We were lucky to catch up with Tyree Cheatham recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tyree, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Well, creating is a natural gift we all have. How we find our creative outlet is a part of the journey. They say we can’t be a jack of all trades but isn’t how we develop as creators? We go through trial and errors to understand where it all began.From photography, event decor, set design, fashion design, and prop design, I invite you all to Haus Of Foto Art & Apparel.
I am currently re-constructing my home site for “HOF” to reflect upcoming projects and my fall/winter fashion collection and fashion show!! So be on the look out!! In the mean time to see where it all began, check out ivistofoto.com to learn a smidge more about me and the creative process.
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?
It all started while I was young growing up. I’d create and build small projects with my uncle. I enjoyed putting things together just as much as tearing them a part.
Years ago watching “America’s Next Top Model” is when I realized that I could capture all I could create in a single image. Having the ability to create stories and having control over the narrative. From there I purchased my first camera, used my friends for my first models, and the rest is history.
I attended Delaware Technical Community College on a scholarship right after high school in 2008. I studied Computer Aided Design, then changed my career path to Visual Art Communications. Year 2010 is when my journey at the Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham began (a long way from home) to continue my narrative and graduate with a Bachelors of Fine Art in 2013.
Through the years I’ve been able to work with amazing creatives from models, hair stylist, designers, makeup artist, fashion stylist, runway coaches, musicians, photographers, videographers, celebrities, and the list goes on.Photography has presented me many opportunities to showcase as a featured artist for art galleries in Washington DC, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, as well as editorial magazines.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
The initial investment was me finding my voice. From there, my family, friends, and working an everyday job to continue growing my education and shaping my craft is how I funded my business. Being an artist is a constant investment. Funding isn’t just monetary. I’ve spent plenty of nights on YouTube and Pinterest to learn, plan, conceptualize. Another tip is to invest in a mentor. Upon moving to Atlanta, I was presented the opportunity to intern with celebrity visionary Derek Blanks for a year. An amazing artist, I’m glad I was able to grasp some hidden gems while being a part of his team! My point is that you are your biggest investment to starting your business. Knowledge is power.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Unfortunately, I was victim to a social media hacking scandal. Therefore I am rebuilding and rebranding.
However, I will say being in the right places at the right time helped me create my social media presence that consisted of creating captivating art with trusting artist, working behind the scenes and photographing fashion shows and events, designing apparel and DIY (do it yourself) projects, and staying on top of fashion trends while creating my own!
Contact Info:
- Website: IVISTOFOTO.com
- Instagram: @HAUSOFFOTO
- Linkedin: Tyree Thomas Cheatham
- Youtube: HAUSOFFOTOTV
- Other: IG: @IVISTOFOTO
Image Credits
@HAUSOFFOTO @IVISTOFOTO