Today we’d like to introduce you to Tevin Foster.
Hi Tevin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been drawn to the arts, going all the way back to when I was a kid growing up in Jamaica. A big part of that came from my uncle, Chris. To me, he was the true definition of an artist. He could sing, play multiple instruments, and what fascinated me most was how he could paint or draw anything straight from his imagination without reference. Watching that made me want to start drawing too.
But if I’m being honest, what impacted me the most was his storytelling. He had this way of telling stories to me and my cousins that would completely pull you into another world. I could see everything he was describing so vividly, and I think that’s what really sparked my imagination. That led me to watching movies more, drawing more, and eventually wanting to create my own worlds.
When I got to Farmingdale State College, that interest turned into action. I met a friend and we used to talk about movies all the time, and one day we just said, “why don’t we try to make something ourselves?” We picked up a cheap Canon camera and started shooting skits with friends. As we got better, we started working with local actors and creating short films.
At the time, we didn’t even think about making money from it. In our minds, that kind of success only existed in Hollywood somewhere down the line. But while we were out filming, people would come up to us and ask if we could shoot their events. That was the first time it clicked that this could actually be something real.
Around that same time, I really leaned into photography. I had a professor, Carrie, who I kept bothering until she finally made me her intern, and she ended up teaching me a lot on that side, since I was originally more focused on video. She brought me on to assist her with weddings,she would handle photography and I would do videography. As she saw how serious I was about the craft, she kept giving me more opportunities. It came full circle when I eventually filmed her own wedding, and now we’re still close friends.
From there, everything just kept building,working on events, commercial projects, and eventually stepping into documentary filmmaking and building my own production company. Today, I’m the Associate Director of Media Production at Farmingdale State College while also running Hazy Sun Production, and continuing to develop original work like my documentary Race vs Culture: The Black Experience.
Looking back, it all really started with imagination,being inspired by storytelling at a young age and just taking that first step to create something, even if we didn’t fully know where it would lead.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. From the outside, filmmaking and being a creative can look fun, and it is, but there’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that people don’t always see. It’s a constant process of learning, refining your craft, and pushing yourself to get better every time you pick up a camera.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that filmmaking is a team sport. If you really want to grow and create something meaningful, you have to put your pride aside, open yourself up creatively, and collaborate with like-minded people. That’s where the magic really happens. At the same time, finding the right people isn’t always easy. There are moments where you run into individuals who don’t have the same intentions, or who may try to take advantage of your time or talent. Learning how to navigate that and protect your work while still staying open to collaboration has been a big part of the journey.
Another challenge is the pace. Tight deadlines have a way of sneaking up on you, especially when you’re balancing multiple projects or wearing multiple hats. That pressure can be intense, but it also forces you to become more disciplined, more efficient, and more creative in how you solve problems.
Overall, the challenges have really shaped me. They’ve taught me resilience, how to work with others, and how to stay committed to the bigger picture, even when things get tough.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m a visual storyteller. I work across photography, video production, and documentary filmmaking, creating content that’s both visually engaging and rooted in real stories. I’m currently the Associate Director of Media Production at Farmingdale State College, and I also run my own production company, Hazy Sun Production.
I’m very passionate about photography. Filmmaking is my craft, it’s something I can see play out over time, but photography is different. It’s about capturing a single frame that tells a story, or sometimes leaving it open for interpretation for the viewer. There’s something powerful about freezing a moment and letting people bring their own meaning to it.
I specialize in authentic storytelling, whether that’s through candid photography, branded content, or documentary work. I’m known for creating visuals that feel real and intentional, not overly staged, and for being able to connect emotion to what people are seeing.
One of the things I’m most proud of is my documentary work. My film Long Island Forgotten Heroes focused on raising awareness around homeless veterans, and it meant a lot to me to use storytelling as a way to shed light on an issue that often goes unseen. More recently, Race vs Culture: The Black Experience has been a major milestone. I’m proud of how that project has sparked meaningful conversations and encouraged people to find common ground and unity through dialogue.
What really sets me apart is my ability to adapt and create at a high level across different spaces, often as a one-person production team. I’ve learned how to wear multiple hats, director, shooter, editor, and creative strategist, while still keeping the story at the center of everything. I also bring a mindset of constant growth. I’m always learning, always refining, and always pushing myself to create better work than the last project.
Looking ahead, my bigger goal is to grow Hazy Sun Production into an original IP film production company, one that creates and produces original stories, and becomes a space where bold, meaningful films can live under the Hazy Sun umbrella.
At the end of the day, I’m not just focused on making things look good, I want the work to mean something and stay with people.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Through Hazy Sun Production, I collaborate on video production, photography, branded content, and documentary work. But beyond client work, my bigger focus is building original films and documentaries. Because of that, I’m especially interested in connecting with people who have a story to tell, or creatives who want to be part of future film projects that Hazy Sun will be developing and producing.
I’m always looking to collaborate with like-minded individuals, writers, actors, and especially producers who want to be part of developing and bringing original film projects to life.
In terms of support, one of the biggest ways people can get involved right now is through my documentary Race vs Culture: The Black Experience. I’m currently hosting screenings and actively looking for more spaces to bring the film and the conversation to, whether that’s schools, colleges, organizations, or venues. The goal is to create dialogue and bring people together, so any opportunity to expand that reach is incredibly valuable.
At the end of the day, I’m all about building community through storytelling, so whether it’s collaborating, sharing ideas, or helping bring a project to life, I’m always open to connecting.
The best way to connect with me is through email at [email protected] or [email protected], I’m always open to conversations and new opportunities.
Pricing:
- Event Coverage (Photo/Video): starting at $700+ depending on duration and deliverables
- Commercial / Brand Video Production: typically $2,500+ per project or day rate, depending on concept, crew size, and production needs
- Documentary & Story-Driven Projects: custom pricing based on scope, timeline, and level of production
- Photography (Portraits / Branding / Editorial): starting at $300–$800+ depending on session type and usage
- Pricing varies depending on the scope, scale, and needs of each project, but here are some general starting points:
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hazysunproduction.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taumorfilms/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tevinofoster/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TevinFosterDP
- Other: https://www.racevsculture.com
