Derek & ro — stories in every frame: musaura's creative duo

Nirobi “Ro” Santanna and Derek are two Louisville based creatives who see the world through their cameras. 

Ro is a self-taught photographer and digital media creator. Her love for photography started in childhood and grew into a career four years ago, beginning with shoots for The Louisville Living Room, a local poetry collective. Guided by the idea that “everyone deserves memories,” Ro has worked on portraits, street photography, events, and brand projects. After her first exhibition in 2023, she’s continued to grow and collaborate with other local artists. Her newest project, "On The Couch", a mixed-media show centered on the heart of a home, will debut in summer 2026.

For Derek, picking up a film camera changed the way he sees the world. The fleeting nature of film taught him to capture moments as they happen, without worrying about perfection. Music—soul, R&B, and hip-hop—drives his photography, shaping the stories he tells and the emotions he brings out in every image.

Together, Ro and Derek create more than photos—they capture memories, feelings, and the rhythm of life. This dynamic duo are MUSAURA's very own creative directors and photographers. 

Nirobi “Ro” Santanna has always seen the world a little differently. Growing up, she shared a room with her sister, surrounded by walls of photographs and scrapbooks filled with memories. From those early days, Ro learned that a picture could hold time, preserve a feeling, and tell a story long after the moment had passed. Photography became more than a hobby—it became a way to return, to remember, and to share that memory with others.

Professionally, Ro has been building her vision for the past four years. Her first major work came with "The Louisville Living Room", a local poetry collective. Capturing poets and their performances, she realized her craft could give people something lasting to look back on. “Everyone deserves memories,” she says—a philosophy that continues to guide every shoot.

Her work spans studio portraits, street photography, events, and brand projects, each carrying its own story. She plans carefully, drawing inspiration from music, films, books, and her own imagination. Pinterest boards, notes, and sketches help her shape the ideas she sees in her mind before she ever clicks the shutter.

Collaboration has been central to her growth. Working closely with Raeven, a local makeup artist and creative director, Ro learned the art of creative direction while assisting as a second shooter. Together, they bring ideas to life, blending vision, skill, and spontaneity on every set. Ro also credits her city’s creative community for teaching her the value of teamwork, trust, and shared energy.

Storytelling remains at the heart of her work. Every gallery, every portrait, is a moment captured with intention. The narrative often emerges slowly, revealing itself only when a client returns to their images weeks or months later. Through it all, Ro has learned to trust herself, to say no when needed, and to create for herself outside of assignments. She continues to shoot for curiosity, for joy, and for the love of her craft.

For Derek, photography began the moment he picked up a film camera. It wasn’t just a hobby—it was a revelation. The first time he pressed the shutter, he realized that every moment had a weight, a fleeting beauty that could never be perfectly repeated. Inspired by one of his closest friends based in Miami, Edwins Saintrose, Derek has turned his love for photography into his way of life. Into artwork. With film, once a photo is taken, it’s gone until it’s developed, and that taught Derek to let go of perfection and embrace the moment. Every frame became a small act of mindfulness, a way to truly see the world with his own two eyes.

Music is the heartbeat of Derek’s work. Soul, R&B, and hip-hop guide his vision, shaping both the mood of his shoots and the stories he tells. Often, a song sparks the concept of a shoot—its rhythm and emotion giving life to his images. He believes that music and photography share a language: both can make you feel something without saying a word. When Derek looks at a photo—his own or someone else’s—he asks, “What song does this feel like?” That question drives his creativity, pushing him to capture emotion as much as image.

Derek’s photography is about people, places, and moments. He focuses on the energy around him—the laughter, the tension, the quiet seconds between events. He anticipates movement, reacts to light, and waits for the truth of a moment to reveal itself. His work is instinctual, rooted in observation and curiosity, yet deliberate in execution. Every photograph tells a story, but only when you look closely do you notice the layers: the music, the mood, the life happening in between frames.

Beyond the camera, Derek sees himself as a storyteller. Film taught him patience; music taught him emotion; and both have shaped his philosophy: photography is not about perfection—it’s about capturing life as it moves, as it feels, as it exists for a brief, irreplaceable moment. His images invite viewers to pause, to feel, and to connect—not just with the subject in front of the lens, but with the rhythm of the world itself.

Through their lenses, Ro and Derek capture more than just images—they capture stories, emotions, and moments that linger long after the shutter clicks. Every photograph they create is a reflection of authenticity, a celebration of life’s details, and an invitation to see the world through their eyes. In their work, art becomes not just something to look at, but something to feel, experience, and carry with you