Meet T.A. Yero | Visual Storyteller & Commercial Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with T.A. Yero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi T.A., what are you inspired by?
My late father, Tacuma Opio Yero, was the self-proclaimed Family Historian. He always told me as a kid that “Photos were proof WE existed.” he always had a camera in his had to capture the moments that mattered to the family so we could have something to remember. When he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, I knew I had to take as many pictures as I could of him before it was too late. Nothing was ever “posed”, they were all candid shots of him just living…I wanted to capture him…just LIVING. So with he passed a few months later, I had his story in my photos, and one of my favorite photos, is a profile of him eating an ice cream cone in my car after we just came back from the doctor’s office. The innocence, vulnerability and resolve of just eating ice cream, after being told that bad news still gets me to my core every time I look at it. That’s why I take photos, because I want everyone to have something to look back on to help them remember that special moment. A former mentor of mine once said that as photographers, “Our superpower is freezing time.” And I want to use my powers for the greater good. To help others, like it helped me during that hard time in my life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Look Baba, I made it! Two Hearts Media happened because COVID-19 shut down the world and forced me to turn my “hobby” into a career. I was always taking photos with my cellphone, (It was the only camera I had a the time) and when I was working with Theater Companies as the Production Manager or Stage Manager, I was always using what I had to take photos of the production because, like my Baba said, “Photos are proof we excited.” so I wanted to make sure I was able to capture the “Black Stage Magic” that was happening right before my very eyes. And then when the world shut down, I had to figure out how to make some money, and a friend said I should take some Food Photography photos because kitchens didn’t close, just the dining rooms, and people still need to eat. Now, I need to get a real camera, thank you Facebook market place! Yes, I got my camera from another local photographer who was upgrading her equipment, so my first ever professional camera, was bought used. Now we can start making some money! So I started taking photos of Food, and then that turned into taking photos of products too. Mind you I am still taking photos of theater, and then with the theater aspect, I’m taking headshots of the actors, and then that leads to taking portraits, so on and so forth. Still halfway through the pandemic, now I am taking Headshots, Portraits, Food and Product Photography and clients keep coming, so I’m guessing this is what I’m meant to do, so then Two Hearts Media is born. My husband, Aron, went to school for broadcasting, and since photography is not that far removed from that, we decided to do this thing called business together. I take care of the Photography, he takes care of the videography, and on occasion, we do projects togethers seeing as my love for Theater helps me with directing and producing. And we have been going strong ever since.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So you can’t come to Louisville, KY and not have FOOD & DRINKS… We have to go to Dasha Barbours for some good wings or the catfish dinner, and then of course if you are a friend of mine, you know we are going to catch a theater production! Faith Works Studios is a Fan-Favorite and they always have something going on…If you visit during the first part of December, their “Soul of Christmas” is the hottest ticket in TOWN!!! Then we can ride over to Huber’s Farm to pick up some fresh wine, or we can grab some local bourbon like, Brough Brothers or IX Bourbon and just relax on the porch looking at old photos. I’m such a home body all I really like to do it take photos, so visiting any of the downtown or the Russell Neighborhood to catch some of the beautiful murals that were put up by local artists is he best way to have a good time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To my husband, Aron L. Pryor. My High School Sweetheart, my Best Friend, and Business Partner…without you, I wouldn’t know how to focus my passion through my lenses. You showed me a world of possibilities and I thank you everyday for it.

Website: www.2HeartsMedia.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2heartsmedia/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayero/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yero502

Youtube: 2 Hearts Media