Today we’d like to introduce you to TJ Webb.
TJ, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I realized that I was decent at taking photos my Junior year of high school when I took my first Photo Journalism class. While the instructor had assigned me to do busy work, I had taken the camera home and used my brother as a model for portraits.
The following Christmas I received a Canon camera and went nuts. I took the camera to art galleries, basement shows, and vacations, and when I ran out of things to take photos of I went and found it. Through my photo taking the journey I have self-identified as both a photographer and a transgender man.
I am now majoring in film and minoring in photography at the University of North Texas and a self-described trans creative. You can find me selling my art pieces at local Denton house venues, creating short films, and, of course, taking photos.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Gender dysphoria can be defined as a conflict between a person’s physical or assigned sex and the gender that they identify with. A big part of relating my gender identity to my art expression is taking pictures of those parts of me that make me feel gender dysphoria.
As of right now, I am four months on testosterone and counting. The photos I take are a constant reminder that I am ever changing, and slowly but surely becoming into the body that I should have been born into.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I consider my artistry a brand. I run my own brand as TJ Makes. As of now, I have focused mainly on photography as I’ve shot several portrait sessions, but I’ve also been commissioned to shoot videos for concert sets and personal projects. I hope to expand this brand as I’ve also grown interest in performing poetry and even displaying some studio art pieces.
I am most proud of the art galleries I have been a part of as well as selling my prints at local Denton venues. I love listening to people tell me how my photos make them feel, it fills me with pride.
My brand can easily be set aside from the fact that I am both a creative and an openly transgender man. Often times, the trans community isn’t given a whole lot of representation in… well, anything really, but especially in Fine Arts.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My gender identity also relates to my career as my mission is to give that space to those that are both transgender and creatives to create without boundaries or limitations. A huge part of not understanding my identity for such a long time was because I never saw anybody like me.
If the trans community is given this space, trans kids like me can finally assign something to what they’re feeling. I want to be a trailblazer for my community and our continuous journey to global acceptance.
Pricing:
- Portrait sessions start at $75 and go by the hour.
- Event photography starts at $90 and go by the hour.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tjmakes.com
- Phone: 4693534766
- Email: tjwebbmakes@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjmakes
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tjwebbmakes
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tjmakes
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzUwxi0HF1O7e0BtLJ5vH7g
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
