Minky AKA Chantel Beam (they/them) is a photographer, cinematographer, and director based out of Alameda, CA. Beam’s work is an homage to their love for the world of queer nightlife, which they navigate as a non-binary queer person, and explores this culture while showcasing the cool queers in their life. 

They began their career as a teen, photographing hardcore shows at small music venues in Orange County, leading them to move north to attend San Francisco University in 2009, where they were first introduced to shooting movies on celluloid. Chantel settled down in the Bay Area after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema Production. 

Chantel’s work features elements of grime but remains ethereal, themes inspired by their childhood in classical dance training and John Waters movies. Chantel’s work meshes the many worlds that inspire them, creating what can be described as the union of a dreamlike state and filthy camp- a vision of color and vulgarity. in 2018, they began capturing their community through glamour shots out of their garage, but secured a small studio location in Oakland in 2021.

Instagram: @glamourshotsbyminky & @chantelbeam

TikTok: @stinkyminky420