The Photographer & Poet from Houston
A note for Jade: What the f*ck is up my friend!? Man, it has been so long since we've been able to chop it up. I've missed you and I'm so glad that you reached out for this! I am proud of and how far you've come. We definitely have had some good ass times when we were youngins'. You made fun of me all of the time for being the youngest but you still let me hang with you anyway, LOL. It was a pleasure being able to feature you on my website. I want everybody I FW to know I got ya'll back. Even if we don't talk everyday. Even if it's been a few months, I want to make sure I am providing a platform that will reach the masses for all of my people! You are a beautiful soul my love and thank you again for being apart of this. Now, let's get into this!
Where are you from and where did you grow up?
I'm from Houston but I grew up in Sunnyside and on the west.
How old were you when you first took an interest in art?
I’ve liked art ever since I was kid, specifically music. It always brings me peace of mind.
What is your favorite childhood memory that involves art? It could be in the sense of photography/poetry or one of the other forms of art.
My favorite memory would probably be when my grandfather bought me a drum set when I was like 5 or 6. I set it up in my granny bedroom and I used to get on her last nerve.
What inspired you to become a photographer? Think back to that very first time you picked up a camera to capture a beautiful moment… What inspired this very moment?
I can’t exactly pinpoint what made me want to become a photographer honestly. I’ve always liked taking pictures of the sunrise or sunset. I did take a photography class in college and realized how good I was, ever since then it was up. I never picked up a camera until maybe 2016.
What drew you into poetry? Is this something that you do as a creative outlet or is it something more to you?
I got into poetry because of an assignment I had in middle school honestly. I realized how I was able to play with a pen and manipulate the words into whatever I wanted someone to see or hear. It’s honestly how I deal with my feelings, so I guess it started off as something just for me but now it’s what I’m known for outside of my camera work.
What does your creative process look like and what keeps you focused during this time?
My creative process is honestly so chaotic lol. If I think of something, I’ll write it out in my notes whether it’s one line or a whole poem. I have the attention span of a squirrel so staying focused is out of the question lmao.
What influences you to continue to do photography even when you are feeling unmotivated?
The thing that motivates me is the joy that comes from seeing ppl be so happy after seeing the photos I’ve captured of them or even other people.
When you hit creative blocks, what are some things you do to get yourself back on track and get those creative juices flowing to write and/or photograph again?
Honestly when I get writer’s block, I’ll either go smoke or go have sex if I’m fucking with someone on that level lmao. As far as photography, I’ll start watching different style videos on YouTube or I’ll just scroll on Instagram.
What are some of your favorite photos you’ve taken and a favorite poem you’ve written so far? Why are these your favorite?
My favorite poem would probably be my sex poem lol. The way I describe the vibe is unmatched. And my favorite photos would have to be the ones I’ve taken of my friends when they got engaged. It was such a pure joyous moment and just raw happiness in the room.
How would you describe your style of photography and what do you think sets you apart from other photographers?
Most photographers shoot whatever and then go focus on the details in editing. 95% of my shots go unedited because I shoot for detail in the beginning and if I don’t like what’s on my screen, I’ll keep shooting till I catch the moment I want or need.
What has been the most challenging thing your career thus far and how did you overcome that?
The most challenging thing has been losing my first camera to the pawn shop and my second one getting stolen. I’ve had to start over so many times, it was honestly so frustrating. I just had to zone in on hustling and getting my shit back.
What message are you sending through your art; writing and photography?
I don’t exactly have a message I want to send. I just wanna express myself and get my emotions out in a healthy way.
If you could sit down and talk with your favorite artist dead or alive, who would that be and why? This can be someone from any of the arts.
I’d want to sit down with Teyana Taylor honestly. Not only is she mad creative on the musical end, but her visuals and fashion go crazy. She just so dope and different.
What are you most thankful for in your life right now?
I’m honestly thankful for the support group of people I have around me. They keep grounded when I get overwhelmed and stressed out.
Do you have any other passions/hobbies? If so, what are they?
I’m actually really into music and fashion. I love discovering artists and going to fashion shows.
What is the end all goal for your life personally and professionally? What will be the catalyst in your life that will make you say, damn, I have finally made it?
Personally, I just wanna be happy and live life with no stress. Professionally, I just wanna make an impact on the culture. I wanna show that you can be yourself and people will still fuck with you for you. I’m gonna know I made it once I can do everything and more that my mama has done for me and take care of my people.
