We recently connected with Tyler Mcauley and have shared our conversation below.

Tyler , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve always been drawn to photography, but it wasn’t until I dove into the world of fine art and portraiture that I truly began honing my skills. My learning process has been a mix of formal education, personal experimentation, and a lot of trial and error. I’ve spent countless hours shooting, reviewing my work, and refining my approach. I also drew inspiration from emotions and theater, which helped me bring mood and motion into my compositions.

Looking back, I think immersing myself in communities of like-minded photographers earlier would have sped up my growth. Workshops and networking with professionals can fast-track your learning because you gain firsthand insights that aren’t always available in books or tutorials.

The most essential skills were definitely understanding light, composition, and learning to connect emotionally with my subjects. Mastering the technical aspects of the camera was important, but it was the emotional depth I brought to the work that really made it stand out.

The biggest obstacles I faced were often self-imposed—hesitations about trying new techniques or feeling like I needed more experience before pursuing certain projects. Overcoming those fears and embracing imperfection was key to my development as an artist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Tyler McAuley, and I’m a photographer and artist based in Chicago, specializing in fine art, dance, portraiture, fashion, and black-and-white photography. I’ve always had a fascination with capturing the essence of human emotion and bringing stories to life through images. My background in theater, including my time with Second City, has influenced the dynamic and often dramatic compositions I create. I love to play with light, mood, and motion in a way that evokes emotion and invites the viewer into the moment.

I got into photography because I’ve always felt a deep connection to storytelling through visual mediums. Initially, I experimented with different styles, but over time I was drawn to portraiture and fine art for the creative freedom they provide. My work often touches on themes of introspection, human connection, and the beauty of subtle expressions.

I offer a wide range of creative services—from individual portraits and editorial work to gallery exhibitions. One of the things that sets me apart is my ability to bring out an authentic emotional depth in my subjects, which is something that I feel clients appreciate. I also pride myself on offering a collaborative experience. Whether I’m working on a personal fine art project or with a client on a portrait session, it’s about creating something meaningful together.

I solve a variety of challenges for my clients, whether they’re looking to express their personal brand in a new way, capture a significant life moment, or create art that resonates on an emotional level. My black-and-white photography, in particular, allows me to strip away distractions and focus entirely on the subject’s emotion and the interplay of light and shadow.

What sets me apart from others in the field is the combination of my theatrical influences and acting training. I don’t just take photos; I am to craft scenes that evoke emotion and tell a story. The emotion, energy, and cinematic quality I aim to capture hopefully will lead to a result that feels alive and powerful.

I’m most proud of the emotional impact my work has had on people. When clients tell me that a portrait captures something they’ve never seen in themselves or that my art spoke to them on a deep level, that’s when I know I’ve succeeded.

What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know is that my work is about connection—whether it’s connecting with a subject during a shoot, connecting with viewers in a gallery setting, or connecting with the emotions that lie just beneath the surface of a scene. My goal is to create work that resonates long after the viewer has looked away.”

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

A pivotal story in my journey of resilience came when I was seriously ill and faced the real possibility that I might not be able to hold a camera again. Photography had been my passion and my livelihood, so the uncertainty was overwhelming. There were days when I didn’t know if I would physically recover enough to even get out of bed.

During that time, I had to confront not just the physical challenges but also the mental and emotional toll it took. The thought of having to give up photography, something so central to my identity, was terrifying. But I pushed through. I stayed focused on getting better, doing what I could to maintain my creative energy even when I wasn’t able to shoot.

When I was finally able to pick up my camera again, it felt like a second chance. That experience deepened my connection to my work, and I learned not to take any moment or opportunity for granted. The struggle gave me a new perspective on resilience—not just in bouncing back from setbacks, but in finding strength in vulnerability and embracing the unknown. It reinforced my belief that art, at its core, is about persistence and passion, even in the face of uncertainty.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, for me, is the ability to connect with people on a deep, emotional level. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about creating an image that resonates with someone, whether it stirs a memory, evokes a feeling, or simply makes them see the world in a new way. Art has this unique power to communicate beyond words, and being able to create something that speaks to people in that way feels like a gift.

What really makes it meaningful is when someone tells me that a photograph I’ve taken captured something about them they hadn’t seen before or helped them express something they didn’t have the words for. Knowing that my work can be a mirror or a window for someone, even just for a moment, is what makes all the effort worth it.

It’s about creating something that connects, something that has the potential to make someone feel understood or moved in some small way. That’s why I do what I do

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jmphotography23.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jm_photography23/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.mcauley.3/

Image Credits

Ashley Bates, Usher Whitledge, Taya Brooks, Alex Biegelson & Gabby Grywalski, Sam Byrne, Josephine Starr, Kate McDonald, AAron Renteria & Luis Gonzalez