Meet Tyoderick Justice | Photographer & Videographer

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

Hi Tyoderick, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
This era we have been shifting into, is the era where anybody with an idea, a message, and a willingness to strive, can connect with the multitude. The era we now live in, is an era where anybody can grow their very own audience, and control the frequency and quality of the message themselves. I started my business because I wanted to make a name for myself & be someone of interest. I live in Atlanta so it’s no better place to start a media business. It’s no doubt a lot of talent in the city & they are going to need a photographer/videographer so in my head, nothing could go wrong. I’m young, good at what I do & have great business ethic.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My name is Tyoderick K’Shaun Justice but known as Tray Sharpshire by many. I shoot because I see. I shoot because if I don’t, I don’t know who will. Activism is seen as a dirty word. I shoot because I find peace in being especially active, and being a vigorous advocate for a cause. I wish that every image I photograph reexamines and redefines the image of the black man, the black woman, and the black child. Every picture I take asks the questions, “Who am I and what is my role here on this earth?” It is my way of seeing. It is my way of saying this is another way of seeing me. In a deeply personal way I feel an image is a poem about time, about “staying the moment.” Images can keep the memory of a loved one alive, hold a moment in history for future generations, be a witness to tragedy or joy. They can also change behavior, stimulate understanding and create a sense of urgency that will move people to action. Photography is the universal language that speaks to the heart. Why is it important? Look at where we are right now. The world today scares me, frankly – people, cultures refusing to understand each other, and the results are frightening, and it’s to the benefit of the people at the top to keep it that way. So I have to believe in a more diverse and inclusive media (yes, to believe it’s dangerously problematic that the world has been predominantly visualized by people who look like me), and I have to believe in the innovations that allow for people to share their own stories with a wide audience. Photographers are the dedicated, passionate and sometimes seen as crazy individuals who are willing to give their lives, too often quite literally, to show us what needs to be seen, what needs to be known. I can think of no greater honor nor privilege than to have lived a life surrounded by images and the amazing individuals who create them and share them with us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would most definitely take them to the best spots in Atlanta to eat! Wings were not by no means invented in ATL but my city has absolutely adopted wings as its own cultural cuisine. For wings that are craveworthingly crispy and sauced to perfection, Clay’s Sports Cafe in Sandy Springs is an excellent choice. The prices are affordable, especially for the neighborhood. Next on my list is J.R Crockets, They make their blue cheese themselves and the wings are fresh, never frozen. And of course you’ve got to try their lemon pepper wet wings, made with a medium sauce and sprinkled with lemon pepper sprinkles. Whether Lou Williams was looking for just wings at Magic City, I couldn’t tell you, but strip club wings are absolutely a thing here and Magic City has some phenomenal ones fasho!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would nonetheless like to give a shout-out to my High school, Cedar Grove High School because without them I wouldn’t be who I am today and I probably wouldn’t have never started doing photography or shooting videos. I want to thank and give credit to everyone who ever has stepped in front of my lens. I can’t forget to most importantly thank my parents & god for blessing me with this talent, I’m more than humble! Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In your all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Website: https://trayvisuals.wixsite.com/trayvisualsmedia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traysharpshire/?hl=en