Welcome back to the blog! If you're new here, welcome to London's hottest photography blog, where we connect, inspire and create a community of established and aspiring photographers globally.
In our winter edition, we are celebrating Black History Month by highlighting some of the best Black photographers in the world. Last week, we featured Awelewa Charles from Canada, and this week, we're speaking with Tre Chappell, originally from Pennsylvania, who now resides in Houston, Texas.
As most of you know, photography isn't just about taking pretty pictures. It's about storytelling, capturing emotion and engaging your audience. Let me ask you this: if someone were to walk past your work in a London art gallery or photography exhibition, would they stop in their tracks?
How intentional are you when it comes to storytelling?
Today, we're diving into Tre's World, a creative strategist and portrait photographer with a sharp eye for colour, composition and nostalgic aesthetics. His work transports viewers to a different era's, you may end up in the 70s or 90s.
Chaotic Orange
I was instantly drawn to Tre's work when I came across his portrait project, Chaotic Orange on Twitter. In the age of social media, we're constantly exposed to aesthetically pleasing images, but this image isn't just a picture of a pretty person, it's a standout piece.
From a photographers perspective (mine), I see it as an intentional collaboration where we witness a sexy, frustrated, rebellious Black women being bold in an illuminating way. She isn't intimidating, she isn't angry, she is full of colour and style.
The colour orange is extremely flattering on dark brown skin, and I love the subtle use of the dodge tool from the dodge and burn technique on Photoshop. Orange and white are colours often associated with the '70s, and some might expect to see a Black woman with an Afro. Instead, we are met with beaded box braids, a bold choice that signals her confidence and willingness to stand out.
Tre has a way of transporting you to an era and then making it feel futuristic. I'd say her modern beaded box braids paired with her 70s inspired outfit create a look that is both nostalgic and forward thinking. In addition, I appreciate the dreamy affect achieved through a slow shutter speed and textured finish of the photograph this piece is truly captivating.
Achievements
I am an optimistic individual who thrives on positive, progressive conversations. Often, when we reconnect with people we haven't seen in awhile or meet strangers, we tend to fall into mundane small talk. But what if we stopped asking the about weather and instead asked "What was your greatest achievement of last year ?
Shifting the focus to goal orientated questions could lead to more meaningful and engaging conversations. It would encourage positive reflection and accountability.
When you own a business and or are self-employed, it's easy to get caught up in what you haven't done and what still needs to be done, forgetting to acknowledge the small wins and achievements that deserved to be shared and celebrated.
Kaptured by KaGe: Let's talk about your achievements, no matter how small or big. What was your greatest achievement of 2024 ?
Tre Chappell: This question is somewhat tricky because 2024 was a year that made me feel like I failed myself. I had to step back from everything because everything was crashing. Sometimes, you have to pivot and let things go to make room for growth. So, to answer the question, I would have to say my greatest achievement in 2024 was finding the strength to accept myself and give myself a reset in order to improve mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially.
Kaptured by KaGe: Thank you for your honesty. It's not always easy to be transparent, but the truth is, people have bad days, years, and challenging times. I'm glad you can reflect, rest and start again this year!
In fact, can you share an image that made you feel confident in your photography skills ?
An image that made you think "This is what i'm meant to do!!"
Tre Chappell: This is my absolute favourite photo of all time, it's best that I have ever shot. The colour of their skin and the bold colours complement each other very well. It exudes Blackness, Royalty, and Beauty!!
Black History Month
We, as Black people, are more alike than we are different. You only truly discover this when you travel the world as a Black person or connect with Black people from different continents. You begin to understand that while our cultures may vary and the foods we eat might be different, at our core, we share so many similarities. More importantly, we are often viewed by the world in a unique way, which is why I believe it's essential to create blogs and celebrate Black History Month. It gives us the opportunity to uplift Black people globally, especially given the long history of injustice caused by the systems put in place.
Kaptured by KaGe: Finish the sentence: As a Black man in America and Black women.
Tre Chappell: As a Black man in America, my purpose is to show the world that it is okay for Black men to express themselves in any way, shape, or form within our art. It's okay to be viewed as "weird" that's what makes you who you are. Show your uniqueness to the world. You never know who might think it's cool.
Black women inspire me to keep going. The Black women around me are always working hard to achieve the things they desire. As a man, it pushes me to stay on my toes and make sure I'm doing what I need to do as well.
Tre's World
Tre Chappell: My idea of a dream vacation is visiting Tokyo by myself, bringing my camera to capture the different parts of the city and the culture while enjoying all types of local foods there and sipping on water...... whispers and tequila.
Kaptured by KaGe: How did your childhood environment shape your perception of colour? Were there specific places or moments that ignited your passion for expressing colour in your photography?
Tre Chappell: I come from a small town that is very old and dull. I guess it shaped my perception of colour by inspiring me to create my own world in colour that I can escape to.
Kaptured by KaGe: Finish the sentence: My family has shown me…
Tre Chappell: My family has shown me the importance and value of love. That may sound cliche, but the love from my family has shaped me into who I am today. The more I go through life, the more I realise that not every one has a loving family like I do, and I am very appreciative of them.
Kaptured by KaGe: As a creative strategist, do you typically have a detailed vision before the photoshoot, or do you go with the flow, capturing the vibe on set and using your instinct to guide the images?
Tre Chappell: It depends. If it's a client shoot or if the shoot has a full team, I normally have a mood board just to give others an idea of how the aesthetic will be. However, I use my instincts a lot and on set and let them guide me through the shot based on what I see and feel in the moment.
Kaptured by KaGe: Your work evokes strong emotions. What feelings do you want your audience to experience when they view your photos?
Tre Chappell: I want my audience to feel radiance and amusement, while also having curiosity of what the art means. A lot of my work comes from suppressing my emotions and only expressing them within the art.
Kaptured by KaGe: As we wrap up the interview, I'm truly grateful for your willingness to be the second person we interview and for letting us into your world. You should be incredibly proud of yourself and I hope this year you continue to feel motivated, you are recognised across the world and I cant wait to see what's next for you.
Tre Chappell: My purpose is to show the world that it is okay for Black men to express themselves in any way, shape, or form within our art.
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