Deanna Thompson is a photographer and poet based in Cleveland, Ohio. As a photographer, she focuses on capturing candid moments at open mic events, cultural events, and other creative gatherings. She enjoys photographing people in their element, whether they’re on stage or being in community with each other. Her camera of choice is a Fujifilm XT-5.

She is best known for her photography work in the spoken word community, where she photographs artists in performance venues across Cleveland. Her photography is often praised for its ability to capture the sides of creatives they don’t always see themselves. She crafts photos with that intention in mind: to honor the artist and their words, vulnerability, and presence. 

Deanna’s photography work has appeared in Cleveland Magazine and Freshwater Cleveland and was recently shown at Larchmere Arts in March 2025. She has collaborated several times with Poetry Unplugged and was honored as their first recipient of the Caribe Legacy Award last year, named in honor of Phabian Caribe. The award celebrates artists who embody dedication, bravery, and artistic brilliance while uplifting their community through artistry and service. She currently serves as the Creative Director of Unbarrd Open Mic at Unbar Cafe.

She is also a newly published poet. Her poem windowsill elegy is featured in Seeds: Vol. 1, the official book of The Nature of Healing, an art exhibition curated by Deep Roots Gallery.