Are there any special people you’d like to recognize or give thanks to?
I wanna give a special shoutout to my team that I work with, so big big shoutout to H-Town Feels. I have to shoutout my brothers Self the Poet and Kodak for actually pushing me to perform. My last shoutout would be for my friends and family at The Local Seat who have been there since I started performing and for that being the space I can be myself in and spit.
I'm from Houston but I grew up in Sunnyside and on the west.
How old were you when you first took an interest in art?
I’ve liked art ever since I was kid, specifically music. It always brings me peace of mind.
What is your favorite childhood memory that involves art? It could be in the sense of photography/poetry or one of the other forms of art.
My favorite memory would probably be when my grandfather bought me a drum set when I was like 5 or 6. I set it up in my granny bedroom and I used to get on her last nerve.
What inspired you to become a photographer? Think back to that very first time you picked up a camera to capture a beautiful moment… What inspired this very moment?
I can’t exactly pinpoint what made me want to become a photographer honestly. I’ve always liked taking pictures of the sunrise or sunset. I did take a photography class in college and realized how good I was, ever since then it was up. I never picked up a camera until maybe 2016.
What drew you into poetry? Is this something that you do as a creative outlet or is it something more to you?
I got into poetry because of an assignment I had in middle school honestly. I realized how I was able to play with a pen and manipulate the words into whatever I wanted someone to see or hear. It’s honestly how I deal with my feelings, so I guess it started off as something just for me but now it’s what I’m known for outside of my camera work.
What does your creative process look like and what keeps you focused during this time?
My creative process is honestly so chaotic lol. If I think of something, I’ll write it out in my notes whether it’s one line or a whole poem. I have the attention span of a squirrel so staying focused is out of the question lmao.
What influences you to continue to do photography even when you are feeling unmotivated?
The thing that motivates me is the joy that comes from seeing ppl be so happy after seeing the photos I’ve captured of them or even other people.
When you hit creative blocks, what are some things you do to get yourself back on track and get those creative juices flowing to write and/or photograph again?
Honestly when I get writer’s block, I’ll either go smoke or go have sex if I’m fucking with someone on that level lmao. As far as photography, I’ll start watching different style videos on YouTube or I’ll just scroll on Instagram.
What are some of your favorite photos you’ve taken and a favorite poem you’ve written so far? Why are these your favorite?
My favorite poem would probably be my sex poem lol. The way I describe the vibe is unmatched. And my favorite photos would have to be the ones I’ve taken of my friends when they got engaged. It was such a pure joyous moment and just raw happiness in the room.
How would you describe your style of photography and what do you think sets you apart from other photographers?
Most photographers shoot whatever and then go focus on the details in editing. 95% of my shots go unedited because I shoot for detail in the beginning and if I don’t like what’s on my screen, I’ll keep shooting till I catch the moment I want or need.
What has been the most challenging thing your career thus far and how did you overcome that?
The most challenging thing has been losing my first camera to the pawn shop and my second one getting stolen. I’ve had to start over so many times, it was honestly so frustrating. I just had to zone in on hustling and getting my shit back.
What message are you sending through your art; writing and photography?
I don’t exactly have a message I want to send. I just wanna express myself and get my emotions out in a healthy way.
If you could sit down and talk with your favorite artist dead or alive, who would that be and why? This can be someone from any of the arts.
I’d want to sit down with Teyana Taylor honestly. Not only is she mad creative on the musical end, but her visuals and fashion go crazy. She just so dope and different.
What are you most thankful for in your life right now?
I’m honestly thankful for the support group of people I have around me. They keep grounded when I get overwhelmed and stressed out.
Do you have any other passions/hobbies? If so, what are they?
I’m actually really into music and fashion. I love discovering artists and going to fashion shows.
What is the end all goal for your life personally and professionally? What will be the catalyst in your life that will make you say, damn, I have finally made it?
Personally, I just wanna be happy and live life with no stress. Professionally, I just wanna make an impact on the culture. I wanna show that you can be yourself and people will still fuck with you for you. I’m gonna know I made it once I can do everything and more that my mama has done for me and take care of my people.
Are there any special people you’d like to recognize or give thanks to?
I wanna give a special shoutout to my team that I work with, so big big shoutout to H-Town Feels. I have to shoutout my brothers Self the Poet and Kodak for actually pushing me to perform. My last shoutout would be for my friends and family at The Local Seat who have been there since I started performing and for that being the space I can be myself in and spit.
