We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeremiah Ivey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jeremiah , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?

Two historical figures who I look up to the most are Spike Lee and Gordon Parks.

Spike Lee is always my go-to source of creative inspiration. When I watch his films, I don’t just see a story unfolding—I feel like I’m getting to know him as a person. He puts so much of his personality and character into his work, which I really admire. What makes him stand out to me is his ability to stay true to his unique style. No matter what project he’s working on, you can always tell it’s a Spike Lee film. I respect artists like him who develop their own creative style and stick with it, no matter what.

The second person I look up to is Gordon Parks, one of the greatest African American photographers in history. What I love most about Parks is that he wasn’t just taking pictures—he was telling stories. Every photo he captured had a purpose and meaning behind it. To me he was much more than someone who just took nice photos, he was a true documentarian. That’s the kind of photographer I aspire to be. I want my photos to do more than just look cool—I want them to tell stories, spark emotions, and hopefully leave a lasting impact.

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.

Hey y’all, my name is Jeremiah Ivey, but when it comes to my work, I tend go by “J Ivey.” I’m a 23-year-old film photographer from Tulsa, Oklahoma, now based in Atlanta, Georgia. My journey to Atlanta began in August 2024 when I moved to the city to pursue my MBA at Clark Atlanta University.

When it comes to photography, I still consider myself very new to the industry, and that’s what excites me the most—I have so much to learn. Creativity has always been a driving force in my life, particularly through music. However, I didn’t pick up my first camera until just 11 months ago in May 2024. At the time, I had just graduated college and found myself in a period of uncertainty, unsure of my next steps, which left me with a lot of time. One night over dinner, I mentioned to my little sister that I had my eye on a particular film camera and that once I got this camera, I would be good to start my creative journey. By the end of the meal, she sent me the money to buy it (shoutout to Kaiden) & the rest is history.

Once I got my hands on that camera, I started photographing my friends back home, experimenting with different concepts and themes. I took it everywhere that summer and quickly fell in love with the art of photography. Since I didn’t have a dedicated space to share my work, I created my Instagram page, JIveyFlicks, on May 30, 2024. What started as a place to post casual shots of my friends has since grown into a platform where I showcase all my work in Atlanta. It has evolved into a brand of its own, and I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received along the way.

I specialize in capturing the authentic Black experience and sharing my perspective of the world how I see it. Over time, I’ve realized that what I truly enjoy photographing is people. I chose film because this medium just seemed the most authentic to me and my personality. While I initially fell in love with the look that film provides, I quickly fell in love with the process of shooting film and how it makes you slow down and be more intentional with every photo that you take. While I currently focus on portraiture, my ultimate goal is to step into the world of documentary photography. On top of photography, I also plan on venturing into the world of videography as well. Ultimately, I have truly fallen in love with the process of documenting the world around me and I am extremely appreciative that people have found an appreciation for the way in which I do this.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the freedom to express my ideas however I choose, in whatever way speaks to me. I truly believe the best artists pour themselves into their work, and I try to do the same. Being able to take the ideas in my head and turn them into something tangible—something visually compelling—is what brings me the most joy in this creative journey.

I know that many people have creative thoughts or visions that come to them from time to time, but I believe it’s the artist’s responsibility to use their talents to bring those ideas to life. That’s where the real magic happens—when a fleeting thought becomes something real you can see, feel, and share with others.

Interestingly, I’ve come to realize that sometimes the photograph itself isn’t even the most fulfilling part. It’s the connections I’ve made along the way that have left the biggest impact on me. Being able to look back at a photo and not only appreciate the image but remember the story behind it—the people I met, the conversations we had, the energy of the moment—that’s been incredibly rewarding for me.

This is a huge reason as to of why I love photographing people so much. A great photo is powerful, but a genuine connection with someone new can be just as meaningful, if not more. I’m beyond grateful for everyone I’ve crossed paths with on this journey so far. The relationships, the stories, and the shared moments have added so much depth to my work—and to me as a person.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The mission driving my creative journey is quite simple: I want to be able to one day do this full-time. Since picking up my camera, I’ve developed a deep passion for film photography and storytelling in my own unique way. Not only have I learned so much about the craft, but I’ve also discovered a lot about myself in the process. Though I’m only 11 months into this journey and still have a very long way to go before turning my dream into reality, I know that one day, I would love for photography to be my full-time career.

While I appreciate what I’m studying in university, I know that nothing excites me more than the feeling I get when I’m behind the camera—capturing moments, telling stories, and creating something that I feel like is cool. I truly believe that if I continue on this path, this dream will become tangible in the years to come.

Beyond being able to one day shoot full-time, another goal of mine is to open a photography studio in my hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, specifically in the Black Wall Street district. I know firsthand the level of creative talent that exists in my city, but I also recognize that many young artists lack access to the resources they need to bring their visions to life. I want to create a space where the community can come together, collaborate, and harness the creativity that already exists within them.

In addition to these long-term goals, I’m constantly striving to improve and evolve as an artist. I want to create work that is timeless—photos that stand the test of time and continue to tell stories long after I’m gone. More than anything, I want my art to leave a legacy, a visual representation of my life, my perspective, and the people I’ve encountered along the way.

These goals are what fuel me every day, pushing me to keep creating, learning, and growing as a photographer.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jiveyflicks

Image Credits
All photos taken by J. Ivey (jiveyflicks). People Photographed: Cam Ivery (tht.cam) Shayla Brown (average.shay) Jacyn Hurt (jacynhurt) Jayla Shannell (badlikejay) Kendall Mcghee Unique Robinson @itsfatswag