For the last two weeks, I had the privilege to sit down and speak with these creatives about their process, failures and journey as artists in a city like Kansas City. We spoke about what brought them behind the camera, how they grew their platform, what inspires them and everything in between.
Stephanie Alba | IG handle: stephaniealbaphoto
Stephanie Alba has grown up in the local photography scene. Her father Octavio Miranda has been a Kansas City photographer for the last fifteen years.
“I have pictures of myself when I was ten years old, holding a camera, so I have been in it for quite a long time,” said Alba.
Although Alba has grown up seeing her fathers work, she has stayed true to her own style of photography throughout the last six years of being a freelancer.
“A lot of people like his photography, but you also have the other side, where it’s great to see his tips and tricks — but we still have two different styles of photography,” said Alba.
Alba recently graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City — and has brought her modern-portraiture photography — to a local KC Art Gallery and Photo Studio.
“Just getting involved with 610 Creatives and local creatives…because when I was in college.. I kind of stepped back, but I wasn’t actively involved in the creative community…so I am excited to get back out there,” said Alba.
Alba’s work isn’t just behind the camera, she aims to make her photography accessible to all first-generation graduates and the community.
“I try to keep photography accessible to everyone; it can be expensive. I wanted to focus on first-gen students, and I understand the importance graduation is to our families,” said Alba.
Jordan Brown | IG Handle: jaayybrown
Jordan Brown is notorious for using film cameras to tell his story through photographs. He aims to portray emotion, music and is deeply influenced by Black culture.
“I try my best to show the world and what I experience through my eyes. The way my art and myself in general resonate with music, I try to bring my audience on a journey, the vibe and feeling I get specifically to each concept I shoot,” said Brown.
Brown’s journey into media has been an all-around experience. He studied broadcasting and public relations at Hastings College in Nebraska. Brown constantly added his own perspective into this work.
“I anchored, practiced journalism, reported on stories, created my own visual content, worked as the head of social media in multiple departments, and a lot more — even put on sports broadcasting alongside NAIA and ESPN,” said Brown.
Nevertheless Brown can take a concept and add pungency to his work. He is deeply influenced by vintage looks, ancestoreal storytelling and 90’s streetwear.
“A lot of storytelling has a vintage taste to it — it has a lot of art — movies, music, fashion, paintings,”
Brown continuously excerpts Black culture into his inspirations and creative process.
“Fashion is a big thing for me and a lot of fashion comes from New York — Brooklyn, Bronx, Harlem — thats all Black prevalent areas that we stay in, we build our culture, and to be honest a lot of America follows and takes inspiration from all different ethnicities…starts with Black culture,” said Brown.
Brown has gone from broadcast journalist to a prodigious visual artist in the Kansas City area. Whether mixing song lyrics into his captions, telling a story or his portrayal of skin tones through his work — it is all a part of his creative recipe.
“It’s like cooking. The concept, the model, scene, and location are all ingredients. Say you are saltating vegetables or meat, what are you going to put on there? Seasoning. The seasoning is me, the film and what am I going to do to add the little spasazz. Mines cajun seasoning — it goes good on everything — it’s not for everybody, but for people who have good taste, they like it a lot,” said Brown.
Makayla Camille | IG Handle : thedigitalmc
Incorporating brown undertones, empathy and composition Makaylaa Camille captures the ethereal beauties of life. Camille grew up with her grandmother taking photos of her.
“Cameras were always around me growing up; she used to always have those disposable cameras to take pictures of me…cameras were always in my area — in my vicinity,” said Camille.
Camille uses different forms of visuals and arts to portray her ideas in her photographs.
“My process as a creative just goes all over the place; I have a sketchbook…I am a big Pinterest person,” said Camille.
In one of her shoots she was inspired by her favorite film — Mr. and Mrs. Smith — to recreate a toxic relationship with a twist. And she is inspired by songs and music videos.
“I am at a point in my life where songs like — Chloe and Halle produced the Ungodly Hour — I want to make a whole visual for that…I don’t know how I’m gonna do it yet…but it’ll get done,” said Camille.
Camille uses repetitive colors through her work to enhance her illusive images.
“Brown Sugar Baby. When people notice my work they notice a lot of brown undertones, I like to incorporate it into my pieces; the reason why I put sugar is because my work gives out a dreamy sense; and just baby goes with me — that’s my code thing,” said Camille.
