Today we’d like to introduce you to Valissa Tate.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was a child who went missing, went through foster care at the age of three years old for a year and I was put in special education because I was a child who needed extreme mental help. In class, I would space out all the time and hear voices. I had extreme ADHD and later was diagnosed with an emotional disorder; However, these factors I believe played a huge role in my artwork, way of thinking, and achievements. Through much therapy, my mother put me through I was able to slowly become a little bit more normal and much happier as time flew. In middle school intelligence came to me really fast suddenly. I become extremely smart. In high school, I was in all AP classes and worked two jobs while at it. I went through what any other teenager went through, but as I aged I would put myself at a 3rd person perspective. It was me vs the world. I’ve always been different from others. I had to work 3 times harder than my classmates to achieve good grades and even then I suffered. I also struggled to understand people and relationships. I wasn’t sure if anybody was my friend or if I could really trust them. I assumed it was due to my natural nature of ADHD later on because I hear that people with ADHD are wired differently from other people.
There were also times when I was doubted and times when I failed miserably, but that definitely was not going to stop me. It made me want to show the world what I got. I remember I was a hobbyist for photography since 8th grade, but I was greatly challenged and realized I wanted to truly find my place in the art of photography and video. I wrote a book (nonpublished or finished) with many visual sketches of camera lenses, parts and how to use them. I went from the last place in the SkillsUSA competition to 5th place in the SkillsUSA competition in a single year out of let’s say, 40 competitors? I later that summer medaled bronze in photography nationally in the ACT-SO competition hosted by the NAACP. I believed I competed against 30-40 competitors in my category nationally. That previous summer, I won a silver medal nationally for my painting in the ACT-SO competition. It was my first acrylic. I’ve always been an artist. I believe part of it was genetics and part of it is the passion to learn and to strive.
The painting last year was about astral/ethereal projection dreaming. It’s very rare and it is when you are having an out of the body experience. You are basically a spirit roaming around in the real world during real-time. Time moves very quickly in the astral projection dream though even though it’s in the real world. I really wanted to educate people on how it felt and what it is through my painting. The photography piece that won this year over the summer was about how I am connected to life yet disconnected to reality. The photo is based on memory: I remember when I was 8 or 9, I would sometimes sit in front of the front door. I can’t remember if I had a book this time but usually I would have a book with me to read. My surroundings well the kitchen was right next to me and the front door. It was very light wood. Like birch wood but polished. A giant golden mirror. It was a circular dining room. The window was on the same wall as the front door. A significant amount of light was seeping through filling the room with natural white soft light. The front door was dark wood. There was a glass window in the door. Light seeped through where it shined down on me. I would shift and see how the rainbows would form through the light in my eyes. Play with it. I looked closely at all the little dust particles floating in the soft white light. I would imagine the dust as little people. Like they were actually live. I was connected to my surroundings hyper-focused which is ironic because I have ADHD. This was a constant thing because I would sometimes touch my skin or hair and focus on the texture and wonder about how it was made or why these little bumps are there or how they form. I was especially interested in light and perspective in my eyes. Sometimes, I would push my hands against my eyes to see the little stars and I would lay down and watch them. It didn’t hurt at all but I didn’t realize I was blinding my eyes. I would also be distracted by sound where I space out through the sound. I was extremely perceptive but I was also disconnected from the world, from reality. I was connected and disconnected at the same time.
Now, I think I am a normal individual and I am very happy. I think I have a lot of wisdom that I would love to share with the world. I want to teach people to keep an open positive mind. Sometimes, good comes from bad things. It can go as vast as you make it be. One day, I will go as far as owning my own film studio and photography studio, working for companies such as universal studios, inspiring others and showing the world a new perspective. I think my goal in life is to strive, achieve, inspire and share my wisdom and experiences through my artwork.
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?
It has not been a very smooth road. As I mentioned, I went through ADHD and an emotional disorder among other life tragedies. The worst part of it was understanding people and relationships. It was very hard to connect to people and to understand if they were my friend or not or if they truly cared about me. As a kid, I would space out a lot and was extremely hyperactive. I also had a bit of frustration issues. I would get easily frustrated and emotional, but thanks to the support of my mom and all the therapy I went through I think I am the opposite of all of that. I do struggle to understand people and relationships from time to time, but neither the less I’ve learned to put myself at a 3rd person perspective and realize that people are people. We do things to be happy or satisfied. Everyone has their own flaws and their own beauty. And I think I enjoy putting a smile on people’s faces and to show them the same perspective I have after struggling to understand relationships.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I specialize in photography and videography. I enjoy making music videos and movies. I would see myself as a creative director and the videographer over anything. I also run a business in photography. I do portraits, landscapes, and just all the photography that exists. I enjoy it all!! I am willing to learn all sorts of photography. I also used to shoot football games as sometimes the cameraman, director or technical director. Those were my favorite positions. I also paint every now and then. It’s very relaxing. What I am most proud of is that I am able to provide the creative part of the work and through years of cramming and learning about the technical parts of a camera, I can now execute a truly expressive image when desired. There is a difference between taking a photo and capturing something that makes you think, wonder and be blown away. I strive to help others tell their stories as well. I sometimes look at myself as a scientific artist. When I am creating art about mental illness, the afterlife or dreams I would conduct a lot of research to make sure I apply all the elements needed to sincerely express the subject in my artwork.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
When someone challenges you, take it. Show them you can get twice further than they’ve ever imagined. When overcome by a struggle, look at it as an opportunity to create something positive and amazing about it. The bad does not always mean the outcome of bad. Sometimes, it leads to greater things. Things beyond your dreams and expectations… one more thing… success in life means to not make all the money in the world but to be happy. If you are truly happy where you are then you are successful; However, you can always reach a higher place than where you already are. Always keep striving!!
Pricing:
- Photoshoots: $100 for 4 photos, $150 for 7, $185 for 10.
- Headshots: $50/photo
- Music video: $350 (prices may vary depending on the type of equipment needed)
- Events for video or photography: $75/hr
- Weddings (50-100 photos); $800
- Additional photographer/videography (recommended for multiple angles): $600
Contact Info:
- Email: davactphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: Empyrean_luna
Image Credit:
Profile picture – David Cardoso-Ramirez
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