Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaiah Davis.
Hi Isaiah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I first picked up my camera at the start of COVID-19 during my sophomore year of high school. One night, I grabbed my $50 Nikon Coolpix and began capturing the adventures my friends and I would go on (after the mandate to gather was lifted, of course). I started creating short videos that I posted on TikTok, imagining them as mini-movies. Sometimes, they would document trips, and other times, they would just take long shots of a field. I remember a girl in my class found my page and mocked me for it. She sent it to all her friends, saying the videos I made were weird and described them as “emo” and “depressing,” which intimidated me and made me hesitant to create more. During that period of my life, I was battling many mental health struggles, and making these videos and capturing these photos with my friends helped me express some of the deeper feelings I was experiencing without even realizing it. Creating art, no matter the quality, became a beautiful release for me.
After a year of playing college basketball, I suffered some career-ending injuries, and my mental health hit an all-time low. I then came to Nashville to attend Lipscomb University, where I met my roommate, Ian MacGinnis, a musician. I grabbed my camera and began following him around to shows. I started taking pictures for artists all over Nashville and fell in love with every aspect of photography. The passion for creating something I felt in high school returned, but this time, something was different. I wanted to fully commit to this passion and create things I had only dreamed of.
All I have ever wanted to do is capture rich emotion in my work, and after a year or so of shooting, I began to find my style. Through my connections at Lipscomb, I was able to shoot for Dolly Parton, Ernest, and more music stars than I could have ever dreamed of. Now, I’ve been able to direct music videos that have been nominated at film festivals, have my photos published in fashion magazines, capture weddings in scenic locations, and design graphics for artists all around Nashville. If you had told that kid during COVID that he would become a full-time photographer and director, he would have called you crazy. But it has been a blessing to live out my dream.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road I have been on to get to this place has been among my life’s most challenging but most rewarding aspects. One of the biggest challenges in my creative journey is living up to what my full potential can be. My background in athletics plays a significant role in this. Constantly comparing myself to other artists, like I used to compare myself to other players, and striving for improvement to be the best, can lead to an unhealthy mindset when it comes to art. I’ve had to train myself to avoid comparing my artwork to that of others. Instead, I focus on finding inspiration in what others create, learning from it, and using that knowledge to develop something unique to myself. Comparison is the thief of joy, and we live in a world that encourages constant comparison, so finding my voice amid that noise has been a significant challenge.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to refer to myself as a “visual creative” because I find it challenging to fit into just one category. I direct music videos and short films, but the staple of my work is centered on photography. Capturing people during performances, in studio settings, at their wedding, or for album cover art has become a hallmark of what I do.
I specialize in emphasizing color, which helps convey the emotions I want to evoke in my images and films. What sets me apart from others is my willingness to bend the rules of light and color. While many people shy away from harsh sunlight, I embrace it. I often bring along my flash to add even more light, allowing me to create unique visuals that others might avoid because they are waiting for perfect conditions. I believe that the imperfections in an image or film contribute to its character and vitality.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For those who are just starting out, shoot anything and everything. Explore subjects that ignite your creativity. When I feel the need to try something different, I often write a script, play guitar, or practice self-portraits. Allow yourself the freedom to create, and don’t let comparison hold you back.
Bringing my camera to concerts, doing street photography in random cities, and filming B-roll of friends have taught me so much, often without me even realizing it. Sometimes, creating isn’t just about making a living; it’s about producing something that is pure and authentic. So, keep creating and feel free to bend the rules!
Pricing:
- Concert Photos: $150
- Portraits: $300
- Live Sessions: $150 per song
- Music Videos: Varies on Budget
- Studio: $300
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Zayfilmz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zayfilmz/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Zayfilm
