“I gave birth during the pandemic, and it felt like my family was worlds away. It was just my daughter and me at home. That bedroom became my sanctuary—a hideaway where I could cry in private.”
In this interview, Dola Posh reflects on her journey since her daughter was born in August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “A few months later, in October, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression,” she shares. “I hadn’t been working, and my anxiety was through the roof. I felt incredibly isolated without the support of my family.”
Prompted by her health visitor, Dola began therapy, but she was unsure of how to express herself creatively. “I hadn’t picked up a camera in months,” she recalls. “My therapist suggested writing about my feelings, but instead, I decided to turn to photography. The first image I captured became the foundation for a series that reflects my longing for home, for community, and for my own sense of self.”
Dola describes the moment: “I was struggling with my identity, yet I held on to the hope that the light in my heart would return. Looking at that first image now, I see a resilient mother—a woman who wants to create life despite overwhelming challenges. I hoped other mothers could relate to my story and find solace in it.”
The bedroom, where she spent so much time caring for her daughter, naturally became the focal point for her work. “That room was a refuge for me—a place to nurse my child, to find comfort, and to let my emotions out. Creating images in that space helped me navigate my depression,” she explains. “It serves as a testament to how women can achieve greatness from the confines of their homes, even in such a small environment. When one of my photographs from this series, titled ‘Care,’ was displayed on billboards across the UK, I heard from mothers who felt acknowledged and seen.”
Dola reflects on her background, sharing insights from her upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria. “I grew up witnessing my mother and community of women raising their children, those images ingrained in my mind. With my father being a bishop, I was surrounded by religious iconography, particularly images of the Madonna and child,” she recounts. “When I moved to Britain, I visited the National Portrait Gallery and was inspired by numerous artworks on motherhood. All these experiences influenced my creative voice.”
Her work has become a platform for advocacy, especially for Black mothers. “This series not only helped me heal but also empowered me to tell the stories of other Black mothers,” she says. “Winning the Leica Women Foto Project award in 2024 opened doors for me to create more images centered around motherhood and to delve deeper into postpartum depression. I aim to confront the stigma and emotional neglect that many Black mothers face. We can show our vulnerability without losing our strength, and it’s essential that we seek help.”
Dola remembers a poignant moment from a recent art fair. “A man approached me and shared that, after seeing my photograph, he reached out to his mother—a connection rekindled after years. That really touched my heart.”
Now, Dola is documenting her personal journey with renewed strength. “Initially, I focused on the joys and challenges of my daily routine, but I’m finally ready to confront what truly happened during that time without fear. It’s an important part of my healing process.”
For more of Dola Posh’s work, visit dolaposh.com.
