We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tyrus Riley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tyrus below.

Tyrus, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I hope to leave a legacy of care, love, respect, and helpfulness. I hope people will remember me for the work I’ve done to help others and my eagerness to give my time to a good cause. I hope my clients will remember me for the joy and the experience I created in portraiture.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been doing this for over 30 years and I’ve captured lots of memories through my lens. I’ve helped build several small businesses brands with my imagery and the many lives that I have touched with my photography. My love of photography stretches back to my teenage years when I stubbled on a camera my mother had boxed up which belonged to my granddad. In side the box was a old Brownie camera. Surprisingly it still worked and we found an old Kodak store which carried the film I needed to get this fascinating interest of mine going. Everywhere I went I had that camera. Folks at my church made me the unofficial church photographer which I had lots of fun doing that and I felt honored. I continued tightening up my skills and I had people to keep inquiring for my services, but early in my photography it wasn’t great and very little income. It was rough, but I made it because my vision was to be consistent and provide a quality of service that my client’s experience was at the top of one of my deliverables. I had skill, know how, ability, but no one to help guild a young photographer (back in the 90’s) on how to navigate this game. I knew I needed more. I tried reaching out, but Unfortunately there was no one that would mentor me, which hurt at first, but I knew in order to continue to be successful I had to get educated on the rules of third’s, basic composition, framing, etc. as well as how to run a business in a constantly moving industry.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Being consistent and committed to my client’s. Over time I’ve developed core values and goals for my business. I set an overall objective for every project, event, and client which creates a culture of excellence, an atmosphere shifter which makes you a game changer and the asset for their brand/business partner.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Over thinking my objectives, Don’t try, Do! There’s only do when it comes to creating a piece of art from concept to capturing that amazing imagery. You must believe in yourself, and trust that you are equipped with everything that you need to complete the task at hand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DRGphotoStudio.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/DRGphotoStudioLLC
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DRGphotoStudioLLC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyrusriley
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRGphotoStudio
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCik8PemYDcnS4ZmA9JTouAA
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/drg-photo-studio-winston-4
• Other: https://linktr.ee/DRGphotoStudioLLC

Image Credits
Melody Marie Melton Melody Marie Fitness Beyond the Beauty Team Kenya Lee Fountleroy Texture Life of Atlanta Glam Party Design Kelley Brown Joy In Motion Mailia Stokes Dancellence Training Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell