EP 107 - Directing, Shooting, and Dreaming Bigger with Tiana Michele
This week I’m joined by New York based photographer and director Tiana Michele, whose creative journey perfectly blends art, risk-taking, and reinvention.
We met at Nikon’s Creator Camp in Utah, and I was instantly drawn to her work and the way she tells stories through both photo and film. In this episode, we dive into how she transitioned from weddings to directing short films, the beauty of collaboration, and what it really looks like to keep evolving as an artist.
Meet Tiana
Tiana is a Sierra Leonean-American photographer, director, and writer based in New York City. She has a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography. She began taking photos in 2020, during the pandemic after taking a break from dance immediately after graduating. She works with film and digital format and much of her personal work is inspired by things happening in the world around us with an emphasis in feminism, fashion, movement, and things she has dealt with personally as a third culture woman of color. Her most recent notable work in film is her directorial debut Manspread.
Stepping Into New Roles
Tiana’s journey into directing is such a good reminder that growth usually lives right on the edge of fear. She talked about how she’s been intentionally stepping into new spaces, from photo to film, learning as she goes, and letting curiosity lead the way.
From Weddings to Film
Starting in weddings gave Tiana a foundation in storytelling, but directing opened a completely new world for her. She shared how moving from documenting love stories to *directing* them taught her to see emotion and connection differently — and it’s completely changed the way she shoots.
Collaboration and Creative Risks
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing about her short film, Man Spread. What started as a photo series turned into a full short film that flips traditional gender roles in such a clever, thought-provoking way. It all came together through collaboration — proof that great ideas can grow from simple beginnings when you have the right people around you.
Staying Grounded in the Hustle
Like many of us, Tiana juggles a lot - shoots, edits, film projects, brand work - but her system is refreshingly simple: Google Calendar. We laughed about how creatives are often chasing balance, but sometimes the best system is just finding something that works and sticking with it.
Final Thoughts
Tiana’s story is such a great example of what it looks like to build a creative career on your own terms. She’s not afraid to evolve, try new things, and take risks - and that’s exactly what keeps her art so alive.
Keep an eye out for her upcoming short film (already in pre-production!), and definitely go follow her to see what she’s creating next.
Connect with Tiana:
Website: tianamichelephoto.com
Instagram and TikTok: @bytianamichele
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