By Staff
Photography, at its best, becomes more than an image—it becomes memory, emotion, and truth suspended in time. For this artist, the camera is not merely a tool but a sanctuary, a conduit through which culture, spirit, and humanity are honored. His work is deeply intentional, rooted in love for his people and guided by a visual instinct that feels both ancestral and cinematic. In this conversation, he reflects on his journey, his creative process, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
What first drew you to photography as your artistic medium, and when did you realize it was more than just a hobby—it was your calling?
I honestly believe photography found me. There were so many memories and emotions living inside me, and the camera gave me a way to freeze a moment in time—to hold stillness when my thoughts weren’t quiet. I never saw it as a calling, but rather as a safe place where I could feel, breathe, and simply be.
How would you describe your visual language?
My visual language is rooted in composition, shaped to tell a story infused with intention. It’s where thought becomes imagery, and where ideas too big for words find a place to live.
What stories or emotions are you most drawn to capturing through your lens?
I’m captivated by the mastery of my people. My mission is to always show us in the best light—our strength, our brilliance, our royalty.
Your work often feels cinematic—layered with mood, memory, and cultural symbolism. How intentional is that balance between composition and storytelling?
It’s very intentional. Creating is a gift from the Most High, and I would never take that for granted. Every frame is shaped with purpose.
Who or what has most influenced your artistic voice—whether from within the photography world or beyond it?
Music has shaped me immensely. As a musician, I study artists across every discipline—their styles, their perspectives, their pain, and their genius. I’ve always appreciated that expression. Photography simply gives me another way to tell those stories—my way.
How do you see photography as a tool for social commentary or cultural preservation, particularly in the Black experience?
Imagery has always been a vessel for my people—a way to express, create, and document our legends from the past, present, and future. I hope to honor that tradition in my own small way.
Can you walk us through your creative process—from the moment inspiration strikes to the final edit?
I don’t chase inspiration; I let it arrive naturally. When it comes, it makes itself known—it consumes my thoughts. My job is to channel it as honestly and effectively as I can.
When I choose a model or subject, I begin by sharing the vision. Transparency builds trust, and trust creates space to grow together. It all starts with laying the proper foundation.
In a time when everyone has a camera in their pocket, what do you believe separates an artist from a content creator?
I actually see them as intertwined. Art is powerful, and every expression—whether through a phone or a camera—is creativity at work. If someone sees something and captures it with intention, that’s expression, and expression is art. They do it their way, and I do it mine.
What role does vulnerability play in your work—and how do you decide which parts of yourself to reveal through your art?
I consider myself inconsequential to what I shoot. My vulnerability comes from the fact that I don’t insert myself—I focus on the person, the message, the story. That’s where the truth is.
How has your understanding of identity, community, and beauty evolved since you began your career behind the camera?
Self-knowledge is essential. It’s allowed me to see beyond my own limitations. My love for my people is pure, and my culture never disappoints. Becoming someone you’ve never been before requires patience—and I’m learning every day.
What have been some defining moments or projects that reshaped the way you see the world—or yourself?
Having friends who genuinely believe in me has been the most defining. It’s a humbling joy when people see your value and one another’s. It helps me view the world as a blessing and myself as an ever-evolving student.
How do you want people to feel when they experience your photography?
I want them to feel—whatever emotion rises up. Joy, happiness, pain, love, anger, pride—it’s all valid. Ultimately, I want people to look inward and recognize the growth of their own greatness.
What legacy do you hope to leave through your art, and how do you see your work contributing to the visual archive of our time?
I want future generations to look back and know that I was mentally present—that I saw the abundance of love and resilience in my people. My hope is to always honor that and contribute a meaningful chapter to our visual legacy.
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