©Jaypix Belmer, 1st Self Portrait Pinhole Camera West Virginia State University Dorm Room, 2007 18×12 contact for price

In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, the Photographic Resource Center (PRC) launched a six- month mentorship program pairing four early-career photographers with four established artists for sustained one-on-one mentorship, critical feedback, and professional development.

The 2026 Mentorship Fellows are alina balseiro, Jaypix Belmer, Libby O’Neill, and Nick Ortoleva, who were paired with mentors Jess T. Dugan, Rashod Taylor, Jillian Guyette, and Tommy Kha. Throughout the program, each fellow met regularly with their mentor to develop their work, strengthen their artistic voice, and receive guidance on their professional practice. The program culminates in an exhibition at the PRC gallery, on view September 11–October 18, 2026, featuring work developed by the fellows during their mentorships..

The program will also be celebrated at PRC’s 50th Anniversary Gala on October 17, where all four mentors and four fellows will be present as honored guests. Created as part of PRC’s 50th Anniversary, the program celebrates the importance of mentorship in photography while fostering meaningful relationships between emerging and established artists and supporting the next generation of photographers.

Today we share feature the work of Mentorship Fellow Jaypix Belmer and a conversation with Mentor Rashod Taylor.

© Jaypix Aziza Goodnight-Robinson, 2026, 18×12 contact for price

Turning Points

“You Are Black, You are a lesbian, and you’re a Tomboy. People will judge you, you have a lot of things against you in this world. Who will you be? – Nam

As I reflect on the patterns I’ve been executing, I am able to be intuitive to the past experiences photography has given me in reward over being perfect. Choosing creativity and movement over planning, and identity over everything. You don’t have to change who you are, you just have to be who you are. Being creative through despair; photography was something I had to do. My passion and interest for transparency and the camera led to a series of portraits which has allowed me to work in honor and reverence for human beings. I have this sense of self sovereignty and respect for others beliefs. Photography and I began to provide a monumental moment for individuals at stages of their practice that provided a conviction and path toward their own vision lending a turning point to my own. My camera takes me to a sacred place where soul and relations build the culture we once came from.

The year 2006 was my first year in college. I started with an honest assessment of myself. I began to look at myself as valuable, worthy, something to hold on to, like my last polaroid shot. If I hadn’t begun to look at myself I wouldn’t have been able to proceed and develop. When photographing others our energy dialogue or silence can result in creative image making and overtime I am guided, I am advised by the moment in its authenticity. First you have to see the greatness in you, Then suddenly you are released to visions of inspirations, desires and curiosities.

Here I affirm and honor my past through a victorious struggle of liberation and remembrance. I have a deep love for the photograph and the spirit that it holds. I am the ultimate creation that serves for the good of people. We all have a turning point that makes us who we are. Don’t turn on you. Turn into you.

©Jaypix Belmer, Hi Reverend, 2014, 24×16

Rashod Taylor shares:

From the first time Jaypix Belmer and I talked about photography, I could feel how much she pours into it. Based in Boston, Jaypix makes portraits that hold people with tenderness and reverence. She calls her practice H.I.P H.O.P "How I Photograph, Helps Other People" and that belief lives in everything she makes, from her gilded, gold-drenched self-portraits to the quiet, loving portraits of elders and family. As a Black, queer artist, she photographs straight from the truth of her lived experience, and she puts identity over everything. Her images honor the people who sit before her camera, and you can feel that she sees the work as sacred, a way of saying to each person, you matter, and I see you. That’s the heart I recognized in Jaypix right away, and it made our time together such a gift. She cares so deeply about people and about the craft, and over the course of our mentorship, I watched her grow bolder in claiming her voice. Her work has become more conceptual without ever losing its warmth, and the edits she brought to our sessions revealed an artist getting clearer about exactly what they want to say. Watching the hustle and the push to make the work has been a real honor. Jaypix understands that a portrait can hold a spirit and carries that responsibility with a devotion and love that come through in the images.

©Jaypix Belmer, No Judgement, 2014, 24×16,

Rashod Taylor: Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your photographic practice?

Jaypix Belmer: My Name is Jaypix Belme and i am a  non binary African American, who works in photography & design capturing and amplifying the people, places and things surrounding me. I was born and raised in Boston. I believe in making a change with photography; inspiring positive change in people through the exploration of our human connection and culture. I am rooted in the discovery of self through image making. The photographic process has overtime opened paths for people like myself to identify our authentic and unique character. My first self portrait was taken in 2007. Next, in 2008 I discovered  H.I.P H.O.P – How I photograph, Helps Other People. This is a journey that started from curiosity of judgment, acceptance, and transparency. My passion is image making.

@Jaypix Belmer, Startdate, 2014, 24×16,

Rashod Taylor: What drew you to apply for the PRC’s 50th Anniversary Mentorship Program?

