Meet the Gifted Eye Photographer
The Gfted Eye Photographer
Koi Sojer, the founder of Snap'N U Photos. Koi has been a professional photographer for over 33 years and is passionate about capturing the beauty and essence of her subjects. She started Snap'N U Photos to provide a unique and personalized experience by
Snap'N U One Smile at a Time!
Hollywood
Angela Bassett
Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson
Zendaya
Ruth E. Carter
Colman Domingo
Ava DuVernay
My Journey
A Picture Without A Camera
As a child, I could always see a picture without a camera, and Gordon Parks was the number one reason I wanted to be a photographer. I was a teenager when I joined the United States Army and was deployed to South Korea, where I purchased my first 35mm camera. My Ricoh KR-5 camera allowed me to share photos with my family.
I love being a
As a child, I could always see a picture without a camera, and Gordon Parks was the number one reason I wanted to be a photographer. I was a teenager when I joined the United States Army and was deployed to South Korea, where I purchased my first 35mm camera. My Ricoh KR-5 camera allowed me to share photos with my family.
I love being a photographer and capturing my journey.
I thank God for my "Gifted Eye" every day!
(Gordon Parks)
My Underground Beginnings
After serving my country in the United States Army and playing in the European Women's Basketball League, I began my new career as a young black female self-taught photographer in 1990, capturing the Underground World of Hip Hop in New York City at our infamous Tuesday Night "Funk Hut" Parties. Soon, my images were published in major maga
After serving my country in the United States Army and playing in the European Women's Basketball League, I began my new career as a young black female self-taught photographer in 1990, capturing the Underground World of Hip Hop in New York City at our infamous Tuesday Night "Funk Hut" Parties. Soon, my images were published in major magazines, including Source, VIBE, Black Beat, Rappages, among others
In 1997, I moved to London, where I worked as a photographer & photo editor for PRIDE magazine.
(Koi Sojer / Big Daddy Kane)
Hip-Hop 2 Hollywood
Hip-Hop 2 Hollywood
After capturing the Underground World of Hip-Hop on film in New York City, I moved to Los Angeles and began working with photo agencies. This opened doors, allowing me to photograph Hollywood A-list celebrities at Red Carpet and Award Events, Movie Premieres, Sporting Events, and Private VIP Parties. Hollywood has been incredibly rewardin
After capturing the Underground World of Hip-Hop on film in New York City, I moved to Los Angeles and began working with photo agencies. This opened doors, allowing me to photograph Hollywood A-list celebrities at Red Carpet and Award Events, Movie Premieres, Sporting Events, and Private VIP Parties. Hollywood has been incredibly rewarding, and my photographs reflect the joy and dedication I invest in capturing these moments. My "Gifted Eye" journey continues to unfold, and I am grateful for each frame.
I have had an Epic journey as a "Gifted Eye" Photographer, and the ride continues!
(Koi Sojer / Sidney Poitier)
Young, Gifted & Black
Young, Gifted & Black
From the golden era of New York City's 1990s Hip-Hop to the red carpets of Hollywood, Koi Sojer of Snap’N U Photos has always been exactly where the story was – being the lens, capturing history
An Army Veteran, visionary photographer, and self-taught artist, Koi embedded herself in the heart of Hip-Hop’s rise, capturing iconic moments at
From the golden era of New York City's 1990s Hip-Hop to the red carpets of Hollywood, Koi Sojer of Snap’N U Photos has always been exactly where the story was – being the lens, capturing history
An Army Veteran, visionary photographer, and self-taught artist, Koi embedded herself in the heart of Hip-Hop’s rise, capturing iconic moments at the infamous “Funk Hut” Tuesday night parties she co-hosted with her twin sister, Gramma Funk.
Her work is not just photography—it’s visual storytelling that documents the raw essence of artists such as Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah, and so many more.
Her lens became a passport into the Hip-Hop kingdom – her photos gracing album covers, magazine pages, and award-winning documentaries. From Tupac: Resurrection to Netflix’s Hip-Hop Evolution and FX/Hulu’s Dear Mama, Koi’s legacy is etched in every frame.
In 2008, she moved to Hollywood and continued blazing trails, photographing major red-carpet events, VIP parties, and award ceremonies, including the Oscars, building bridges between Hip-Hop and mainstream culture. Koi’s legacy is living proof that Hip-Hop isn’t just heard – it’s seen, felt, and preserved.
