We recently connected with Zadarius Macklin and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Zadarius thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?
My path on becoming a photographer was something that started before I even realized it was a skill. Growing up in Jackson,Mississippi, I was heavily involved in church. At an early age, the 1st Lady of my family’s church began to teach me how to record the Sunday services. In the beginning, I was only intrigued by it because I was seeing the older kids do it before me. I always thought of it as a special privilege to be allowed to record the services. Once I started, the 1st Lady saw that I was really interested in being behind the camera. I remember vividly of her taking me to the PBC broadcasting station on some weekends. Thinking back on it, I was always excited on the weekends to go, knowing that I would be at a real broadcasting station learning how to operate their cameras even though back then I didn’t really know what I was doing and the importance of media at the time! I was able to learn about videography and the importance of lighting when producing. Every weekend I would learn something new about videography/photography and the dedication it takes to be behind the camera. Those weekends, I cherished and it felt like those skills and memories never left me.
When I began middle school, is when I started to focus more on sports and extracurricular activities. When I made it into high school, I was a captain on the football team, in the Student Association, featured in the 2015 Portico’s Magazine “Top 20 Students Who Will Change The World” , named “Mr. Senior” as well as winning the Grand Prize at the Essence Festival in the #YesWeCode Hackathon in 2015.Being behind the camera was then a distant thought that, at first, I thought I never would really look back at.
After graduating high school, I enrolled into Mississippi State University and began to study Public Relations Communications. At the beginning of my Sophomore year, I already was holding multiple leadership roles in organizations as well as being involved with mentoring the youth in the local community around campus. Even though I was heavily involved with multiple organizations I felt like I was missing something. I had a talk with my counselor at the beginning of the semester to determine my upcoming classes and a photography class was available and could be used as one of my core credits. I immediately thought,”This should be easy! I have done this before!”I was terribly wrong. It was like a baby taking his first steps all over again. I had to relearn how to take pictures because the way media was evolving during the time, was much different than when I first learned over 13 plus years prior. Even then, my professor saw something in me. He knew that I had a eye for distinctive photos as he said that to me when I turned in my first assignment. “You have great potential!” ,he said, ‘Have you ever done anything with a camera before?” I let him know that was a long time ago, but he knew I had a eye for the craft. He asked if I would take this more serious, but at that time I was more focused on other endeavors as a young 19-year old college student and just wanting to obtain my degree being that I would be the first in my family graduating from a 4-year university. I loved the class so much though that I kept on taking at least one photography or videography class each semester until I graduated in 2020. I even received a internship at a local radio station in The Golden Triangle learning more abut the radio/broadcasting industry.Having to relearn something was unusual but I then realized that retaining these skills while also having my degree would be more beneficial in the future.
Graduating during covid, was one of the most critical changes I have ever experienced in modern times. I had to think about family first as I was the only child to a single mother with two elderly grandparents. Especially when most major companies closed during the process. I had lost my internship, and I was out of college, going back to my hometown was really my only option.Thinking back to those history classes all through grade school, when hearing about the Industrial Revolution, this was something definitely not as similar but had similar effects that I was seeing in real time. It was a time not only where we lost a lot meaningful family and friends, but also a time where we saw technology advance and how we receive information and goods as well. A lot of self starter companies started during covid, and me sitting with a Public Relations Degree in the middle of a city in Mississippi where not a lot of companies see the benefits of having someone specifically in pubic relations when they already may have a marketing manager or etc., I had to think of other ways to empower myself and make me different than most when they see my name on a resume.
So in 2022, I came to a conclusion that I have an actual skill that I actually enjoy that can not only open other doors for me along the way, but also provide me with another source of income. I made a dream a reality by actually making Artizan Photography Group an official photography and videography business.
I always thought of my own clothing line with something that would have the first letter of my first name in it because I always thought it was unique. Comically, I did the same with my actual business while also giving it a artistic feel. Being that I already knew how to start a business through taking some business and marketing classes in college, I knew how to make a website and effectively promote a business, the only thing I was needing was a product or service. The funny thing is I never looked at this as a service because I really just enjoy capturing the moment that most people do not get to see unless it is captured and shared. I just never thought about the sharing side of things until the way technology and media has evolved where sharing your ideas, products, and services is now something that can grow your audience much quicker than times past. I am just grateful and glad that I was able to come back to something that I’ve always naturally enjoyed since I was a kid! Being heavily involved in other things will sometimes distract you from your goal or planned destinations, but God will always put you back on his intended path.
