THE CREATIVE
MY NAME IS TEVELLE “VELL” TAYLOR — A NEW YORK–BASED PHOTOGRAPHER AND CREATIVE STORYTELLER. MY WORK LIVES WHERE EMOTION MEETS CULTURE — MOMENTS THAT FEEL AUTHENTIC, CINEMATIC, AND DEEPLY HUMAN. I’M DRAWN TO CAPTURING FACES, FASHION, AND STORIES THAT REFLECT REAL ENERGY—THE KIND THAT LINGERS LONG AFTER THE IMAGE IS GONE.
MY APPROACH IS ROOTED IN CONNECTION. WHETHER I’M DIRECTING A CAMPAIGN OR DOCUMENTING A FLEETING SECOND ON THE STREET, I AIM TO MAKE EVERY FRAME FEEL FAMILIAR YET POWERFUL. SOMETHING THAT LIVES BEYOND AESTHETICS AND TELLS A STORY THAT MATTERS.
I’VE COLLABORATED WITH BRANDS LIKE TOYOTA, CREATING VISUALS THAT MERGE STORYTELLING WITH LIFESTYLE AND DESIGN. MY LENS HAS ALSO CAPTURED A RANGE OF NOTABLE ARTISTS AND ATHLETES — INCLUDING KALIII, LIL MAMA, MEEK MILL, FRIDAYY, OFFSET, FAT JOE, BRENT FAIYAZ, CAM THOMAS, DEXTER LAWRENCE, AND OTHERS — TRANSLATING THEIR PRESENCE INTO TIMELESS IMAGERY.
THE WORK
FROM COMMERCIAL CAMPAIGNS TO PERSONAL PROJECTS LIKE FACES AND DROPOUT, MY WORK CONTINUES TO EXPLORE HOW IDENTITY, CREATIVITY, AND CULTURE INTERSECT. PHOTOGRAPHY, TO ME, ISN’T JUST ABOUT TAKING PICTURES — IT’S ABOUT BUILDING WORLDS, ONE FRAME AT A TIME.
THE GOAL
GROWING UP, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE GOOD MONEY WAS BY WORKING IN A CORPORATE JOB OR INVESTING. I DIDN’T SEE PEOPLE WHO LOOKED LIKE ME TURNING CREATIVE PASSIONS INTO SUSTAINABLE CAREERS. TAKING PHOTOS, DRAWING, OR DOING ANYTHING CONSIDERED A “HOBBY” DIDN’T SEEM LIKE A REAL OPTION. THAT MINDSET CAME FROM WHAT I SAW AROUND ME — NOT FROM A LACK OF TALENT OR AMBITION, BUT FROM A LACK OF EXAMPLES.
NOW THAT I’VE STEPPED INTO MY CRAFT AND SEEN WHAT I’M CAPABLE OF ACCOMPLISHING, I FEEL MORE MOTIVATED THAN EVER TO CREATE. MY GOAL IS TO LIVE COMFORTABLY DOING WHAT I LOVE AND TO PROVE THAT CREATIVITY CAN BE MORE THAN JUST A SIDE HUSTLE. I WANT TO BREAK THE NORM AND SHOW THAT IT’S POSSIBLE TO BUILD MULTIPLE CREATIVE BUSINESSES, CHALLENGE EXPECTATIONS, AND LIVE A LIFE ROOTED IN FREEDOM, ORIGINALITY, AND OWNERSHIP.
IF I CAN DO THAT AND OPEN THE DOOR FOR OTHERS TO SEE IT’S POSSIBLE TOO, THAT’S THE REAL WIN.