The Art of Ruddy Roye By Allison Pinski

Ruddy Roye was just named TIME’s Instagram Photographer of 2016. The 20-year is a self-proclaimed humanist/activist, a “photographer with a conscience” with more than 263,000 followers. Roye uses photography to share the stories of black Americans, taking a stand against racism, hate crimes, and police brutality.

In an interview with TIME, Roye said he joined Instagram because he wanted to, “open my veins. I felt like I was hurting, and I wanted to talk about my hurt. So I started to look for stories that were my stories. It was easy to just sit down with somebody and talk about them being disenfranchised or being unable to feed their family. I found those stories to be real. They were my stories.” To read the full interview between TIME and Roye, click here!

Follow Roye on Instagram, and check out his website for more portraits.

October 18, 2016 Blackness For many this might not mean much but for me, seeing this signals a new age in black consciousness or black awareness. I will admit, black panther on a school bag is nothing new. The marvel character has been around since 1966, and was the first black super hero to make it to mainstream America. The character is usually depicted as the king and protector of Wakanda, a fictional African nation. However this is the first time I have seen the marvel hero on anything since I migrated to the States some twenty six years ago. I saw 13 year old Kevin walking on his way to school this morning and immediately started to take pictures of him walking away from me. I was happy and giddy at the same time, but I was concerned that he thought me a weirdo, a photographer chasing behind him snapping away. In fact he was more than delighted to say, "Maan he is my favourite super hero. I got this bag because I wanted to rep him. He really is the only black super hero out there right now and that is important to me." I feel like everything that is happening right now in America around "Black Lives Matter speaks to a paradigm shift in black consciousness especially from the viewpoint of this younger generation. I believe they are waking up to a "blacker," more accepting America -- or I would like to think so. #bedstuyportrait #brooklynportrait# #streetportrait #streetphotography #makeportraits #makeportrait #leicaq #whenlivingisaprotest #blacklivesmatter #blackportraiture

A photo posted by "Humanist/Activist." (@ruddyroye) on Oct 18, 2016 at 8:33am PDT

September 26, 2016 Paralyzed A young lad comforts his friend after taking a tour at the new African American Museum of History and Culture. Everyone has asked the question, "How did you feel when you went to the Museum?" They are referring to my recent coverage of the Smithsonian African American Museum for History and Culture on the National Geographic Instagram feed. My answer is complex. Having worked on some of the artifacts that are now on display, I have some inside knowledge that is not married to the work that is currently on view. It means that the full story will once again elude the people who stand to benefit from the rich history. But enough about critiquing the Museum. It was a painful experience for me walking around and listening to the grunts and the moans. I didn't see any tears, but I witnessed a number of folks staring in a catatonic state as they looked at the art. I can't wait to see how this collection will grow, after all it is still in its infancy. This is certainly a great start. #washingtondcportrait #nmaahc #blackportraiture #streetphotography #streetportrait #makeportrait #makeportraits #leicamp

A photo posted by "Humanist/Activist." (@ruddyroye) on Sep 26, 2016 at 2:20pm PDT

August 28, 2016 Choquibtown Partnering with @toyotalatino and having a blast with members of Choquibtown as the pose for a photograph while enjoying the sounds at the Brooklyn @afropunk festival. Thanks to the wonderful crew at Toyotalatino for making this shoot a wonderful one and big shout out to @ucwhateyec_ for making the light right @toyotausa #ad

A photo posted by "Humanist/Activist." (@ruddyroye) on Aug 28, 2016 at 7:23pm PDT

June 12, 2016 Cameron Sterling is only 15 years old. He is posing with a composite image he made this morning using a picture of himself and an old picture he had of his father. "The police took his phone so all the pictures he took are gone with his phone," he told me. The whole time I am with him, he does not say more than two sentences without conjuring up some memory of his father that brings him close to tears. A song by Drake blares from his cell phone and he immediately starts a sentence with, "that was my dad's favorite song." He tries to smile. "Today has been a peaceful day so far. There was less drama today. It's quiet and calm today. But this morning started with my mom coming to get me so I can meet my lawyer and she had to call down to social services to get some money so our utilities would not be cut off.” Both Cameron and his mother Quinyetta seem to hold each other up with words of encouragement. "Why you crying now big boy, see I know my little teddy bear," she said smiling as she watched her son hold back his tears. Photo and text by @ruddyroye #onassignment #batonrougeportrait #streetphotography #streetportrait #makeportrait #makeportraits @time @leicaakademieusa @leicacamerausa #blackportraiture

A photo posted by "Humanist/Activist." (@ruddyroye) on Jul 12, 2016 at 6:07pm PDT

June 10, 2016 "Crossing that Bridge" Yesterday Assistant Chief of Police Gary Tittle tried to comfort this young man in front of the police station where a memorial was erected for people to come and grieve. Originally I had walked over the the Assistant Chief to make a portrait of him standing infront of the precinct with this single stalk of flower. However with the outpouring of people that kept approaching him to hug or offer their support, I decided to hang back and snap a portrait of him instead. I posted this picture on the @time instagram feed and was surprised at some of the comments. This one picture taught me so much about where we are and how far change is. Some of the comments claimed that this photo was a fake, staged or pandering to police propaganda. I guess it's easier to dismiss it, than to actually believe that in this photo are two human beings grieving. I am taking over the @time Instagram feed while documenting the events as they unfold here in Dallas Texas #dallasportrait #streetphotography #streetportrait #makeportraits #makeportrait #leica240 @leicaakademieusa @leicacamerausa

A photo posted by "Humanist/Activist." (@ruddyroye) on Jul 10, 2016 at 9:16am PDT