We recently connected with Tyreek Voltaire and have shared our conversation below.
Tyreek, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
As a self taught photographer, I learned a lot of what I know now from trial and error. I used to do fun shoots with friends and local models I reached out to on IG or something to just get consistent. Through that I got better at understand how to balance iso, aperture, and my shutter speed. I learned about lighting when I had my first in house photographer job as a senior in college. I used to just mess around with lighting set ups on shoots and when you’re in Atlanta, people are always looking to shoot. I account the times I was excited to have a camera in my hand, not stressed about outcome but how the act of creating made me feel.
I wouldn’t speed up my process because I feel like I learned everything at the pace I was meant to. I would say that I wish I started photography a bit earlier. For anyone that wants to learn faster or feels like they have hit a rut, I would recommend booking a shoot and just trying it out. I learn something new every shoot but the goal isn’t to learn, the goal is to “make” and then reflect on what I learned from the experience afterwards.
The skill that I think this the most essential as a photographer is knowing how to make your model comfortable and bringing out the best of them in a limited time. All photoshoots aren’t these 12 hour, 40 person team supporting the model sets. Sometimes you may have an hour and a half and you have to fit in 2 or 3 looks with someone you have never met before. Getting your photos taken, seasoned or not, puts you in a vulnerable state and as a photographer, it’s crucial to be confident and create a safe space for the model. Being able to tell the model’s preferences and then learning how to direct them in ways that can aid the overall vision in a moments time is the ultimate skill.
The only obstacle that stood in the way for me was not shooting. The more I shoot, the more I learn and grow as an image maker.
Tyreek, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am an image maker originally from New Jersey currently residing in Los Angeles. I love taking photos of people and finding ways to draw out the best out of their personalities and features. I believe I approach photography in a way that is honest, colorful, and unapologetic in it’s manor.
I got my first camera for myself for my 19th birthday but I did not formally start photography until a year later. Approaching 5 years now, I am just so grateful to be in spaces where I can capture people. I work across a few fields including editorial, fashion, and music and something I love about these fields is the story telling. To be able to tell a story in a single frame is so gratifying to me and I am so blessed to be working in this creative field.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I wish I knew more about community building earlier in my journey. I thought I just had to find models to photograph in my first few years. But now, especially living in LA, I know the power of just being in community with so many people. I have done photowalks, fellowships, gallery meetups, portfolio reviews etc.
I am not sure if this is an isolated experience but I thought photography was a “walk your own path” kind of career and maybe that came from me starting during the pandemic. But now I get to walk beside so many mentors, writers, way makers, stylists, producers, and of course, other photographers. It’s amazing what community can bring you.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I have a few ideas. In the future, amongst other things, I see a photo book, a solo show, and possibly a documentary directed by me. The other goals, we will all have to see them unfold!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tyreekvoltaire.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyreekvoltaire/
