176

34

9 days ago

The fam say I never send nobody the photos 😭 shoutout to great granny 100! taken in Chicago, Illinois by @pejamane

3

37

2 months ago

Inama (ee-NAH-muh), noun
Inama is a state of being; to evoke confidence, beauty, and resilience through reclaimation.
Ex.: She is Inama.

Intuitive Crochet Top (2024)
Braided Drop-Waist Layered Hair Skirt (2025)

Creative Director/Designer/Stylist: Amani J
Photographer: Peja @pejamane
Model/MUA: Monique @antoinettemw_
Hairstylist: Bintou @gripgodd
Lash Artist: Taylor @tailordbeauty @tayyjanece

This intuitive crochet top and braided hair skirt are inspired by my personal experience navigating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome symptoms and the medical racism that delayed my diagnosis and treatment. PCOS is a hormonal condition that can cause excess androgen levels, irregular menstrual cycles, insulin resistance, severe acne, infertility, and weight gain. I have transformed my struggle with excessive male-pattern hair growth into a practice that turns pain into beauty through braided artwork.

The intuitive crochet method represents the natural progression from overcoming the challenges of obtaining a formal diagnosis to the transformative journey of liberation from self-hate through art. These braided motifs in both the top and skirt are used as a symbol of black beauty and are deeply rooted in cultural tradition, containing the power and resilience that comes from embracing my unique beauty and reclaiming my sense of self.

My broader goal is to use my art as a vehicle for racial and reproductive justice, generating awareness and funding that supports Black women struggling with PCOS and advances medical research. taken in Chicago by @pejamane

3

165

8 months ago

This weekend, I'm honored to showcase art alongside friends who inspired me to pursue photography 10 years ago. I'm grateful for the opportunities it has brought, from traveling the world to being featured in iconic publications. None of it would have been possible without Austyn and Nersa's early influence while we at Kenwood. I’m excited to celebrate with them

As I jump back into photography in my hometown, I look forward to recapturing that feeling that initially made me pursue it. It’s been a long time but I feel ready to shoot again. 🫶🏾

Please pull up this Friday 7-11pm at Cine City studios 🙂‍↕️ taken in Chicago, Illinois by @pejamane

3

22

a year ago

A good art week fr, shout out my nieces n nephew and @clipse. taken in Chicago, Illinois by @pejamane

3

41

a year ago

When you get high enough, you can dodge raindrops #pejashot #memories taken in Mount Tamalpais by @pejamane

3

2

2 years ago

Trying new things avec @pinkveins #pejashot taken in Chicago, Illinois by @pejamane

3

30

2 years ago

je suis de retour. taken in Chicago, Illinois by @pejamane

3

11

2 years ago

The coolest blues with @aaaly_k #pejashot taken in Chicago, Illinois by @pejamane

3

42

2 years ago

Castles & Cathedrals #pejashot
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^ ^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^ ^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
#discoverportrait #fashionphoto #fashionphotography #portrait_perfection #portraitpage #sanfranciscophotography #newyorkphotographer #bleachmyfilm #vogue #paper ##pejashot taken in Chatham by @pejamane

3

20

2 years ago

DTM 💎 x Love Calls #Lana #sza #rnb taken in Chicago, Illinois by @pejamane

192

35

2 years ago

Rare footage taken in Santa Barbara, California by @pejamane

3

22

2 years ago