The "Creatographer"

The “Creatographer.” A mix of the words creative and photographer, Tyree was looking for an adjective to describe him as he saw himself, something beyond a photographer. He was a creator. This self taught photographer, videographer, director, and content creator is taking the internet by storm one idea at a time. He provides his services to clients looking to create memories and capture moments for a lifetime. Surprisingly, his journey started nearly eight years ago when he was given a camera as a gift. After six years of collecting dust, he finally started using it.

Born and raised in one of the roughest projects in Chicago, as the youngest of three boys, Tyree always had to fight for his “seat at the table.” Now, as a Black male creative in America he fights for his place in photography’s future. He recalls his struggles growing up in Chicago and how dark his teen years were for him. Narrowly escaping gangs, drugs, and an abusive home, Tyree was no stranger to the creative side of himself. “Being able to create and bring something to life and have it valued by others really drove me to be better than my environment.” Tyree uses his past as fuel to fire up his inspiration during his creative photography. His hope is to bring beauty to a dark world. He also uses his passion of storytelling to retell Biblical stories and bring our favorite characters to life. He taps into his own experiences to capture the messages of his heart, brought to life by the essence of his models.

“Photography is something anyone can do, but in order to do it well you have to know the equation for it.” Tyree has mentors he teaches, with the youngest being seven years old. He has a way of breaking down the complex techniques of posing models, directing the shoot, getting the right shot, and editing the photos. It’s more like a production, as Tyree is involved in the process from choosing the location to sometimes hand delivering printed photos. Tyree focuses on the balance one must have when looking through the lens. He is available for personal and fashion photoshoots, commercial branding, product photography, and lifestyle photography. His way of editing photos makes a client’s imperfections melt away, and their confidence and style remain.

Mastering videography is a more recent venture that Tyree naturally excels at. After working hard and sacrificing for new equipment he was ready to explore the videography world. After working with just his second client, a celebrity choreographer who’s worked with Nikki Minaj and Jennifer Lopez, Tyree was sought out for videos for clients all over Illinois. His clients have concepts that challenge his creativity and videography skills, but like in life, he hasn’t met a challenge he can’t overcome. His videos have reached thousands of viewers, and no matter the person or platform shared they always come to his social media pages to fall in love with more of his work. As a former dancer, he really has an eye for formations, dancer style and movement that he captures on camera in a way that looks natural and effortless.

I am very inspired by Tyree, not only because he’s living his dream of leaving corporate America and working as an entrepreneur, but also using his platform to promote his message and passion as far as he can. He wants others to be proud of their heritage and to be the best versions of themselves. This is shown through his version of the Powerpuff girls, affectionately renamed the Afro-Puff girls, his depiction of Black Adam and Eve and Black Jesus and his disciples. He also inspires me by his commitment to going outside of his comfort zone to help others. He is naturally an introvert and is shy and conserved around other people, but when he’s filming or shooting, he lights up a room! He makes everyone involved with the shoot feel at ease, and comfortable even at the expense of his own comfort. I am very proud of Tyree’s growth as a person and as a photographer over the past two years. His future's so bright. He has goals to travel across the country creating art to be marveled for years to come.