Meet Tatyana Fennoy | Filmmaker and Content Creator

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

Hi Tatyana, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I grew up in Columbus, Ohio where I spent the majority of my life until I moved to Atlanta for college. I come from a very family oriented household and we often bonded by going to the movie theater together. My family has always encouraged me to tap into my creative side. Outside of the safety of my home and few close friends, I was picked on in school. I always felt like an outcast. I was made fun of for wanted to pursue filmmaking. I didn’t tell many people about my art outside of my family, who have always encouraged to chase my passion no matter what others say. Coming to Atlanta for film school opened my eyes to the large community of outcasts using their rich stories to create impactful art. As a creative professional I have adopted this mindset and fully embraced my “weird” side. It’s what’s makes my work my own. I am thankful for all the trials I faced while learning to be myself as I grew up. I can now put all the hardship into my art and connect with others that have a similar story to tell and hopefully inspire other quiet artist to make art out loud.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It has definitely been a journey getting to where I am today as a creative professional. I got my first camera ten years ago and spent the next five or so years hiding my work from the world. One of the things I am most proud of through those years was finding my confidence through my work and pushing myself to document my creative growth. It hasn’t been easy getting to where I am today and I still feel like this is only the beginning. I was able to overcome my self-doubt by shifting my mindset in terms of why I make art in the first place. I no longer do it to for there attention and validation of others. That’s one of the lessons I have learned in this journey: If you create art from a place of self expression and authenticity you won’t be afraid of how others perceive it because it was never meant to satisfy their perception. I think what sets me and my brand apart is I’ve fully embraced being an introverted, shy creative and I feel many people can identify with that. Making art is messy and imperfect and I want my brand to accurately reflect those parts of my story. I am most excited to continue to push myself out of my comfort zone this year and better document the growing pains of an Black queer content creator just trying to figure life out and create art that I love.

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.
For starters, I am vegan…hopefully I didn’t lose y’all with that revelation! I am a huge foodie so let’s start there. A few must-visits for my plant-based friendly folks are Plant Based Pizzeria for their Spicy Georgia Peach pizza, La Semilla for Latin American food and great drinks, Hippie Hibachi for vegan, Cafe Kulture, and 87 Sweets for vegan ice cream downtown. My favorite food spots that offer vegetarian/vegan options are Chaat Patti for great Indian street food, Big Softie for amazing soft serve, and True Food Kitchen. I always take first time visitors to the Centennial Olympic Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, and the Botanical Gardens. There are too many places to visit and things to do to include in this list but I always try to plan an itinerary that gives my visitors a little bit of everything the city has to offer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My partner and my brothers have been constant sources of support, mentorship, and unconditional encouragement throughout my creative journey. I have two older brothers who inspired me to follow my dreams of shooting videos before I got my first camera. They planned photoshoots and creative project with me before I even knew how to operate my first camera. At nineteen, I started my first creative business with my brothers who taught me the ins and outs of running a business and helped keep my head up when it ultimately failed. My partner has been my biggest fan through all the life changes and challenges I have faced these last five years of settling into adulthood and chasing my dreams. We have persevered through many hard times together and she was constantly reminding me to believe in my art in times where I felt I couldn’t find my purpose. Many opportunities I have today came from my partner and my brothers encouraging me to put myself out there and push through my fear of being seen by others. Of course, I also have to shoutout my parents, who got me my first camera for my 14th birthday and sparked the creative journey I have been on ever since.

Instagram: madeby_bbydoll

Youtube: VideosbyTaty

Image Credits
Image 1: Cassie Rae Designs