Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyran Bolton.
Hi Tyran, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Tyran — a storyteller with a camera, capturing authentic moments filled with emotion, laughter, and connection. My love for photography began in high school while working on our yearbook team, which sparked a deeper appreciation for visual storytelling. After graduation, I pursued Fine Arts in college, but life took me on a different path — straight into a career in hospitality.
Hospitality gave me something I craved: connection. It allowed me to experience the world through travel, and along the way, I fell in love with exploring new places and perspectives. I often found myself wishing I could freeze those moments — the ones that made me pause and truly feel.
For 18 years, my corporate journey took me to incredible places, but deep down, I knew something was missing. I asked myself: What will I do with everything I’ve learned? The answer was clear — create something for myself. That’s when I designed a 25-year retirement plan to merge my love for travel and art with my passion for photography. My ultimate goal? To become an editorial travel photographer, capturing the beauty of the world as I see it.
I met an incredible photographer whom I deeply admired and shared my interest in learning photography, asking if he would mentor me. He agreed, with just one condition — that I attend his church. From there, he graciously invited me to assist during his photoshoots.
While he appreciated my passion for photography, I quickly realized my strength lay in connecting with people — helping with styling and posing clients to make them feel comfortable. That became my role during our two-year apprenticeship as I worked on developing my own photography style.
As time went on, I continued assisting him, but within a year, clients began noticing me. Whenever he couldn’t take on a gig, he trusted me to handle the shoot. That trust marked the beginning of my transition from assistant to independent photographer.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, the road has been relatively smooth for me because I’ve always believed in turning my passions into something profitable. Growing up, I knew that if I could make a living doing what I love, I’d never struggle with “creative block.” For me, the real question was never if I could succeed, but how far my potential could take me.
My background in customer service and my experience as a General Manager in the corporate world played a huge role in preparing me for entrepreneurship. I learned the ins and outs of contracts, budgeting, forecasting, and even the art of navigating crucial conversations. These skills gave me a strong foundation to run my photography business with confidence and professionalism, so instead of struggling, I saw challenges as opportunities to grow.
I also have to give credit to my friends Bobby and James, who have been instrumental in my business journey. When clients started requesting videography, they stepped up without hesitation. Together, we spent countless hours on YouTube, learning the craft, and leaning on the guidance of industry friends who saw me not as competition but as a fellow creative with a vision. That kind of support and collaboration has been invaluable in shaping the business I have today. I’m also incredibly grateful to all the fellow creatives who welcomed me into their world — letting me assist on projects, second shoot weddings, and even book me for high-profile clients. That generosity not only helped me sharpen my craft but also expand my network in ways I never imagined.
And then there’s my dad — I joke that he works in marketing for my business because he’s my biggest billboard! No matter where we go, he’s promoting me to everyone he meets. It’s comical, but it means the world to have that kind of unwavering support from family and friends.
My family and friends often encourage me to go full-time with photography, but honestly, my corporate job plays a huge role in funding my dreams. That’s something I want every creative to understand — it’s okay to work a 9-to-5 while building your passion. Your day job doesn’t diminish your creativity; it can actually empower it by giving you the stability and resources to grow your vision on your own terms.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve heard photographers say time and time again that you need a niche to be successful/profitable. Honestly? I’ve never believed that. For me, as long as I have a subject in front of my lens, magic is going to happen. People often assume everyone I photograph is a model — but that’s not the case. My specialty is helping everyday people discover their inner model and step into their confidence.
I’m a photographer passionate about capturing authentic, emotion-filled moments that tell real stories. While I work across a variety of genres — portraits, events, lifestyle shoots, and weddings — my true specialty is creating images that feel genuine and deeply connected. My goal is always the same: make people feel completely comfortable so their true personality shines through every frame.
What makes me proud isn’t just the photos, but the experience I create for my clients. It’s about trust, connection, and turning meaningful moments into lasting memories. Hearing clients say working with me feels easy and fun — and then seeing my images become profile photos, appear on billboards, and feature on professional websites — that’s the ultimate reward.
What truly sets me apart is the fusion of creativity, style, and hospitality. Growing up in New Orleans, the most hospitable city in the world, connection is part of my DNA. The camera is simply the tool I use to bring that spirit to life.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories comes from growing up as the oldest of six — and that’s actually where my brand name, OneOf6, comes from. Being the oldest taught me responsibility, leadership, and the power of connection, especially with my siblings.
Creativity runs deep in our family: one sister is an incredible braider, another is an esthetician and makeup artist, and the third is a talented stylist. At one point, we even started a business together! The idea was simple but powerful — one sister would style the client, another would do their makeup, and I would capture it all through photography. We worked as a team for almost a year before each of us branched off to pursue our individual passions. It was such an amazing experience and proof of what we could create together.
Growing up with young parents, life was humble, but what I loved most was the unwavering support from my community. Neighbors and friends always believed in me, telling me they could see my potential — even when I was a handful! I loved school, though it never gave me a real creative outlet. Those early experiences, combined with my upbringing, shaped my resilience and prepared me for life’s challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oneof6.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneof6iix/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneOf6iix/
- Other: https://www.oneof6.com/links?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeEKgq3UxhLDXo0r1-S26Y7-hq3boZSyRW9Sbr7uwzLNoZBa-p21z0jpCBeZw_aem_n8nne9KABOWQX8ut–T1Ww
