Today we’d like to introduce you to Bray Stevenson. Them and their team share their story with us below:
February 22, 1988, is when it all started around 2:50 p.m. on a Tuesday evening in Tifton, Georgia, the world was blessed with Bray Stevenson, commonly known as Lil’ Ben back then and now “The Man Behind The Camera.” As a child, Bray grew up in very religious Christian-based home with his grandparents, Benjamin and Rosemary Stevenson. His grandfather was a pastor, so Bray was in church at least 3-4 times a week with his grandparents. During those days, Bray became fascinated with the drums, keyboard, and guitar. Bray began to pick up the instruments in church and eventually learned how to play all three instruments. However, his main instrument is the piano, which is where he picked up the name Bray’toven from his favorite producer Zay’toven. After graduating high school Bray chose to go Darton College to pursue a music degree however he didn’t finish. He ended up going to Atlanta, Georgia to take audio production at the Art Institure of Atlanta. During his short time there, he got to see a lot of producers of the Atlanta metro area, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, he once again had to leave school and return back to Tifton, Georgia. During that time back in Tifton, it was difficult for Bray because he felt like he let his family down by returning back home. However, in the summer of 2008, his mom invited him to go on family vacation with them to New York City. That’s when life changed for Bray. While being in New York he got to see a lot of film sets, music video sets, tv show sets, just a city full of dreams, seem like it was an instant reality. So once the vacation was over and Bray returned back to Tifton, he made up his mind that he was about to move again. He decided to move to Fort Lauderdale with his mom to enroll back into school at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale to major in video production. Bray definitely has to give credit to his Uncle Bentley Stevenson, if it wasn’t for his uncle, he wouldn’t even have the interest in film or music or even knew about the Art Institute. The first year of school was tough for Bray, but as time went on, he started to get hang of it and met some lifetime friends in college that are doing extremely well in the film industry. Bray received his degree in December of 2010. His first job was back in Tifton, at Plant Telecommunications. He got hired in January of 2011 soon as he graduated from school. Plant was in the beginning stages of starting their own local t.v. station, so Bray came in at the right time. Bray learned so much from being at Plant during those early years. He started filming all the local community events, local talk shows, even some national recognized tv shows. His Plant career ended in 2018 when he moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He landed a job with Encompass Digital Media (CBS HUB) where he got a chance to meet Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless. Also, while being in Atlanta, Bray got a chance to meet his favorite producer Zaytoven on a few occasions, he even got a chance to let Zaytoven hear some of his music and one thing Zay told Bray will always remember is that he gone make it and Bray reminded him of himself. As of now, Bray is working on a ton of projects from music videos, short films, photography, he also recently launched a new platform for artists called, Studio12 that has really created a buzz around the South Georgia area. He is the Director of Photography for the television show Go Girls Rock hosted by Tomika Jackson, which airs on the CBS network. He considers it a blessing to work with such a wonderful person consistently that continues to give him opportunities to share a platform with. He also recently was named Director of Videography for the HBCU Allstars, a company started by Travis Williams. The HBCU Allstar is played during the Final Four Weekend, last year was the first-ever HBCU Allstar game held during the NCAA Final Four in New Orleans, Bray had the opportunity to be a part of history while getting the opportunity to meet Magic Johnson and Jamie Fox. He is also very grateful to work with his longtime friend Reginald Kinchen. Reginald and Bray have produced several fitness productions over the past 5-6 years. Reggie recently launched an online fitness course Sculpt 30 which Bray is currently producing monthly. Bray feels like it’s only the beginning and from this point on everything he does, he knows his late grandfather, Ben Stevenson, got his arm wrapped around him and the world will know the name Bray Stevenson. Last but not least, Bray definitely wants to thank my mother, Gaye Stevenson, and father, David White, without them, there would be no Bray. He considers them his best friends in the world, and he really wants to make them proud. Bray currently has two sons Braylen & Jrue that he loves dearly and will give the world too. He is grateful for them tremendously. He loves all his brothers and sisters, Josh, Brock, Qwan, Brie, Brooke, Brenna, Breanna, and Miesha. He is also very proud of each and every one of them. He lives by the words his late great-grandmother Kathryn Young use to say, if it’s the Lords will, it will happen.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, there’s been plenty of times he’s tried different things that weren’t his passion, but they never worked. My biggest obstacle was losing my great-grandmother Kathryn Young and grandfather Ben Stevenson.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a videographer/photographer and musician. I specialize in videography and music. Most people call me ManBehindTheCamera or Bray’toven. I’ve done a lot of things over the years and I’m proud and grateful for all of them. However, it’s one in particular that sticks out. I was recently a part of history with the first-ever HBCU All-Star game, held in New Orleans during the NCAA Final Four Weekend. I got a chance to meet Magic Johnson and Jamie Fox. One other really special moment was meeting my favorite producer Zaytoven back In February of 2018. I got an opportunity to attend one of his producer camps at Patchwork studios. Zaytoven listened to one of my tracks and was really feeling it, he told me one you gone make it because I reminded him of him, he knew I was church boy lol. I’m also very proud to be a part of Tomika’s Jackson show Go Girls Rock, being the DP of a show that airs on CBS Network is definitely a dream come true. I’m definitely proud to be a father to my sons. Braylen & Jrue and my bonus child Khylen. They’re the reason I go so hard to be the best I can be. I’m just me, everybody is taken, that is what sets me apart from others.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I don’t believe in luck honestly. I’m a man of faith, my faith in God has gotten me where I am today. Life has a purpose; we’re just walking in our own individual purpose daily. Whatever is going to happen, will happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: iambraystevenson.com
- Instagram: @iambraystevenson
- Facebook: Bray Stevenson
- Youtube: The Official Studio 12
