We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tonya Caver. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tonya below.
Alright, Tonya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?
My hero is my Father, Gerald Caver. He is the most hard working individual that I know. My dad always set the example for myself and seven younger siblings to aspire for more. He was never complacent and that principle trickled down the line. Because of him I am hungry and persistent. I don’t believe in closed doors. I instead believe in finding the keys to unlock those doors. My dad always preached, “You control your own narrative. Your name means everything. No one can take that’s away from you.” This was my reasoning in naming the business after the family name. I’m reminded every day to strive for greatness because our name is attached.
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.
My name is Tonya and I am a black queer female photographer born in Washington, DC. I am self-taught and passionate about my craft. I started out in this business with the help of my wife encouraging me to purchase my first camera. She saw something in me that I didn’t even know was there. I’m so glad I listened and took that leap of faith. My wife is an essential part of our business. She provides creative direction, posing tips and assists with set design.
We provide services to clients in the DMV/Baltimore, MD area. Our services include event photography, indoor/outdoor photography, headshot photography and more! I believe the thing that sets us apart is our attention to customer satisfaction. Taking photos is stressful for most and we get that. We try to make each experience a memorable one.
As a self-taught photographer I am most proud of the spaces I’ve been able to attend and the people I’ve been able to photograph over the last year. I have had the pleasure of photography V.P. Kamala Harris, Joe Jonas, Key Glock and Janelle Monáe to name a few. This has been an awesome ride and I can not wait to see where I go next!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Seeing that I have never spent a cent on advertisements, I’d have to say my work speaks for itself. Consistency has been the driver for the business. Word of mouth has gotten us this far. Our reputation has thrived because we produce not only quality works but quality experiences as well.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
A quality resource that I wish I knew about earlier in my creative journey is an amazing organization called “Black Women Photographers”. This is a resource filled with endless talent and peer mentorship. It was founded by Polly Irungu who is a phenomenal photographer and humanitarian. I learned more in the last six months than I have in the previous 2 years. I highly recommend it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://caverimaging.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/caver_imaging?igshid=ZWQyN2ExYTkwZQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063528752524&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Rex D. (@Ragsandpiecesmag) – Cover Photo Brandi Caver Dekeda Johnson Devin Shacklett Elijah Connolly Janelle Monáe Cast of Noah’s Arc DJ Richie Skye