We had the good fortune of connecting with Keitravis Squire and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Keitravis, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Best the best version of yourself. I keep that affirmation close to me. It’s a constant reminder to be all that you can be. There will always be challenges to overcome, but as long as you do your best you will prevail.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a photographer and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia. I have a passion for creating visual stories using key principles of photography and cinema. My goal is to inspire individuals to think critically and form their own interpretations after internalizing my work. I set out to create my own lane of art while paying homage to the greats that have come before me such as Oscar Micheaux, Gordon Parks, Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, and Stanley Kubrick. I am forever an observer of the world and utterly fascinated by the purity and rawness of the human psyche. I’m creatively diverse earning publications in poetry, creative writing, and photography; being confined to one form of expression isn’t an option.
I don’t believe that any path is easy. If it were – everyone would do it. There are always challenges to learn from. 2020 is the perfect example. The pandemic was the ultimate test. As a creator, it was difficult to work. In the beginning, there wasn’t a lot of knowledge about Covid-19. Personally, I didn’t book any sessions because the risks were always there. However, I took that downtime to learn new skills. I did a lot of product photography and focused on becoming a better screenwriter.
With age and as I continue to progress as a photographer and filmmaker – my resentment for social media grew. There are many positives, but it’s tiring to constantly learn about a forever-changing algorithm. I’ll be first to admit that I allowed social media to ruin my photography. I became obsessed with what people liked and expected of me and it stopped being fun. The passion was lost. The last year has given me the opportunity to reset and fall in love with the art forms again.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the arts! I’d take my friends to the Atlanta High Museum. It’s one of my favorite places in the city. I collect vinyls. So, we would have to go Criminal Records. Piedmont Park is always great as well. I prefer cooking for people instead of going to restaurants. I love exploring the city with my camera. So, there’s no telling where we’d end up.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife is my biggest fan. She continuously pushes me to be the best version of myself. She believes in me – even during the trying times. My family – my mom and dad have always supported my dreams. They use to record documentaries on making films, constantly take me to blockbuster, and sit through my questions about special effects in films. My parents would call in “movie magic.” My entire family will let anyone know that I am a photographer and filmmaker. Sometimes, it can be embarrassing, but I never take their love for granted. My great-grandmother probably played the biggest role. Growing up I spent almost every weekend at her house and she would expose me to many different genres of film. She would have been excited to see my films. I know that she’s proud. Lastly, I cannot forget Dr. Hershey and Dr. Holmes. They were my favorite professors and I still have a great relationship with them to this day.
Website: keitravissquire.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/keitravissquire
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitravissquire/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/keitravissquire
Other: https://vimeo.com/keitravissquire
Image Credits
Models: Que Pegross, James, Taniesha Bowen, Brodie Hanyard, Ijon Grice, Quinton Martin II, Rah, Brian Murray