Today we’d like to introduce you to Qionna Irby.
Hi Qionna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
You may not know my name, but I can almost guarantee you’ve seen a photograph I’ve taken, a story I’ve shared, or an organization I’ve helped highlight! And honestly, that’s a pretty big part of my story!
I’ve been volunteering since I was a teenager, but photography gave me another way to give back. My love for it started in high school with a teacher, Mr. Barber, who saw something in me and encouraged me to explore it. That encouragement eventually connected me with my first photography mentor, Jacqie Q, and opened doors I never imagined. Looking back, I don’t think either of them could have known just how much those opportunities would mean to me. Sometimes all it takes is one person seeing something in you that you haven’t quite learned to see in yourself yet.
And I’ve carried that with me ever since.
In 2022, I started asking myself, “What more could I be doing?”
I loved photography, I loved volunteering, and I knew there were incredible organizations doing meaningful work that more people needed to know about. So I started reaching out, offering my time and talents, capturing moments, sharing missions, and helping connect people with causes and resources they might not have discovered otherwise. And I just kept showing up!
One connection led to another, and today I’ve volunteered with more than 30 organizations. But what has always meant the most to me isn’t the number. It’s knowing that something as simple as a photograph can make someone stop scrolling long enough to learn about a cause, recognize a need, discover a resource, or decide they want to get involved. You never really know how far something you share might reach or whose life it could touch.
THAT is the ripple effect I love!
Along the way, I became a business owner, mentor, advocate, and someone who wears more hats than I can probably count! My own experiences with learning differences, mental health, and advocating for my children have taught me just how important it is to have someone who listens, understands, and is willing to look beyond what’s immediately in front of them. I’ve experienced what it feels like to be misunderstood, but I’ve also experienced what happens when someone takes the time to see your potential. And I want more people to experience that second part.
Today, through Photography by Qionna Irby and my community initiative, Through the Quiet Lens, I’m taking what I’ve learned and passing it on.
Through the Quiet Lens is about so much more than learning how to use a camera. It’s about giving people the opportunity to explore something they may have never imagined themselves doing.
I currently mentor children, young adults, and adults with disabilities, providing hands-on opportunities to learn photography, ask questions, shadow real events, explore the creative industry, and discover the different directions their interests and talents could take them.
I don’t want someone to simply watch me do something and think, “That’s really cool.” I want them to have the chance to try it themselves and think, “Wait, I can do this too!” And maybe photography becomes a career. Maybe it becomes a hobby, a creative outlet, a way to communicate, or simply something that brings them joy. Every one of those outcomes matters to me.
One of the things I’m most excited about is the local creatives who have started connecting with me and expressing interest in sharing their own knowledge and experiences with my mentees. The partnership I’m creating because people and organizations value the mission! I truly don’t believe we have to compete with one another when there’s so much we can learn from each other!
Every photographer sees things differently. Every creative has their own strengths, experiences, and way of telling a story. Imagine what we could accomplish if we spent more time sharing that knowledge, encouraging one another, and creating opportunities together.
That’s what I want these creatives to experience, regardless of their age, abilities, circumstances, or the hand life has dealt them. I want them to see that there isn’t just one way to learn, one way to create, or one definition of success.
And I want the world to see what happens when we stop focusing so much on what makes people different and start recognizing what those different perspectives bring to the table.
Because you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room to have something meaningful to say. Sometimes a photograph can speak for you.
Today, I still work full-time, raise my girls, volunteer, mentor, run my business, continuing growing this community incentive and continue learning along the way. I certainly don’t have everything figured out, and I don’t think I ever will! But I know what matters to me.
I want to keep planting seeds.
I want organizations to recognize the value of storytelling. I want creatives to recognize the value of their talents and the importance of supporting one another. And I want people, especially those who haven’t always felt seen or included, to recognize the value in themselves. Because I know firsthand what a difference one person, one opportunity, or one little bit of encouragement can make.
Someone once took the time to see something in me, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without that. Now I get to be that person for someone else. And hopefully, one day, they’ll be that person for someone else too.
That’s how the ripple effect continues.
For me, it’s never really been about having my name attached to everything. It’s about the people, the connections, the stories, and the opportunities that come from simply showing up. If something I’ve photographed, shared, taught, or helped create inspires even one person to get involved, try something new, or believe in themselves a little more, then I know I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! Some of my biggest challenges have been time, funding, equipment, work-life balance, and honestly, just finding the support to keep it going sometimes.
