Today we’d like to introduce you to Amiri McKinnon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am from South Central Los Angeles. I discovered my passion for photography and the media arts in 9th grade and 10th grade. I took a film production class both years and I practiced directing and writing scripts for short films. I would also edit the films alongside some team members and I enjoyed every process of it. Through presenting my productions I would find joy in other people’s reactions to my art. I started t become infatuated with camera work. In between shoots, I would take pictures of my team and my high school’s campus. My friends thought that I had a good eye for photography so I started jumping at the opportunity to take pictures of people when they wanted something to post on social media. I enjoyed the smiles and the positive energy that was generated when my friends saw good photos of themselves, especially my “non-photogenic” friends. That energy drove me to discover more opportunities to practice and learn the art of photography. I took classes at the Grammy Museum in downtown Los Angeles and practiced photography and photo editing on my phone since I could not afford a camera.
Quarantine hit and ruined my senior year of high school. I became extremely introverted and quite lazy; I was very disconnected from my creative side. I was fortunate enough to receive small job opportunities towards the end of 2020.
I modeled for Hollister and my friends’ clothing brands during the fall and winter 2020 season. I was able to see how professional photographers work and it inspired me to get better at my craft.
For Christmas in 2020, my mother gifted me a new Canon Rebel T7i. It felt as if this camera allowed me to capture good moments during a difficult time. From then on, I would practice my photography skills with friends and family.
I got accepted into Morehouse in the Spring of 2020 and wasn’t allowed to move on campus until the spring of my freshman year. I took my camera with me to Atlanta and continued expressing my creativity through photography. Practicing photography became stress relieving. I would practice cityscape photography and occasionally take pictures of my close friends.
I started Thru Divine Eyes (my photography business) to display the pictures that I have taken over the years. I was also encouraged by various amounts of people that I could make a profit from my talent. During the school year, I am in Atlanta at Morehouse College. I am a Dual-Degree Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering major. Sometimes it feels very difficult to find time in my major and my academic schedule to express my creativity. Thru Divine Eyes (TDE) allows me to escape the stress and focus on enjoying time with my clients, friends, and family capturing their amazing moments and images of them looking amazing. “God creates the beauty. My camera and I are just a witness”.
I am always working hard to improve my craft. I have grown very passionate about portrait and landscape photography and I still enjoy dabbling in videography, directing, and video editing. I think the most beautiful moments are the ones people experience after they see themselves looking good on camera. It is amusing and joyful. I want everyone to look photogenic in the photos I take. I have so many ideas and I cannot wait to present them to the world using Thru Divine Eyes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being busy with the school has caused me to be inconsistent at times with posting on social media or self-advertising to expand my audience. I had to learn how to balance what I want to do with what I had to do. I’d say I am really good at managing my time so that I can be fully in the moment with my clients. I am always so grateful for people who seek interest in my art and are willing to work with me to support me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Thru Divine Eyes is my photography business. I mainly post portrait photography on my Instagram but I have opened up to doing events, video directing and editing, and brand photoshoots. During the academic school year, I am in Atlanta, GA and during the summer I am in my hometown, Los Angeles, CA. I am known for getting pictures that I have taken back to my clients within 24 hours; as well as my low prices for professional photography. I wanted TDE to appeal to college students. I wanted to be affordable and also provide an entertaining experience for clients. I am most proud of the experiences I share with my clients. I enjoy the excitement people have when we both know that we took a “fire” picture. My clients look like supermodels in my photos; you wouldn’t be able to tell that they aren’t photogenic or that they were nervous or stiff or anything.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I have many favorites. One of my favorite childhood memories was when I was in a play at the Nate Holden Theatre in Los Angeles. I played Sonny in the Amazing Grace Conservatory’s production of Grease. I had a line that made the entire audience laugh so loud. I was a youngin; had to be only 11 or 12 but I can remember the smiles and that energy like it was yesterday. In this moment of retelling this story, I realize that I strive to recreate that positive energy, that laughter, and those smiles when I take pictures and do photoshoots. It makes those experiences much more memorable and uplifting.
Pricing:
- Package 1 ($100)
- Package 2 ($150)
- Package 3: ($200)
- Headshots ($50)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrudivineeyes/
Image Credits:
Image 1: @vromicide Image 2: @officialtyy Image 3: @pt.reese Image 4: @iamkeonicarew Image 5; @magfrmla Image 6: @theylovee_madison Image 7: @jendayibrown Image 8: @thrudivineeyes
