Meet Russell Dreyer | Fashion and creative portrait photographer / Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Russell Dreyer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Russell, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have pursued a creative career because it’s all I’ve ever known.. I started my life out as an artist and the universe willing, I will live out my days being an artist. Fortunately, I was born with a gift of talents that enable me to manifest my visions into a visual representation of the way I see the world. I’m never going to cure cancer, or send a rocket to the moon, but I do add color, imagination, and vibrancy to the world in the only ways I know how.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started my journey as an innovative fashion photographer as the industry standard of fashion found its way to the South. With the onslaught of designers and new fashion talent into Atlanta, I was in the perfect spot to make a splash in the exciting new community coming out of New York and LA. After having worked with Warner Bros. and Nylon Magazine as well as photographing album covers for the artists Andre 3000, Shaun Combs, Wiz Kahlifa, and Waka Flaka, I believed it was time for me to get back to my roots…illustration. The crossover was hugely successful due to my organic following on social media platforms. Just the act of choosing art as a profession is always a challenge. There is no guarantee of an hourly wage or salary..there is no safety net. You either just survive or you thrive. The only benefit that you receive is your own satisfaction of bringing something new and beautiful into the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Seeing as how my wife and I live in our own little slice of paradise, I would invite them to our house. I would take them fishing, hiking and tubing the river and jamming every night by the fire pit with friends. We would cook out on the grill, and I would show them. They would be entertained nightly by Black Cat and Lanabear, our two little black cats.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
From an early age I showed an ability to express myself in a different light than most other children. My mother always encouraged, supported and cheered me on, making me determined to excel in my artistic endeavors. At nineteen, my uncle invited me to apprentice under him in his photography business in South Florida and immediately I knew that is what I wanted to do with my life. I came back to Atlanta and enrolled in a renowned visual communication college where I was very fortunate to cross paths with Greg Strelecki, the most dedicated and nurturing department head. Under his tutelage, I thrived and finished the program at the top of my class. Upon completion, two very important concepts were born at the same time, Rite Media and The Love is Art Project. Between Jeremy Brown and Paris Shulman, I came into contact with the giants of the local artistic community in Atlanta and my career skyrocketed from there. Most importantly, having met my beautiful and talented wife Nathalia Dreyer at one of my art shows (she being an artist as well), I want to thank her for supporting me in all my artistic craziness. I am grateful to them all for their part in making me the artist that I am today.

Website: www.russelldreyer.com

Instagram: russelldreyer

Facebook: Russell Dreyer