Meet T. Conover | Photographer

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

Hi T., what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
I don’t fully agree with is the idea that you have to find your ONE passion and stick with it. Niche down?! Absolutely Not! People are (or should be) multi- dimensional. I believe that more you allow yourself to explore, the more you’re able to learn about yourself, the more confident you become in your decision making and (in the long run) the more successful you become at your business.
I’ve always known I was creative and loved making things, but I didn’t know what my exact path would be. If I found it interesting, I’d try it: making tumblers, balloon garlands, upcycling, catering, real estate, travel planning… to name a few. It got to the point where my friends and family were telling me to, “Pick something!” I could not just pick ONE thing. They all were fulfilling in someway. For a while, I thought catering was my thing. I love it and I’m a really really good cook! However, once I started cooking for money, the joy disappeared. Cooking was only joyful when I was cooking for people I cared about. That taught me that not every creative gift is meant to be monetized. Some things are just for love.
And then there was photography! It’s the one thing that I found that allows me to be creative AND to help people feel better about themselves. Every time I am behind my camera, I’m happy. Every time.
For me, I would not have made it to THIS point without allowing myself the freedom to explore. All these experiences allowed me to find that thing that blends my passion (creativity) with my purpose (lifting people up).

So, no! Unless you were fortunate enough to instantly find that thing that brings you joy and purpose, keep exploring! Take the time to learn yourself and what you truly want. That THING you’re looking for will come!

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.
You know, if I really trace it back, I should have known I’d always end up here. Thanks to both my grandmothers.
My Grannie (Mary)was very into fashion and style. Very creative! She was an avid thrifter who could really put some pieces together and she loved fashion magazines! We rarely saw eye-to-eye in fashion choices. She’d always call me “jive” lol. However, I see now her influence as I, as an adult, have curated my own individual style and flare!
My Grandma Joan bought me every camera I ever had growing up – from film to digital. She would take us (my sister and me) on trips and as soon as we got back, she would take us to Walgreens to develop our film.Because of her, I always kept a camera. Until there was… the camera phone.
I started taking really creative photos when I finally got an iPhone. One of my favorite dates to date is when my husband, at 2am, woke me up and said, “Let’s go downtown and take pictures with our phones.” We had just gotten the iPhone 12. We took photos until like 5am. It was such a fun night/ morning! I started receiving a lot of compliments on my iPhone photography which then made me want to study photography. I studied photography first. I would watch a ton of YouTube videos on photography: how to work the camera, different lighting situations, strobe light photography, different photography niches, what NOT to do.. etc. I was obsessed!
In October of 2022, I purchased a Canon Rebel T4i from Facebook Marketplace and purchased the “Nifty Fifty” 50mm lens from Amazon and got to practicing! I knew I wanted to pursue strobe light photography because I was so in love with how bold and vivid other creator’s photos would turn out. I wanted that! I wanted that POP! I wanted my clients to feel like their photos looked like they belonged in a magazine. When I was finally able to purchase my first strobe light and softbox, I conducted my first photoshoot with my sister… and then my mom… and then my friend, Kyshi! In between shoots, I would study and with each shoot got better. I started purchasing new mods and upgrading my equipment. Any extra money I had went to photography. In Spring of 2024, Once I felt confident in my art, I launched T.Conover Photography!

My mission: to make my friends—and every client—look and feel like a model. It’s not always easy, especially because so many people believe they aren’t photogenic, but I truly believe that with the right styling and a thoughtful photographer who makes you feel comfortable, anyone can take amazing photos.

One thing that sets me apart is that I personally style most of my clients. Whether it’s helping choose outfits, adding the right accessories, or dreaming up a full concept;I’m hands-on from start to finish to make sure the vision comes together beautifully.

I’m especially drawn to storytelling through images. I love using props, locations and wardrobe to bring a concept to life. I don’t rely too much on posing. Instead, I like to give my clients a little backstory or scene to act out and I never stop clicking because there is always that one, unexpected candid that makes someone say, “WOW… that’s me?!”
My work often feels like playing dress-up with my friends. It’s portrait photography but with a mix of real emotion, character-building, and a small touch of fashion.
I wouldn’t put me in an “editorial” or “fashion” box just yet , although that is my goal. My focus is always on making people feel incredible in front of the camera.
I am someone who naturally dreams big and sets timelines… and then tends to get overwhelmed trying to make it all happen at once. Photography has taught me to slow down. I’ve adopted a mindset I call “Grow as I Go.” Whenever there’s a new technique I want to learn, I take the time to study it, practice it, and apply it when I’m ready. I’ve learned it’s okay not to have everything figured out as long as I’m growing with every shoot.

Photography has definitely taught me to always have a backup plan. I work on location. When on location, there’s ALWAYS something! Batteries drain, winds blow and the rain will rain. A strobe battery dies? No worries! let’s go with the flash! Batteries dead? No,
Worries! I brought extra. Your white dress got muddy? No worries! Let’s muddy the whole dress and make it part of the story lol. You just always have to be prepared to pivot and still stay confident in the turnout. If things don’t go as planned, they always go as PLANNED! You know?

Im big on making sure that my clients see the beauty in themselves, as they are. I’m not a heavy “photoshopper”.I’m not going to edit out every blemish, stretchmark or mole. I’m not going to make anything “smaller”. It all tells a story and in a world full of filters and frauds, I just want a little authenticity. And I want my clients to want that and to see the beauty in being who you are!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were coming for a week, I’d take her to Thumbs Up Diner for breakfast, Fellini’s for our pizza fix, almost any Mexican restaurant on the Southside and for dinner, Marcus B&Gs in Edgewood. Oh! She loves chicken wings so we’d also hit up the original J.R. Crickets.

While she’s here we’re definitely going to a weekend day party. Preferably at the Westside Motor Lobby. We would also grab some ice cream or a margarita and walk the beltline. Then maybe stop at the Clermont Rooftop for drinks or Ponce City Market and Rooftop. We’re definitely going to MJQ on Atlanta day and if we can get a nap in on Sunday and are off the following Monday, Bonfire!

There’s always a random popup happening. I’m sure we’d go to some pop ups as well

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my husband. He supports my ideas-big or small-and always helps keep me grounded. He gives the best advice, and even though photography isn’t his thing, he’s learned how to work the camera and strobe just to help me out on set. He’s the GOAT!

Big love, too, to my sisters and my friends, who are constantly pushing me to the foreground, even though I’m so much more comfortable in the background.

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/tconoverphotography