Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony McCray.
Hi Anthony, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started photography is a very dark place back in 2019. I was facing a lot of hardships that I wanted an escape from honestly. I always liked film photography so I started out using my friend’s film camera but I was TERRIBLE, I had no idea what I was doing. In December, I brought my Canon T6 with literally no money left in my account but that was the best decision I made thus far. I’ve always felt I never had a creative bone in my body and I would be jealous of others around me that had that trait.
The journey started off rough for me because I found myself comparing my Art to other well-established photographers when I should have accepted the fact that I was new, I had no idea how to use my camera to its fullest potential, and most importantly, knew nothing about lighting. Over time, I stopped comparing myself to others because that was doing me no justice; it would only hinder me from tapping into my potential to be the greatest. I had a few creative friends that would push me and speak positive words into me that pushed me to keep going and not give up on the bigger picture I created. I would also like to add that Kanye West has been a great big help too. His music has pushed me creatively since I believe and feel that he and I shared the same creative roadblocks of outsiders and naysayers telling us we cannot do this and that.
I started to get paid gigs and the work would turn out okay, wouldn’t be my best because I was always in my head until one day, I just stopped overthinking and just worked hard towards the goals I would set for myself. I would set up collaborations, which were a lot of unpaid gigs that allowed me to get better at composition, lighting, posing and etc. I did those for a while and then I realized that I should limit how much free work I am doing because now I am feeling like I’m being used just for photos. Battling with that was hard because the creative in me would just want to shoot but you have to create that boundary to protect your peace. I started to do more serious work that was geared to Fashion and Beauty work because that is what I want to be known for. Bringing a new creative perspective to the fashion scene; showing the world what I see. That helped bring traction around my brand which helped me gain some of the clients I worked with this year.
As of today, I am pursuing my goal and dream to be a full-time Fashion/ Beauty Photographer. I know the journey will not be easy but I will not take any days off until my spaceship takes off. I want to be able to inspire others to pick up their passion and get started on their dreams. It doesn’t matter how you start; it matters how you finish.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No dream is ever a smooth road honestly. I been through a few creative struggles, business, and branding struggles, and personal struggles that make you question if any of this is worth it. There are some nights where I find myself in deep thought thinking about how everyone around me is shooting more, gaining more clients than me, and all that jazz but all those things do not mean anything. Those are just distractions trying to take me away from my goal but I recenter and get back onto the grind. There was one creative I had to mute on social media because whenever he posted his work, I would feel that I was never good enough and that was just unhealthy. I had to get over my fear that I would never reach that level of fame and stop comparing myself to him. That was a hard challenge because he produces such a high level of work, I felt that I would never do the same but that is crazy to think, right? Right. I did unmute his social media page because I am in a better place now and I just focus on my Art and produce the best work I can do!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Fashion & Beauty Photographer. I specifically shoot in a vintage style on my creative fashion projects. For my beauty, I do clean-cut style to highlight beauty features but I want to tap in more to the vintage Black glamour/ Hollywood style of Beauty photography.
The project I am most proud of is my creative collaboration with Silver AKA Foxie. We did a Roller skate concept in downtown DC and that shoot went viral. I did that shoot when I was in a bad living situation and the fact, I was able to produce great images under stress made me extremely happy.
What sets me apart from others is how I see the world honestly. No one can see what I see so why not show them what I see? Let me bring my vision to life.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Covid-19 really showed me that it is okay to take time out for yourself and just do what is best for you. Be the best person you can be and just be yourself. Too many people focus on Instagram and social media flexing when you don’t have to.
Just live for yourself and learn from your lessons.
Contact Info:
- Email: eyeofant97@gmail.com
- Website: Eyeofant.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/C1cxro
- Twitter: Twitter.com/C1cxro
Image Credits
Anthony McCray
Foxie
Jessica Brisk
Jeanne
Ni
Edisha
Daria
Maimouna
Eriq
Monie
Nancy
Darell
