Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaelen (Pyx) Bussey.
Hi Jaelen (Pyx), please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a Georgia-raised film photographer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. After years of moving around, I’ve called Charlotte home since 2019. Though I’m musically inclined—especially in percussion—I’ve always been drawn to different forms of art.
As a kid, my mom would skip tourist spots and take me to art museums when we traveled. That’s where I first felt a deep connection to creativity and inspired me to become the artist known as Pyx, later in my adult life.
I discovered film photography after COVID while working at Best Buy. A coworker and now close friend introduced me to it, and through him, I found the work of Detroit-based photographer Vuhlandes. He used a strange-looking camera—the Mamiya RB67—which ended up being my very first camera and the start of my journey.
Photography has taken a lot of learning and growth, and I still have a long way to go. My dream is to one day have my work—both photographs and a film I’ve written—featured in museums.
To any aspiring photographers: the best advice I’ve gotten is simple—never stop shooting. Even if it’s just one photo a day, keep going. Inspiration will come.
—PYX 🌍
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, shooting strictly film is a very, very expensive hobby. There have been times where I’d go hungry to buy a roll of film, just to get what I deem as mediocre photos…
On top of that, although a lot of people see me as an extrovert, I really lie in-between, I have a difficult time reaching out to people about ideas, so having to come out of my shell to make “THE” shot happen really is not an easy feat for me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in film photography, specifically portraits of people that I have met over time. My proudest moment was back in May of 2024, I held my first solo exhibition, there were a ton of people that showed, in the near future I would like to host another, that I actually have an idea and concept for as of now!
What sets me apart is my willingness to do whatever it takes to get a photo that I love. I spend a lot of time learning techniques that were done before me, a lot of time learning what makes people say “wow.” I’ve purposely broken lenses to get a shot that I see in my head.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a very timid child, due to me not being super confident. Over time I learned that I could be funny and it made people laugh I enjoyed being on stages with my friends performing.
I spent a lot of time in strings, and band classes, I was always super smart so I had taught myself to play most of the instruments that I played back then without knowing how to read music, all around the age of 8.
It all made me who I am today.
Thanks for reading.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://portfolio-aubapex.format.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1pyx_/
Image Credits
Row 1 in Order
@RaThaGod
@Hotboymunk
@RaThaGod
@Cyanca.Mp3
Row 2
@Brnnadvs/@donte.dec
@x0.Daria.x0
@jul0_36
@laiyoc
