my name is my name

Malique Payne is an accomplished cultural ethnographer and visual storyteller in New York City. As a self-taught photographer, Payne has been actively exploring photography’s profound impact and significance since 2012. He specializes in documentary, archival, architecture, and landscape projects, showcasing an impressive ability to highlight the richness and complexity of the Black experience with his sharp eye for detail.

He is known for operating under the pseudonym “Bleekaluchi,” which he adopted early on in his career to establish a unique identity and moniker. His byBleekaluchi brand, created in 2019, has helped incorporate the photographer with the business and the brand. He strives to capture the full range of emotions that define the Black experience, from moments of joy and thrill to those of grief and struggle.

The resulting images are refined and multifaceted, offering viewers a powerful and deeply moving glimpse into Black culture and identity. Payne’s work is a testament to his dedication, passion, and skill as a photographer, and it’s clear that his biography is still being written one story and one image at a time.