Family
Our Beloved Mommy Ayoka
Our Beloved Mommy Ayoka
Our Beloved Mommy Ayoka
She raised us to believe in ourselves and the gifts we were given. This allowed us to explore all the adventures in life, without letting being a girl create roadblocks.
My Twin Sissy
Our Beloved Mommy Ayoka
Our Beloved Mommy Ayoka
I thank my twin sissy, Toi aka Gramma Funk, for introducing me to the music industry and for always supporting me even when times got hard.
What a ride we have had together!
30+ Years later
Our Beloved Mommy Ayoka
Trailblazers Talk: Celebrating Women In Hip Hop
I have used the gift I was given as a female photographer, and my journey has been remarkable. I've gone from New York's Underground Hip-Hop to Hollywood A-List Celebrities, and the journey continues!
Trailblazers Talk: Celebrating Women In Hip Hop
Trailblazers Talk: Celebrating Women In Hip Hop
Trailblazers Talk: Celebrating Women In Hip Hop
Fresh, Bold & So Def Symposium Trailblazers Talk: Celebrating Women In Hip Hop event at the Lincoln Center on April 5, 2025.
Photo by: Shelby Antel
KI Smith Gallery Presents
Trailblazers Talk: Celebrating Women In Hip Hop
KI Smith Gallery Presents
The GOLDEN 90s Hip-Hop Exhibition
Featuring Celebrity Hip Hop Photographer
Koi Sojer of Snap'N U Photos
at Ki Smith Gallery in New York City.
(April 19, 2025 - May 25, 2025)
Photo by: Stacie Joi
Accomplishments
Album Covers:
A Tribe Called Quest's “Award Tour” single cover (1993), Akinyele's “The Bomb” Album cover (1993).
Books & Magazines:
VIBE, The Source, Black Beat, Rappages, Beat Down, PRIDE (1993-1997), VIBE Book: Unbelievable "The Life, Death, and Afterlife of The Notorious B.I.G." (2003), EBONY Magazine: Jill Scott (2015), New York Post: Chrissy Teigen (2015), People Magazine: Taraji P. Henson (2016), Daily News Paper: Katy Perry on the front cover (2016)
Brian Coleman, "Check The Technique" Volume 2 Book (2016), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Book: Tupac & Biggie (2017). NY Post: NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio on the front cover (2021). People Magazine: Finn Wolfhard (2022)
TV Networks & Documentaries: Hip-Hop photographs
Tupac: Resurrection Documentary (2003), A&E “BIGGIE: The Life of Notorious B.I.G.” documentary (2017), Murder Rap “Inside the Biggie & Tupac Murders" Documentary (2017), VH1 Female Honors (Conscious Daughters) (2017), FOX TV Who Shot Biggie & Tupac? Movie (2017), BET's Death Row Chronicles (2018), Netflix Hip-Hop Evolution documentary series episode called "NY Producers" Ep. 204. (2018), USA Network Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. (2018), WEtv "Untold Stories of Hip Hop" documentary S01E01 (2019), AMC Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America: Season 1 - Episode 6 LADIES FIRST by Queen Latifah (2019), FX Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur Episode 2 (Tupac & Biggie) photos (2023), 50 Cent's Netflix Documentary: Sean Combs: The Reckoning (2025)
Red Carpet Events:
The SAG Awards, MTV, VMAs, AMAs, BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards, VIP events, Movie Premieres, and Concerts. She has also been the official photographer for the Pan African Film Festival for the past eight years.
Panels: Documenting History In Your Own Back Yard II:
Guest Speaker for Documenting Hip-Hop History Through Photography (2020). Guest Speaker for Archiving In Our Own Backyard (2023), Lincoln Center Presents Trailblazers Talk: Celebrating Women in Hip Hop (2025).
Exhibits:
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: It's Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope & Empowerment
Photo of Tupac & Biggie (2020). Hiphopcinefest.org Cinema Festival Hip-Hop Culture 360 Photo Exhibit (2021). Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop Exhibition (2023), Hip Hop 50th Exhibition (2024), The GOLDEN 90s Hip Hop Exhibition ( Ki Smith NYC Gallery) 2025
Shooting Events:
It's Time for Hip Hop in NYC Concerts (2021), New Edition "Culture Tour" (2022), Hip Hop 4 Peace event in Los Angeles (2022), Universal Hip Hop Museum "West Coast Road Show" (2022).