Between being a mom, working full-time, running a business, volunteering, and mentoring others, it can be A LOT! And I don’t think people always realize how much time, energy, and heart goes into photography beyond just taking the pictures. I remember when my camera suffered liquid damage, and I couldn’t shoot for almost six months. That was heartbreaking for me! I felt like I was letting people down, especially the organizations and people who trusted me to capture moments that mattered. It was hard feeling like I couldn’t show up for something I cared so deeply about.
Funding and equipment have been another struggle. Sometimes I can see exactly what I want to create in my head, but I simply don’t have the resources to bring it to life. And that’s frustrating! Especially when you know you have so much more to give.
The creative industry is competitive especially when someone doesn’t fully understand what you’re doing, and sometimes it’s discouraging. Especially when you’ve poured your heart into highlighting a mission you’re passionate about, only to see your work used without credit. It’s not about needing applause, but knowing how much of yourself you put into something and wishing that effort was understood. And I think one thing I really want people to understand is that just because I volunteer my photography doesn’t mean my work doesn’t have value! I’m not doing it because photography should be free. I’m doing it because I want organizations to SEE why it’s worth investing in. I’m hoping to plant those seeds so that when they’re planning their marketing budgets, they’re thinking about photographers, videographers, and other creatives too!
I’ve learned that passion can only carry you so far without support, resources, and encouragement. There have definitely been moments of frustration, disappointment, and questioning whether I’m doing enough. Then I see the smiles, hear the stories, watch someone gain confidence, or see an organization use my photos to share something meaningful, and I’m reminded why I keep showing up.
I’m still learning, still growing, and still trying to figure out how to make it all work. But I believe in what I’m building, even on the days when it’s hard.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer, creative storyteller, business owner, mentor, and community advocate based in Frederick, Maryland! Through Photography by Qionna Irby and my community initiative, Through the Quiet Lens, I use photography as more than a way to capture moments. For me, it’s about telling stories, creating awareness, building connections, and helping people feel seen.
My work focuses heavily on nonprofits, community events, and the people and organizations making a difference behind the scenes. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside more than 30 organizations, helping highlight their missions and the impact they’re making in our community. One of the things I’m most proud of is bringing awareness to the photography, marketing, and creative resources that organizations need to help their missions grow. I want organizations to recognize the value of investing in creatives and understand how much storytelling, photography, and visibility can contribute to their long-term impact.
But what makes me even prouder are the connections I’ve made along the way. Seeing other local creatives recognize what I’m building and want to be part of it means so much to me. I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where I can help create opportunities for others, whether that’s inviting someone to shadow me, mentoring youth, youth and adults with disabilities, or connecting an individual or organization with another local creative whose skills and talents may be a better fit than what I can personally offer. I know I can’t do everything, and I don’t want to! There are so many talented people in our community, and I love being able to help others discover them and create opportunities for us all to grow. I love helping people explore photography, build confidence, and discover their own creative voices. I truly believe creativity should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or experience.
What sets me apart is the heart behind my work. I don’t just show up with a camera. I take the time to understand the people, the mission, and the story I’m helping tell. Sometimes the most meaningful moments are the quiet ones that others might overlook.
I’m proud of the photographs I’ve taken, but even more proud of the relationships I’ve built, the stories I’ve helped share, and the opportunities I’m creating for others. More than anything, I’m proud of the seeds I’m planting in our community. Seeds that I hope will continue opening doors for other creatives, encouraging organizations to think differently about their resources, and creating more opportunities for us to connect, collaborate, and support what each other is building. I don’t want this journey to be just about my own success. I want to help bridge the gaps in our community and create something that others can grow from, too. Because to me, the greatest impact isn’t just what I can accomplish with my camera, but what we can accomplish when we start creating opportunities for one another.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is my daughters, my family, and knowing that something I do today might make a difference, open a path, or simply help someone find the strength to face another tomorrow.
I know what it feels like to be misunderstood, overlooked, or not know where to turn. Through my own experiences, I’ve learned how much one person who truly sees you and believes in you can change everything. I want my daughters and others to know their differences don’t limit what they’re capable of and that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. I believe in building connections, sharing resources, and planting seeds, even if I never get to see them grow. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference. It doesn’t have to have my name on it. I just want to know that somewhere along the way, I helped someone feel seen, find their way, or open a door that might have otherwise stayed closed.
To me, success isn’t just what I accomplish, but what I help make possible for someone else.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qi_visions?cplk=MTkyOThvY3UybDFvZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1cjEsZQS5T/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://s.blinq.me/RsRuZpnyeiL46FoaxcYI?bs=icl
