Meet Tina Reeves | Director, Director photography (DP), and Photographer

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

Hi Tina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I want to create more opportunities for myself and other black creatives. Many people have benefited and capitalized on our culture for many, many years and reaping all the benefits. I see a significant gap that needs to be filled, and I feel it’s my responsibility to help cultivate these creative spaces especially for women.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a storyteller using my lens to touch, move and inspire people. What I am most proud of is going back to school and investing in myself. During the pandemic, I did some soul searching and thought about what truly brings me joy, then is when I decided to go back to school to become a director of photography. What sets me apart is that I am committed to creating opportunities and giving women that look like me the platform to share their stories through film and photography. I am most excited about connecting and collaborating with others in creating historical projects and celebrating culture. I got to this point through many trials and errors, blood, sweat, and tears. It has been challenging but well worth it. I overcame the challenges by being committed to achieving my goals and not attaching myself to the outcome, practicing patience, and showing myself grace. Lessons I have learned are the importance of being organized, scheduling, communication and bookkeeping, all of which I am still mastering.

I want people to know that you can face adversity and challenges in life, and you don’t have to let those be defining moments. You can choose how you want to show up in this world no matter where you come from or what you’ve been through. Where I come from and my upbringing, the odds were stacked against me, but I stand here today ten toes down, ready to conquer the world. I want the world to know that I want to make a difference in the production world and tell stories of black and brown people, and I am committed to implementing the long-overdue change I want to see in this industry.

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?
Well, I am a foodie so we would have to do a LA food tour. Starting with breakfast at Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood, followed by a private yoga, boxing, and meditation. session on the beach in Marina Del Rey with Raea Brauer (@namast.rae). Lunchtime at Beachwood Cafe and My Two Cents for dinner. The next day Disneyland is a must. I would treat my friend to a reiki session with my life coach and reiki master Susanna Lovell (@mamapeace) followed by a hike at Griffith Observatory to see all the beautiful city views. We would go to Sixty Four and Hope to grab some goodies and do some shopping. That night we would go salsa dancing at La Descarga. We would enjoy a day of pampering with hair cuts by Asia Walker at A Curly Walk Studio, mani + pedi’s with Son at Pampered Hands (7215 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles CA), ending with massages by Liticia (@Liticiareeves). Lastly, have a day of relaxation, where we do absolutely nothing.

A list of restaurants I would take my best friend:
Comfort LA
Stevie’s Creole
Harold and Belles
Simply Wholesome
Poppy + Rose
Post & Beam
Earle’s
Grilled Fraiche

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My sister Jo, my Abuela, and my family overall have always been my biggest supporters when it came to anything I wanted to pursue. Jo has always been a fantastic mentor, my voice of reason, and if she didn’t have the answer to my question(s), she would help me figure it out. That said, I dedicate this shoutout to my sister Jo. At the tender age of 12 she raised my siblings and I. She has always put everyone before herself.

Website: www.tinareevesvisuals.com

Instagram: @tinreevesvisuals

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-reeves-11528060/

Twitter: mstinareeves

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tina.legz.752/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/t-reeves-group-los-angeles?osq=treeves+group

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBkUb6rEGp0HlAG4SCwnBuA