We were lucky to catch up with Travis Byerly recently and have shared our conversation below.

Travis, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

The story of how I got into my career isn’t a very unique one. It’s becoming more and more common to hear about people who earn degrees in a specific field, only to pursue a career in something completely different after they graduate. I’ve been a photographer all my life and knew from a young age that I had a passion for taking photos, but I really lacked the encouragement and knowledge to turn it into a career. My parents and teachers nudged me toward business school, so, naively, I trusted that the system would provide the same return it did for them.

If I could change one thing about the education system, it would be to open up different avenues for students to pursue and to educate them on how to do so. During my high school experience, I was never encouraged to pursue art as a serious career, even though in today’s world, it has become a much more realistic option.

The ROI from college is not the same as it was for our parents and grandparents, especially if you don’t qualify for scholarships or grants. If schools and parents, through no fault of their own, weren’t so disillusioned by the promise of a college degree, we could introduce more artistic and trade options to kids, giving them more choices in life. Students could discover passions they might not have found otherwise, and to me, the biggest markers for success and happiness are how passionate you are about what you do.

Travis, 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?

My name is Travis Byerly, and I am a photographer. I got into photography at a young age, often sneaking my mom’s old camera to take pictures of anything and everything. During high school, I had a group of friends who were really into graffiti. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, graffiti was everywhere, and chances are, you probably knew someone who did it. Because of that, I was exposed to so many unique, hidden areas of Oakland, San Francisco, and other surrounding cities that were overflowing with amazing works of art that we called “pieces.” Photographing graffiti that very few people got to see, juxtaposed against different natural and urban environments, was incredibly exciting to me. I eventually grew a small following in the graffiti community, which led to some of my first paid shoots, capturing specific pieces and murals in Oakland.

After graduating high school, I attended Azusa Pacific University for business management but kept photography as a hobby on the side. In college, I spent most of my free time—and a lot of missed classes—exploring the city with friends and shooting as much as I could. I occasionally picked up clients here and there but didn’t fully commit to photography, thinking it would remain a side passion while I focused on securing a “real” job after graduation.

After graduating in 2018, I went through a rough patch, working odd jobs and applying to anything that would make use of my degree. It took about six months, but I eventually landed a job as a social media manager for a fitness brand. Through that job, I was fortunate enough to expand my portfolio and explore product and lifestyle photography—areas in which I had no prior experience. However, I was laid off during the pandemic. With the help of unemployment checks, I decided to go all in on photography. I set up a studio in my house and focused on shooting as much as I could.

In February 2021, my roommate called me to say the photographer at the company he worked for had just quit, and they needed to fill the position ASAP. I didn’t know much about the company, other than they made clothes for music artists, but I knew I had to jump at the opportunity. They agreed to give me a test shoot as a trial run, so I called up a few friends who had modeled for me in college, did the shoot, and the company hired me as their in-house photographer shortly thereafter.

For my first official shoot with Top Drawer Merch, I hired a woman I had met earlier that year on a different photo job to model for me. During that shoot, she mentioned that she was leaving her position as a photographer at a marketing agency owned by her friends. She asked if I was interested in the job and offered to get me an interview. Although I had some experience with marketing photography from my previous social media job, I didn’t think I was the best fit. But I did the interview, and they decided to take a chance on me, even though I didn’t have the most experience.

I often tell people that I got extremely lucky to have the jobs and career I do, but I know that luck would be meaningless without my passion and commitment to what I love. I was able to capitalize on the opportunities presented to me.

What sets me apart in this industry is not being confined to one niche. Although I now specialize in product and marketing photography, I’ve been able to provide quality images in a range of fields and niches throughout my career. The worst advice I ever received was to “stay in your lane” and “find your niche and exploit it.” While that may be a great strategy for some, this field offers so many opportunities if you can dedicate yourself to learning and adapting. Some of the most fun and educational experiences I’ve had in photography came from saying yes to jobs I’d never done before.

The projects I’m most proud of are those that push me out of my comfort zone. I love being challenged and finding unique ways to shoot while still providing exactly what clients need. The first time I ever did set photography for a music video, I was so nervous. I was out of my element, not having control of lighting, subjects, or even where I could stand on set. I had to remind myself that not having control is where true creativity emerges—it’s in those moments of uncertainty that you discover new perspectives and possibilities. Adapting to those situations and still creating something that stands out reminds me why I love what I do. There’s no better feeling than putting my talents to use to make an impact in others’ lives.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

My relationship with social media is complicated. In my early days as a photographer, I gained a small following on Instagram within the Bay Area graffiti community. It was such a small and niche community that there weren’t many people doing what I was doing. This led to really loyal followers and good engagement, but it was too niche to make any significant money.

When I moved to LA, I wanted to start fresh with social media. I created a new Instagram account but didn’t take it too seriously. I posted what I wanted, when I wanted, but I never used it as my main marketing tool. I was fortunate to build a reputation as a photographer through word of mouth and the people I met. I think my career is a great testament to not solely leaning on social media to reach clients. The old-school marketing strategy of word of mouth can work, too. I try to meet people everywhere I go and tell them about what I do because, even if they don’t need a photographer, odds are they probably know someone who does.

That being said, I also believe social media is an invaluable marketing tool. Despite the little effort I put into it, I’ve still received many leads and clients through organic social media traffic. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are integral parts of most people’s lives now, and the possibilities through those platforms are endless.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the flexibility in my everyday life. Don’t get me wrong—I don’t take weeks off at a time or go on extravagant vacations every other month, but the day-to-day rhythm of my life is largely under my control. I’m not tied down to a traditional 9-to-5, which gives me the opportunity to prioritize what truly matters. Whether it’s catching a sunrise to watch the early morning surfers, taking a midday break to recharge, or spending quality time with the people I care about, I have the freedom to structure my life in a way that really brings me happiness. I can explore new creative projects or dive deep into my work without the constraints of a rigid schedule. The balance between work and personal life feels more fluid, which makes it easier to find fulfillment in both. For me, this independence is one of the greatest perks of being an artist—it’s not just about getting to take photos for a living, but also about creating a life that brings me joy and satisfaction.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bavistry.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bavistry
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisbyerly/

Image Credits

All images by me.