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Collaboration with Daria & Tya
Their Meaning of Unity as Photographers
By: Teronce Styyles
It was absolutely wonderful to interview two women (Daria Johnson & Tya Anthony) who are about making moves and using their talent of photography to capture the essence of beauty. Not only are they photographers but they are mothers, students, artists and best friends of 17 years. I have to say that conducting this interview with them just helps me realize that what I’m pursuing is not impossible nor is it unrealistic. This interview was filled with laughter, wisdom, encouragement, sacrifices, understanding, realization, dedication and persistence. To all the viewers reading this interview/discussion, sit back and enjoy. Hopefully you will be inspired and encouraged to continue on your journey of success.
Styyles: Good afternoon ladies. I want to thank you for sharing your time with me and the viewers of ExcapetheMatrix.
Daria: It’s always a pleasure to chat with you, Mr. Styyles.
Tya: I agree with Daria on that.
Styyles: Alright, well I’m going to start with you Daria. What does unity mean to you?
Daria: Unity pretty much means to me the coming together and
collaboration of images in achieving a common goal, regardless of what
that goal might be.
“I think what inspires me most is reality. I think when I shoot
someone I want to know who that person is, not what they want to look
like or be like.” - Tya
Tya: Okay, unity to me means putting forth the effort and being
unselfish to another, also putting differences aside and vibing with one
another.
Styyles: Daria, how do you feel unity ties into being a photographer?
Daria: It’s very important for me to have a connection with who I’m dealing with, regardless of who they are and where they are from. If I don’t then I can’t get that honesty.
Tya: Actually, that’s what I was going to say. Daria says all the good words (laughs). No, but really there are younger photographers coming up that WOW me but I don’t want to be like them, I just admire their work. It’s important to pass on to another generation, which is a family. Unity is like a family.
Styyles: Tya, can you explain to me what defines you or inspires you?
Tya: I think what inspires me most is reality. I think when I shoot someone I want to know who that person is, not what they want to look like or be like. I think that’s why I take time with my photo shoots, because I like to pull that out of a person. I want to see what a person truly is and not what you want to portray.
Styyles: What keeps you motivated with photography?
Tya: What keeps me motivated with photography is the fact that I want to keep growing and do a better shoot than the last one.
Styyles: Daria, who or what inspires you?
Daria: There is no one person or thing. There is nothing that I look at and say “damn I wish I can shoot like that.” I see a lot of talented photographers but the ones that stand out the most are the ones with heart and passion for the art.
Styyles: Tya, how did you get into photography?
Tya: I would have to say it’s always been in my hands since I was in the sixth grade. My father would let me take his camera at the end of the school year. I would take pictures of friends and make collages and create stories behind it. I did photography for a friend’s family wedding and they loved my pictures better than the wedding photographer’s. I try to have a conversation with a person that I’m doing a photo shoot for so they will feel comfortable. It really is hereditary in my family and then with my best friend Daria of seventeen years. She pushed me to go back to school, take classes together and just make it happen. That’s what unity is all about.
Styyles: Daria, how did you get into photography?
Daria: My father is a photographer, he used to take me on his photo shoots and I really didn’t appreciate it and didn’t really get into it until I had my son. I wanted to remember him and things he’s done because I really didn’t have pictures of myself growing up. As a child I did but not as a teenager or now an adult. I’m not fond of pictures, I have one honest picture of myself and I love it because it’s so natural.
Styyles: Daria, how do you feel about unity in the fashion industry?
Daria: I think being a textile artist is a little harder for them to unify because for a collaborative effort it takes a lot of compromise. I think it can be done but I don’t know how because it’s totally different than photography.
Tya: I totally understand what you are saying as far as Baltimore not having the unity here like it should. It’s nothing like Philly which is the “City of Brotherly Love.” Also, you have to think about the opportunity, which I feel we have been slighted from for so long that some people are stuck in that condition.
Styyles: Daria, in your endeavors as a photographer where do you see it going or where would you like for it to go?
Daria: As far as business I’ve had a lot of people say that they love my work and most who have seen my work have enjoyed it but aren’t willing to pay for it. So it leaves me to believe that I don’t need to be in Baltimore. Not that I’m crazy expensive, it’s just the fact that people are looking for a deal or hookup. I believe if you really love something or enjoy something you will do what you need to do to pay for it. I have been coming across a lot of road blocks but I pray that it grows.
Styyles: What’s next for Daria?
Daria: I’m looking to get transferred to the Maryland Institute of
Communication and Arts. I need to decide if I’m going to be a
photographer or graphic designer or do both. I definitely need to be
paid, whatever decision I make.
“It’s very important for me to have a connection with who I’m dealing
with, regardless of who they are and where they are from. If I don’t
then I can’t get that honesty.” - Daria
Tya: I think Daria has gone out on a limb by not working a nine-to-five job for three years. She has lived off her art and that’s remarkable. She hasn’t worked a nine to five since November 2003. I want to be able to live off my art. I want photography to be my career and not just a hobby. Personally I want to move to Philly, not because of anyone or thing in particular or to get away. I just think they embrace you and they aren’t cutthroat like Baltimore.
Daria: Here is a pretty example of what happens to me as a photographer or anyone who has a set rate in what they do. I don’t come to your job to haggle your salary so don’t come to me as a photographer and try to haggle my salary. This is what its worth to me and what I’ve put into my work. Appreciate my talent and craft. I’m real about my talent as a photographer.
Styyles: Tya, what is next for you?
Tya: January 1st 2007, I made a commitment to myself that at least every week or every other week I would shoot someone for my book and I have held true to that. I’m up to twenty-five that will be used for my book and my goal is to have one hundred images in my book. By the end of the year I need to have ninety-nine percent of my book completed. After I complete the book I would love to do shows and possibly sell the book.
Styyles: You can actually answer this simultaneously if you like. This meeting was pretty much about my fashion show coming up June 30th. Do you have any expectation about the show and your role as the press for the show?
Tya & Daria: Well we aren’t the paparazzi of photography. It’s about being a part of the moment, enjoying the moment and capturing the moment. We will be in the background and out of the way. As far as the show, you are not going to let it flop so that’s all I got to say. You will have people bleeding from the eyes and we will capture it (laughs). So there is no worry.
Styyles: Sounds good enough to me. Well, this has been an enjoyable and memorable interview with Tya Anthony and Daria Johnson. Until next time, be fashionable and don’t let anyone steal your joy.