Meet Eric Hart Jr. | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Hart Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, why did you pursue a creative career?
A career in the arts is less of a choice and more of a calling. For me, I have to create. It’s an outlet. A form of self-exploration. Creating is my way of putting things into perspective that could otherwise go unanswered. Not only my love for creating but my dependency on it is what led me to pursue a career in the art world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So I started creating images about eight years ago back home in Macon, Georgia. Fast forward to today, and I can wholeheartedly say this is what I was put on this earth to do. As a photographer, I capture stylized portraiture that focuses mainly on the nuances and intersections of Blackness, queerness, and new formations of identity.

I received my first big professional job in 2019 working under Spike Lee but simultaneously continued creating my own personal images. When Covid hit, a few images I took of my grandparents while in quarantine went viral, and this led to a few different photo editors and producers reaching out and providing me with a platform to share some of my personal work to much larger audiences than my own. Since that first opportunity in 2019 I am blessed to say my work has been published in magazines like Rolling Stone, i-D, and Out, featured on HBO, applauded by artists like Beyoncé and Tyler Mitchell, and recently I was a 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 Art and Style select.

This process has one of ups and downs. The more I work the more I discover myself and where my morals lie. I am discovering my own persistence, resilience, and patience, which are truly key factors in working freelance and creating work that means something to you. I think for the longest I suffered from imposter syndrome and felt like I wasn’t ready or deserving of the things that were coming my way because all these things felt like a dream. These were things I had hoped and prayed for and once they started to happen here and there, I was in shock. However now I am at a place where I am hungrier than ever to just really go all in and prove what it is I am capable of, but I have to remind myslef that it’s all a process. Slow down. One of my favorite quotes is from this Billy Joel song that goes, “Slow down, you’re doing fine. You can’t be everything you want to be before your time”. I have been keeping this with me, especially lately. I think the continuous instant gratification that can come with photography (and really, so much in our current society) is something I am trying to shake. I can’t lie, I have to feel victim to feeling like I am not doing as well as my peers from the looks of Instagram, or questioning if the “success” of it all is over because I haven’t shot something “big” in a month or so. But I am learning through the guidance of mentors and just growing up that as an artist you write your own narrative. The “success” of it all is dependent on no one but you. Take your time with your art and make it meaningful, success will come.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spots in Atlanta…J.R. Crickets. Waffle House. I ain’t too fancy.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I have to thank God. I don’t question it, but I truly believe God has a hand in my life that is setting up a path much greater than I could even imagine.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of so many people. God has placed various angels in my life to guide me to a place of clarity about both my career and individual identity. I give the utmost thanks to all the angels who have impacted my story. My phenomenal family, Aunt Tina, Grandma, Aunt Joyce. I give thanks to my mentors, both those in my life and those whose words and creations feed my spirit, Dr. Deborah Willis, Spike Lee, Justin Bettman, Ru Paul, Beyoncé, and so many more. And last but certainly not least, I give thanks for the support of the Shirley & Billy Weir Foundation, The Gordon Parks Foundation, Griffin Lotz, Czar, Bayete Ross Smith, all the wonderful faculty at NYU, Ms. Lancaster, Ms. Hernandez, and my phenomenal friends. I feel like I am leaving people out but just thankful for all those who have been there for me, believing in me, and ultimately nurturing my spirit.

Website: https://www.officiallovehart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erichartjr/

Other: https://i-d.vice.com/amp/en_uk/article/epn8km/eric-hart-jr-photographer-interview