What Photographing Celebrities Has Taught Me

Lessons From Muna Lee, Yohance Myles, Tony Grant, and Ashaki Ziegler

As a professional photographer, my career has brought me into the lives of some truly extraordinary people. From capturing the powerful stride of an Olympic gold medalist to documenting the intensity of renowned actors and the soulful expression of a jazz singer, each photoshoot presents an opportunity to tell a story through the lens. I've been privileged to photograph USA gold medalist Muna Lee, actors Yohance Myles and Tony Grant, and jazz singer Ashaki Ziegler. These sessions not only allowed me to explore different photography styles but also challenged me to bring out the unique qualities that make each individual stand out.

Muna Lee: The Strength and Grace of an Olympian

Photographing Muna Lee, a decorated USA gold medalist and former Olympian, was an incredible experience that allowed me to highlight the dedication and strength that defined her career in track and field. As an accomplished sprinter, Muna's journey is one of resilience and triumph. The first session took place at the Clinton Library in Little Rock, Arkansas, a location chosen for its blend of history and modern architecture, offering the perfect backdrop for an athlete of Muna’s stature. The second session took place at the Old Mill in North Little Rock. 

The goal was to capture the duality of Muna's power and elegance. We combined posed shots with action-oriented imagery to showcase her athleticism, focusing on her movements and the way she carries herself with both strength and grace. The open spaces of the Clinton Library added a sense of dynamism to the photos, while natural light illuminated her features, creating a striking contrast. The grounds of the Old Mill provided unique natural backdrops to compliment the femininity of her chosen outfit.

For these sessions, we avoided black-and-white imagery, opting instead for vibrant color tones that emphasized the depth and texture of the setting and Muna’s presence. The results were a series of powerful images that spoke to Muna's identity as both an athlete and an individual who has inspired countless others through her achievements.

Muna is one of the most decorated female track athletes of all time. She is LSU's most decorated track and field athlete as a 7-time NCAA champion, 12-time SEC champion and 20-time All-American. She has a host of professional accomplishments as well, including several Olympic appearances and a World Track and Field Championships gold medal. 

Yohance Myles and Tony Grant: Bringing Drama to Life

When working with actors Yohance Myles and Tony Grant, my approach was influenced by the need to reflect the dramatic nature of their craft. Both actors have distinguished themselves through powerful performances on screen, and our photoshoot was tied to their roles in the movie Sins of David, which was later released on Amazon Prime. The shoot took place in Detroit, Michigan, on a green screen to accommodate the cinematic effects required for the film's marketing materials.

Shooting against a green screen allowed for post-production flexibility, enabling the addition of diverse backgrounds and visual elements to complement the film's themes. The challenge here was to bring out the intensity of each actor’s expression while maintaining an organic quality in the portraits. I experimented with different lighting techniques to create dramatic shadows and highlights that emphasized their features, adding depth to the images.

The key to capturing authentic portraits of actors is allowing them the space to convey a range of emotions naturally. For Yohance and Tony, I encouraged improvisation during the shoot, letting them tap into their characters from Sins of David. This approach resulted in a series of portraits that were not only visually compelling but also encapsulated the essence of their roles, showcasing the actors' ability to convey emotion even in still frames.

Ashaki Zeigler: The Art of Live Performance Photography

Jazz singer Ashaki Zeigler brings a level of passion and energy to the stage that makes photographing her a truly dynamic experience. I had the honor of capturing her live performance during a concert held to celebrate her birthday. Live performance photography presents unique challenges, as the lighting is often unpredictable, and the subject is constantly moving. However, these same elements create opportunities to capture raw emotion and the atmosphere of the moment.

The concert setting allowed for a mix of candid and composed shots. I used a combination of wide-angle shots to capture the crowd’s interaction and close-ups that emphasized Ashaki’s facial expressions as she sang. The stage lighting, which shifted from deep blues to vibrant reds, added dramatic color to the images, making them visually striking. I embraced the changing light conditions by adjusting my camera settings on the fly, using higher ISO levels to capture the ambiance without sacrificing detail.

What made this shoot particularly special was the emotional depth that came through in the images. As Ashaki performed, there were moments when her voice would carry the weight of personal experiences, and her expressions reflected that. The photos captured the connection between the artist and her audience, showcasing the shared energy of the live performance.

Celebrity Portrait Photography: Crafting Memorable Images in Little Rock, Arkansas

The opportunity to work with well-known figures like Muna Lee, Yohance Myles, Tony Grant, and Ashaki Ziegler has provided valuable lessons in the art of portrait photography. Celebrity portraits are more than just capturing a famous face; they are about conveying the personality, achievements, and stories of the individual. When photographing celebrities, the goal is to create images that go beyond standard poses to reveal something deeper about the subject.

I have had the pleasure of working with athletes, musicians, actors, and business professionals to create images that stand out. My approach is tailored to each session, whether it involves sports portrait photography, theatrical headshots, or live event photography. Attention to lighting, location, and the subject's unique attributes are key factors in crafting memorable celebrity portraits.