By: Erik Pedersen, Senior Communications Manager
BALTIMORE – Khamaree Owens, a 2020 graduate who majored in art at Notre Dame of Maryland University, recently had her photography featured on Oprah Daily, a website founded by Oprah Winfrey which reaches an estimated 5.2 million unique viewers monthly.
Owens had three photos, including the cover image, highlighted for a story in which members of the LGBTQ+ community shared their thoughts on Pride Month. She was one of three members featured from Black Women Photographers, an advocacy and networking community of over 1,000 Black women and non-binary identifying individuals which was founded in 2020 by Polly Irungu.
“It still feels surreal, I don’t think it has really sunk in yet,” Owens said. “I met Polly while working on a project at the National Portrait Gallery on behalf of Def Pen Media, so when she reached out to me with this opportunity I responded right away. Everything moved very quickly.”
Owens was asked to submit 15-20 photos in advance of the piece; the three that were chosen were images of friends and colleagues who she had worked with for previous creative projects. The interview portion of the story gave Owens the opportunity to talk about her initial entrance into photography and discuss her thoughts on the meaning of Pride.
Since graduating from NDMU, Owens has worked on a variety of initiatives as a freelance cinematographer, editor and photographer. She has also taught courses on filmmaking and information technology. Owens had previously considered majoring in forensic psychology and IT before ultimately deciding on art after transferring to Notre Dame in the spring of 2016.
When she wasn’t playing on Alumnae Field, where she was a three-year starter for NDMU’s lacrosse team, Owens could typically be found around the art department in Fourier Hall during her three years on campus. She remains in touch with several current and former faculty members, including professor and department chair Geoff Delanoy and assistant professor Dr. Jennifer Wester.
“If it wasn’t for their guidance I don’t know where I would be today,” Owens said. “They taught me the power of networking, and the importance of putting myself out there. I’m so grateful for their encouragement.”
Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.