Yessica Ramirez | Instagram handle: enchiladuhs
Ramirez grew up around cameras and video recorders. At a very young age, she remembers watching her mother film and taking photographs of their family.
“My mom inspired me, because when we were younger she would always film and take photos,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez’s confidence has grown as a local photographer. From comparison with other artists, she strives to focus on her own style.
“There is no reason to be so focused on everyone else in Kansas City — everyone has their own unique style,” said Ramirez.
Scrolling through her Instagram feed there is a transition from lifestyle photos to semi-nudity portraits. The interpretation for the extravagant change roots from Ramirez’s self-love mantra.
“My own insecurities — I despised the way I looked — the way I began loving myself was capturing other people [bodies],” said Ramirez.
Ramirez’s neutral style of photography brings out a sense of self-love through her images.
Ramirez tackled the field by shooting for Chiefs Cornerback Charvarius Ward back in the fall of 2019.
“It felt unreal. I was overthinking everything, there are so many lines where you are blocked off. But everything turned out great. So many emotions…super exciting,” said Ramirez.
Javier Rivera | IG Handle: riveraeyephotography
Javier Rivera picked up the camera out of the blue. Five years later, his camera and talent have landed him bookings back to back to back.
“I bought a camera for fun and it just went from there, I learned from my own mistakes, Youtube and other people that I like,” said Rivera.
Rivera has been growing as a Latino creative in the city. He shares the components and challenges many photographers face in K.C.
“I would say growing. Making sure your work is out there, there are a lot of people out there, other than that…we all have different styles to offer,” said Rivera.
Rivera has been noticed as a professional wedding and portraits photographer. From shooting three to four weddings a week to smaller portrait projects. Rivera’s eye has captured the hearts of his clients and the Latino community.
“Weddings and anniversaries are my proudest projects. When I take a picture, I think about if my pictures look like a photo you could take from your phone, then I did a terrible job; I want to take advantage of using my camera,” said Rivera.
Rivera found his own style and signature through trial and error — he encourages Latino creatives to take the chance — one click at a time.
“Make sure you enjoy photography. Because if you have a bad day, you gotta enjoy your work either way. Pick up the camera and practice, you learn from your mistakes, and reach out to other people,” said Rivera.
Meagan Taylor | IG handle: meagantaylorr
Fashion is another Kansas City staple. Meagan Taylor brings nature and clothing into a contemporary mix.
Taylor was influenced into pursuing photography because of her love for art and her older sister.
“I have always loved art. So, my sister would have her camera and we would go out and do photoshoots together,” said Taylor.
Taylor’s feed is filled with beautiful female models and her interpretation roots from women empowerment. Taylor wants to create a community and safe space for female models, to avoid awkward encounters with male photographers.
“I want to put myself into this world and be for women, make them feel comfortable and safe around me,” said Taylor.
The Kindred Shops is a collective boutique in the Kansas City area that Taylor has been shooting for since October of 2018. Taylor has worked closely with — social media manager Ashley Jewell — on styling shoots and getting a community of women together through clothing.
“The owner of Kindred reached out to me, and said to make this [shooting] a regular thing and I was like yeah, a job in this world,” said Taylor.
Abdul-Amir B. Williams | IG handle: amirabdul_
From using an iPhone 6s to a Canon Canonet G3-QL Amir has grown his devotion with photography.
He recalls seeing his mother’s images from London, and since then has been inspired to capture timeless images.
“Life in general. My mom always exposed us to different stuff, seeing she wasn’t from the States, just looking at pictures around the house. It just started from there and I added my own creativity to it,” said Amir.
Amir’s work shows details and perspective through his choice of color, editing and angles. His main objective is to capture life behind the camera in a calculated and timeless manner.
“We don’t see the same things. The way I shoot…I don’t want it to be looking the same as any other persons, I want it to be distinguished in a certain manner,” said Amir.
Amir encourages new photographers to follow their calling and stay true to their art.
“Be themselves. They can’t be me and I can’t be them. The only way you will get to a certain level is just by doing you — one hundred percent,” said Amir.
These individuals are brilliant, master minds who portray people, buildings, things and visuals one project at a time. For more of their work check out their Instagram handles and websites.