Zadarius, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Zadarius Macklin, and I’m a 27-year-old freelance photographer and videographer from Jackson, Mississippi. I’m the founder and creative mind behind Artizan Photography Group, where I specialize in event photography, brand photography, wedding photography, sports photography, agriculture and nature photography, as well as videography and professional video editing.
My journey into photography began with a simple curiosity about how moments could be frozen in time — not just seen, but felt long after they pass. Growing up in Mississippi, I was surrounded by vibrant southern culture, raw natural beauty, and people with stories worth telling. That’s where I found my passion — using my camera as a bridge between everyday life and timeless art.
Over time, I honed my craft through hands-on experience, working with a wide range of clients — from individuals looking to capture milestone events to businesses wanting to elevate their visual presence through compelling imagery and storytelling. My work allows me to solve a simple but powerful problem for my clients: helping them tell their story in a way that feels authentic, captivating, and true to who they are. Whether it’s the joy of a wedding day, the intensity of a sports game, or the pride behind a brand, I aim to bring those emotions to life through my lens.
What truly sets me apart is my natural, southern eye for the art of photography — a perspective shaped by my roots, my environment, and my appreciation for real, unfiltered beauty. I combine that with genuine southern hospitality, ensuring that every client feels comfortable, respected, and valued throughout the creative process. For me, it’s not just about taking great photos — it’s about building relationships and creating an experience that feels personal and memorable.
I’m most proud of how far I’ve come as a self-taught creative and how I’ve been able to turn my passion into a business that serves people in meaningful ways. Every project I take on is a chance to grow and to make a lasting impact, whether that’s through an image that inspires someone or a video that brings a vision to life.
Ultimately, what I want people to know about me and Artizan Photography Group is that I’m more than just a photography service — I’m a storyteller. Every shoot is approached with creativity, care, and a commitment to excellence. I want my clients and followers to feel the authenticity behind each shot, to sense the emotion in every frame, and to trust that their story is in good hands.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Absolutely. My creative journey is deeply rooted in inspiring the youth of the South, especially here in Mississippi. Growing up, I noticed that the success stories most young people saw from our communities came from sports or music. And while those paths are great, I want to show that they’re not the only ones.
I want kids from my hometown — and all across the South — to see that creativity can take you just as far as any other dream. I want them to know that it’s not about where you come from, but how you evolve and adapt to your situation. Life may throw challenges at you, but those same challenges can be the very things that shape your purpose.
I also want to teach that you can be whatever you want to be if you put your mind to it, believe in yourself, and surround yourself with people who encourage growth and positivity. Having the right circle and the right mindset makes all the difference.
Most importantly, I want to remind young people that just because your interests might not be the most popular right now, doesn’t mean they’re not worth pursuing. If something speaks to your heart — whether that’s photography, technology, art, or something completely unique — you owe it to yourself to see where it can take you.
At the end of the day, my mission is about more than photography — it’s about representation, inspiration, and elevation. I want to be living proof that no matter where you start, you can create something powerful, meaningful, and lasting. Mississippi has so much untapped talent, and if my story can help spark just one person’s belief in themselves, then I know I’m walking in my purpose.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is seeing the impact my work has on others — especially when people from my community see someone who looks like them, comes from where they come from, doing something different and making a name for himself through art. That feeling never gets old.
Every time I pick up my camera, I’m not just capturing a moment — I’m capturing emotion, energy, and a story that someone will hold onto forever. Knowing that my work can make people feel something — joy, pride, nostalgia, inspiration — that’s powerful to me. It reminds me why I started and keeps me grounded in my purpose.
But beyond the art itself, what really fulfills me is being able to inspire others through my journey. Coming from Mississippi, I understand what it’s like to grow up in a place where opportunities can feel limited and creativity isn’t always seen as a “real path.” So when someone tells me they picked up a camera because they saw what I was doing, or that my story made them believe they could chase their own dreams — that’s the real reward.
Being a creative gives me the freedom to express who I am and to show the world the beauty I see through my southern lens. It’s taught me patience, faith, and the importance of evolving with every challenge. Every shoot, every video, every edit is another chance to learn, to grow, and to create something meaningful.
At the end of the day, what’s most rewarding is knowing that I’m using my gift for something bigger than myself — to inspire, to uplift, and to remind others that no dream is too far out of reach, no matter where you start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artizanphotographygroup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artizanphotographygroup/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artizan-photography-group/about/
- Twitter: https://x.com/APGPhotography_
Image Credits
Zadarius Macklin