DONT SLEEP ON US: Fashion Photographers

The fashion industry is designed with a white male point of view as the template. We don't see many people of color or women shooting magazine covers, editorials, or major fashion campaigns, especially in America. These are the things that become apart of fashion history. They can set a photographers career to financial and iconic success. There are plenty of photographers of color who create the images that build the careers of models who go on to have lucrative careers. We also create the imagery that inspires other artists without the support system of the major players and often times for very little money. On the higher levels of fashion, its as if we don't exist.... we are not in the room when big money and opportunity are on the table. People of color and women need to be in the room if you really want to see diversity and significant changes in the industry. Look at how much life Edwin Enninful and his diverse team has breathe into British Vogue.
I decided to compile a list of photographer friends who I know personally and professionally over the years who deserve to be highlighted for their amazing vision and contributions in the fashion industry. We are all working so hard to be successful in this industry and it starts by being in the room.

The fashion industry needs talented individuals like us in the room...with a seat at the table. We inspire each other to be great.


TARRICE LOVE
instagram @i_am_tarricelove
website: lovewasherelab.tumblr.com

   

ITAYSHA JORDAN

instagram @itayshaphoto
website: www.itayshajordan.com

 

GREGORY PRESCOTT
instagram @gregoryprescott
website: gregoryprescott.net

  

TYREN REDD
instagram @tyrenredd
website: www.tyrenredd.com

WILLIAM LORDS
instagram @williamlords
website: www.williamlords.com

 

PHOTOG J
instagram @the_photographer_j07
website: buy his art here

 

MAYA GUEZ
instagram @mayaguezart
website: mayaguezart.com

 

SEAN WATTERS
instagram @swatters
website: https://www.seanpwatters.com/

  

WILLIAM ELLIOT SPRINGFIELD
instagram @williamspringfield
website:  www.WilliamSpringfield.com

 

FREEDOM by Jussie Smollett

check out the new music by Jussie Smollett...

Jussie Smollett @jussiesmollett

photographed & styled by Tarrice Love - @i_am_tarricelove

hair by @johncotton3

grooming by @nilmuir

assisted by @geremyalexander

Download m4a OPENLOAD: Jussie Smollett – Freedom [iTunes] 

Download m4a PURPLINX: Jussie Smollett – Freedom [iTunes]

https://goo.gl/images/A9s84P

Jussie Smollett @jussiesmollett

photographed & styled by Tarrice Love - @i_am_tarricelove

hair by @johncotton3

grooming by @nilmuir

assisted by @geremyalexander

THE "REAL" TARRICE LOVE EXPERIENCE

When I came to NYC, I left my friends, my family, and the comforts of creating images with people who trusted my ideas and allowed me the freedom to create whatever my mind could come up with. I came to NYC to create art that inspires the next generation and change the way the world see people of color by celebrating our beauty. I also wanted to be able to make money living my dream.

There are a lot of really good photographers in NYC, so I knew I had to stand out and create images that were different from what the other photographers were doing. I had to make art they could only get from me. I wanted people who worked with me to be forced to see themselves in a different way. I wanted the people looking at my work to see and feel something different. I wanted them to appreciate craftsmanship and have respect for what I do as an artist.  I had to give them an experience they could only get from me... #therealtarriceloveexperience.

Somewhere along the line, I started limiting my creative visions and doing work I felt was safe and fitting in with what models and their agents said that needed from me. I wanted them to be happy, so I gave them what they said they wanted instead of being creative and trusting my own vision. I started creating images that look like stuff they already had and reinforcing the ideas they have of themselves. I became bored and started losing my confidence, my drive and became easily distracted by the stresses of life. Even my close friends stopped following my work...saying that it was just technically well done and pretty. I will never forget Tyra telling Robyn on the 1st season of Americas Next Top Model that "...pretty is boring."

Having a conversation with photographer Rick Day and talking about growing old and dying in front of the computer retouching boring ass shit, made me think about my life in NYC. I've  made a lot of sacrafices to be here. I made a commitment to create art that means something to me. I didn't come here to create work that is boring and forgetable. I left that conversation and came home and rearranged my workspace. I needed to feel like I was in a new environment. I got a new computer (the old one broke and is still in the shop).  I started reading all the wonderful books super agent Jason Kanner at Soul Artist Management has given me to help become re-inspired. I want to start back working with people who I trust and trust me that are ready to create images that go beyond their portfolios and content for their social media. I want to be taken out of my own comfort zone and do some epic shit.

I have made too many sacrifices to waste any more time on basic shit that makes us forgettable.