We were lucky to catch up with Anateya Cranson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Teya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

10 years ago,I attended a wedding with a friend.Being at an “eligible” age for marriage, we began discussing why people get married, what makes a marriage last or end, and if is there a “one”. I really started to wonder.

I was working at a coffee shop at the time, so I began to ask my customers these questions. I was immediately struck by the level of vulnerability and candor that came from the people I asked. After a few weeks, I called my friend andtold her about my experience asking strangers these questions. I said, “Hey, what if we made asking these questions into a film?” and she immediately said, “I was thinking the same thing!”

That phone call started a 7 year journey into learning not only what it takes to make a full length documentary but also what it takes to begin understanding the complexity of interpersonal relationships . Our docu-series, Where We Belong, is the result of our blood, sweat, tears, and LONG hours spent driving all over the country to interview authors, psychologists, and people we met on the way, seeking to understand what makes a relationship work. In the end, however, I learned that I was asking the wrong question. It’s not about what makes a relationship work, it’s about how understanding your own story makes your relationships with others much stronger.

I was deeply changed by this project. The discoveries we made about relationships and the human heart were nothing like what we were expecting. The experience making this film taught me about the real meaning of friendship, the grit of perseverance, and the importance of self-discovery. I am so grateful to those who shared their stories with me and encouraged me to venture into the deep parts of myself, exploring my own story and my own vulnerabilities. You can find these incredible stories from Where We Belong on Amazon.

Teya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I fell in love with stories as a little girl. I started making goofy short films with my brothers and doing photoshoots with my friends in my teens. After high school, I attended a film program at the University of the Nations, assuming I would hone in on this passion of mine before I got a “real job”.

Now, years later, I feel ridiculously fortunate – and amazed – that following my passion for storytelling has led me to this career.

I have spent the last 10 years pursuing this passion, including traveling the world making a docu-series about love, marriage, and the human heart, as well as running my own business. I’ve had the pleasure of shooting everything from elopements to legacy keepsakes to music videos. Whether I am shooting stills or video, finding the story, seeing the light in and around people and capturing it is my favorite thing!

People’s stories matter to me, and helping them feel seen, heard, and celebrated is my goal. I want people to feel beautiful, loved, and appreciated through my art.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My art is driven by the beauty and resilience of humanity and nature. I have a passion for sharing the joys and the trials that make us a united humankind. I want people to know that their story matters, and I want to give them the opportunity to have their stories captured as they are, in all of their glory and in all of their messiness. Creativity, storytelling, and play are healing, and I want to share that with people.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I’ll answer this question with a story. Recently, I was doing headshots for a women’s retreat. There were 7 women in the group, and the photoshoot was the last event on the list of 4 days of activities. As everyone was getting ready, I could sense their nervous anticipation, trying to be prepared and look their best. Many of the women had told me prior that this would be the first time they were having professional photos taken, and that they often got so nervous in front of even a phone camera. As the collective anxiety of the group rose, so did mine.The feelings of imposter syndrome started to arise: “Was I the professional they were talking about? Am I responsible for making these women feelbeautiful and comfortable in front of the camera and giving them their first ’professional’ experience? Can I really do all of that? Am I good enough? ” All of these thoughts and worries came flooding into my head, but I had to set them aside when it was time to begin.

My first photo subject was an older woman. You could tell she wasn’t the type to get all gussied up or to pay extra attention to her appearance on a day-to-day basis. As she walked into the room, her apprehension was palpable, and so was mine. I asked her to stand by the window to get the best light. I took a few hesitant photos. Both of us were sweating. I couldn’t understand why I was so nervous, I had been in this business for over 10 years, for goodness sake! As I looked down to adjust my camera settings, I took a deep breath and heard a still, small voice say, “Just look at her, not the light, not the settings. Look at her.” As I rose my eyes from my camera, I looked into her eyes. And there, she was so full of story, of pain and joy, of deep scars and wisdom. I could see that she had loved hard and fought for every smile line and wrinkle of her face, she was full of such beauty.As I looked at her I began to feel tears rise. “My God, you are stunning,” I said, and she could tell I meant it. I took a photo. “Wow,” I said, “So beautiful.”

As I took the photos, I was letting her and her story guide me. She began to cry. Her face lit up. So bright and brilliant. She was letting herself be seen. We stood there by the window together, both crying as I took her photos. We let each other witness one other, and I remember thinking, “Damn, I am so grateful that this is my job, that I have access to witness people’s stories and beauty.”

I was forever impacted by that shoot, and I was reminded how precious each story really is and what a privilege it is to be a witness to them. I feel honored to do what I do; to capture remarkable stories of remarkable people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teyarosemedia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teyarosemedia/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070380166543
• Other: https://vimeo.com/user10229546

Image Credits
Paul Dedewo