I love when I am invited into unexpected gems in my city, and Unique Photo is certainly one, both for what it carries and for the building that holds it. A cornucopia of cameras, lenses, and photographic tools fills this old multi-floor space, which somehow feels contemporary against the historic backdrop of Philadelphia’s Old City.
 |
| Allan Steele-Dadzie, featured photographer, with writer Octavia McBride-Ahebee |
This past Friday, I attended the opening exhibition of Allan Steele-Dadzie, a photographer of deep intention and respect for his subjects. His show, Pieces of a Man, sets its tone the moment the elevator doors open onto the fourth floor. The first thing I encountered was an energetic, youthful atmosphere. A DJ, full of joyful presence and command, played early-2000s hip-hop. The music stirred long-held memories, and as I moved through that hypnotic soundscape, I found myself smiling and even dancing a little, cane and all. The rhythm seemed to guide me directly into the main exhibition space.
Inside, I entered a large, warm constellation of dynamic Black and brown creatives, gathered in support and celebration. Surrounding this vibrant group were Steele-Dadzie’s photographs: unframed, uncontained, almost bursting from the walls. Each image felt as if it was reaching for the viewer, inviting us to step into these intimate vignettes.
The exhibition title, Pieces of a Man, honors Gil Scott-Heron’s first studio album, a work Steele-Dadzie has long admired. Both men share a connection to Lincoln University, and both explore, in different mediums, the layered beauty and complexity of Black life.
Steele-Dadzie’s philosophy is grounded in humility. He recognizes that each photograph captures only a moment from a much larger story. A proud Philadelphian, he is also mindful of the city’s high poverty rate, the second highest among the ten largest American cities. Yet within this reality, his photographs reveal something essential: Black people do more than struggle. They love. They dream. They persevere. They laugh. They create.
A barber shapes a young boy’s hair with tenderness and skill, holding the child’s head with an almost protective strength. A father embraces his son in a gesture of quiet authority and tender affection. An older woman stands with a poise that feels earned and unhurried, her gray afro forming a soft halo around her. A young Black couple sits on the back of a Cadillac Fleetwood, striking a bold, self-assured pose that radiates their deep affection reminiscent of the couple in the movie Queen and Slim.
And Philadelphia’s unmistakable flair shows up in fur coats, confident stances, gleaming, gold grillz and stoopside elegance.
The exhibition also includes work by José Camacho, whose images deepen the visual conversation across the gallery. His photographs offer another lens on the lives and narratives of our communities, expanding the emotional reach of the show.
Steele-Dadzie emphasized to me that the relationship between photographer and subject is reciprocal, a shared exchange where the aim is to bring light, joy, and the grounded self-possession that lives in each portrait.
As an elder creative, it brought me real delight to witness so many young, talented artists collaborating and supporting one another. Pieces of a Man at Unique Photo is not simply an exhibition. The portraits themselves are a kind of gathering of community and a shared testament as to how art can anchor and affirm us.
For viewing times and details, contact Unique Photo, 28 S. 2nd Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 215-608-2222
To see more of Steele-Dadzie’s work, including recent opportunities such as photographing Philadelphia Eagles star A. J. Brown for a special project, follow him on Instagram at @allan.ali_
