A QUALITATIVE EXAMINATION OF THE SUCCESS OF BLACK WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS UTILIZING THE SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY ___________ A Dissertation Presented to The Faculty of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Houston Baptist University ___________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education ___________ by Tomayia T. Colvin May, 2020 A QUALITATIVE EXAMINATION OF THE SUCCESS OF BLACK WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS UTILIZING THE SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY by Tomayia T. Colvin ___________ APPROVED: __________________________________ Dianne Reed, EdD Committee Chair __________________________________ Jennifer Butcher, PhD Committee Member __________________________________ Joseph Pelletier, PhD Committee Member __________________________________ Julie Fernandez, EdD Dean College of Education & Behavioral Sciences __________________________________ Dianne Reed, EdD Program Director Doctor of Education in Executive Educational Leadership This dissertation follows the format and style of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition except where superseded by directions from the Director of the Doctor of Education in Executive Educational Leadership Program at Houston Baptist University. ABSTRACT Colvin, Tomayia T., A Qualitative Examination of the Success of Black Women Photographers Utilizing the Self-Determination Theory. Doctor of Education (Executive Educational Leadership), May 2020, Houston Baptist University, Houston, Texas. Purpose The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological case study was to identify factors that contribute to the success of Black women photographer business owners related to the self-determination theory. For this study, successful Black women photographer business owners are those who earn at least 50% of their individual income from photography via self-employment or commissioned work, with gross earnings of more than $30,000 per year from commissioned work, and who have the ability to create images with high technical skill or merit. The participants self-identified their experiences as Black women photography business owners. The research questions allowed participants to share their lived experiences related to the self-determination factors that contributed to their professional success. Findings indicated that autonomous factors such as having the freedom and ability to take control of their business and be able to fulfill their life’s purpose through photography contributed to participants’ feelings of success. Participants demonstrated the relatedness factor through deep connections to their clients and colleagues and via support received from other photographers. Participants described a sense of effectiveness in their technical skills and business acumen that they attributed to communication and praise from other photographers, demonstrating the competence factor. Participants noted that an appreciation for Black culture and lifestyle had a positive impact on their photography business. This study provides Black women photographers the framework to envision iii success, and offers photography industry practitioners and camera companies recommendations on how to support the success of Black women photographers in the photography industry. Keywords: Black Women Photographers, Success, Self-Determination Theory, Entrepreneurship iv DEDICATION God. Thank you for choosing me to be your voice and your hand of protection on this journey. My dissertation is dedicated to my children Grace and Ivory, my parents, family, friends, and community of photographers that have poured all of their love and support to support me on this journey. Grace and Ivory, you have been my personal why since the day you all were born. You all give me a reason to leave the world a better place and to continue to open doors ahead of you. I am thankful to be your mom and all of the lessons and joy that you bring to my life. Thank you for allowing mommy to always “dream big” and being there with me every step of the way. To my family, thank you for your unwavering support, prayers, babysitting, and encouragement to help me get to the finish line. Grandma, Mom, Dad, & Anna and my brothers this is for you. To my friends, you have held my hand from day one. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and being my anchor. Your support means everything to me. Black women photographers, you are simply magical. I appreciate those of you who have paved the way before me and have helped guide my study. A special thank you to the photography community, vendors, and supporters who have supported me on this journey. You have poured into my success, the many nights of writing, and helping me build a table for us. In love and light to the late Ella Colvin, David Gaston Sr., Rafael Sutton, & Big Mama. Thank you for being my guiding light and armor of protection to the finish line. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Many thanks to my phenomenal Committee Chair Dr. Reed. Thank you for support and guidance during the Educational Leadership journey here at Houston Baptist University. Thank you for believing that I could change the world through photography and education. You believed with me that “nothing is impossible” if I had the faith of a mustard seed. Dr. Butcher, thank you for always encouraging me to complete the journey even if I took baby steps along the way. You’ve always answered every question and guided me through this process. You held my hand and made sure I was always writing and making progress. To Dr. Pelletier, thank you for your support and helping me better understand methodology and the importance of quality data. To Cohort Two and the dynamic Maria Starling, Iboro Eno, Evans Ikpo, Malissa Childers, and Tonya Vetter your support and encouragement has been the glue that held us together. The late night phone calls, weekend meetings, celebrating the small wins, and holding each other accountable has been priceless. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................ v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................. vi LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... x CHAPTER I .................................................................................................................. 11 Background of the Study ......................................................................................... 15 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................ 16 The Purpose of the Study and Significance .............................................................. 16 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 17 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................. 18 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................... 19 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 19 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 20 Assumptions............................................................................................................ 21 Summary and Organization of the Study ................................................................. 21 CHAPTER II ................................................................................................................ 23 Self-Determination Theory ...................................................................................... 23 Psycho-social Constructs ......................................................................................... 26 Non-Cognitive and Other Potential Factors ............................................................. 28 Photography Industry Practices ............................................................................... 29 State of the Photography Industry ............................................................................ 35 Black Women as Entrepreneurs ............................................................................... 36 vii Summary ................................................................................................................. 39 CHAPTER III ............................................................................................................... 40 Research Design ...................................................................................................... 40 Context and Setting ................................................................................................. 42 Participants ............................................................................................................. 43 Instrumentation ....................................................................................................... 44 Reliability and Validity ........................................................................................... 46 Data Collection ....................................................................................................... 48 Researcher