Jaypix Belmer: Pushing my work further and expanding the narrative is important to me. I am an Alum of the New England Art Institute and this is a full circle moment for me to honor my passion and commitment to photography. Photographers like Jamel Shabazz, Lyle Ashton Harris, Lou Jones, Ming Smith, and Mark Seliger are a few that have a voice in social movements that I truly admire. I honestly love photography and meeting people who share the same interest. I wanted to do an official mentorship with Rahod Taylor.. I’m very curious about other people’s work and process.

©Jaypix Belmer, Picha, 2026, 24×16

Rashod Taylor: Over the past six months, how has your work evolved, either conceptually or Visually?

Jaypix Belmer: My work has evolved more conceptually but also visually. I have decided that the work is developed from the turning points in my life that has led me to this place. Things Happen through People. People who have nurtured and cared for me have influenced my life and trajectory. I have begun to conceptualize this matter. I am understanding my duty as a photo evangelist, carrying a message that has been proven to self.

©Jaypix Belmer, Sojourner Truth, 2014, 12×10

Rashod Taylor: How has your personal history or lived experience influenced the photographs you make?

Jaypix Belmer: My personal history and lived experience is what motivates me to continue and practice what I’m good at. You always have to return back to your gifts when you don’t know what to do.

The work is my duty. I’ve decided to advocate for myself and for the people. I am here to create, I have a desire for self love & self mastery. My work brings connection and frequency. Not only individually but collectively. Not only through photography but in our minds, in our conscience and in our truth. It is our responsibility to learn what we can, and reach who we can, while we are here.

©Jaypix Belmer, Soul Soldier, 2014, 12×8

Rashod Taylor: Was there a piece of feedback or a conversation during our mentorship that shifted the way you think about photography or storytelling?

Jaypix Belmer: My mentor asked me : “Why do I photograph people so much,”?

I thought this was interesting , because I do. Photography is a moral position to me. For me it is the willingness to be present and true to the moments in discovery. Our energy dialogue or silence can result in creative image making and overtime I am guided, I am advised by the moment in its authenticity. I am most proud when we people identify themselves. It’s a commitment to a remembrance that keeps my viewpoint powerful. I love myself therefore I show love to others. This action indicates my capacity, competence, and potential to reflect and relate to others so they feel safe and want to be themselves. Photography for me is a process of moving toward harmony. I show up as myself, I am honored to be in connection and show gratitude to people who come in contact with me. I give the real thing, so that we may walk in destiny to our desired vision. This question allowed me to really reflect on my process and what it is I’m creating and why.

©Jaypix Belmer, The Source, 2010, 16×10

Rashod Taylor: What has been the most valuable aspect of working one-on-one with a mentor through the PRC program?

Jaypix Belmer: I am connecting with a photographer who is in the field working and creating in real time. Rashod Taylor was my choice because I looked at his work and I saw how awesome he and his work was and I wanted to connect. The PRC is a place where I learned the definition of fine art and was inspired by other works and concepts. It’s valuable because it holds space where people can share work to build networks and you are exposed to all different formats, mediums and styles of photography to become better at doing your photography and exhibiting your work.

©Jaypix Belmer, The Recipe, 2010, 16×10

©Jaypix Belmer, 38 Years Old, 1986 20×16

Jaypix Belmer is a non binary African American, who works in photography & design
capturing the “visual soul of their subjects”. Born and raised in Boston, Jaypix
photographs and engages with communities of color, LGBTQ communities, and other
historically or currently excluded communities in Greater Boston. Graduating from the
New England art institute with a Bachelors in Photography; Jaypix’s professional style
combines innovative design and artistically bold portraits that shine a light on
individuals, enabling confidence towards the pursuit of their own vision. Being able to
capture a feeling rather than a moment is a unique aesthetic evident throughout their
work. Jaypix has an extreme commitment to storytelling. Through dialogue Jaypix
establishes a strong relationship with the people they photograph, which results in
creative image-making. Jaypix brings awareness to public spaces and institutional
complexes to generate conversations about community, culture and assets in our
everyday lives. When not assisting people with transformation, Jaypix works on local
and national commercial projects based around anthropology, amplifying the artist
identity; honoring environmental assets through archiving and exhibition to build
vibrant livable neighborhoods.

Instagram @jaypixmof

Portrait of Rashod Taylor

©Rashod Taylor, Tired of Waiting

Rashod Taylor (b.1985) attended Murray State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in art with a specialization in Fine Art Photography. Taylor favors traditional and lost format practice of photography silver prints and wet plate collodion process among them. Taylor’s work uses portraiture to address themes of family, race, culture and legacy. The artist’s photographs are a window into the Black American experience. His photographs are part of the permanent collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture, The Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Taylor has taught numerous workshops at Anderson Ranch Art Center. He has presented lectures at Stanford University, George Washington University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Maine Media Workshop + College, Los Angeles Center of Photography, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, among other venues. The artist is represented by jdc Fine Art and Obscura Gallery and has been included in group and solo shows, respectively. Editorial clients include National Geographic, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, Esquire, ProPublica, among others. His work has also been featured in CNN, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Forbes, Hulu, Buzzfeed News, Black & White Magazine, Feature Shoot and Lenscratch. Rashod Taylor lives in Bloomington, IL

Instagram:@rashodtaylorphoto