Today we’d like to introduce you to DeArtae Comanche.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey as a videographer didn’t start with a camera — it started with music. Long before I ever pressed record, I was an artist first. Music taught me how to feel, how to translate emotion, and how to build worlds out of nothing but sound. Eventually, I realized I didn’t just want people to hear my stories — I wanted them to see them.
Back in 2020, right in the middle of a time when the world felt uncertain, I made the decision that changed everything: I wanted to be a full-time videographer and photographer. I didn’t have a big team, a studio, or expensive gear. What I had was hunger, curiosity, and a belief that visuals could push my creativity even further as an artist. Picking up a camera felt natural. It felt like an extension of the same energy I poured into my songs.
At first, I was shooting anything I could — portraits, behind-the-scenes moments, small music videos for friends. But every project taught me something. I learned how to solve problems fast, how to adapt, how to tell a story through light, motion, color, and timing. Eventually, people started coming to me because they saw something different in my work — the perspective of someone who wasn’t just filming, but feeling. Someone who knew how the artist’s mind worked because I was one.
The more I created, the clearer my vision became. Being behind the camera didn’t take me away from my artistry — it expanded it. It gave me a new way to control my narrative and help other people shape theirs. What started as a way to elevate my own music evolved into a full creative career. Now I’m not just documenting moments — I’m building visuals that outlive them.
My journey is still growing, still unfolding. But everything traces back to 2020 — the year I decided to bet on myself, trust my creative instincts, and build a lane where my love for music and visuals could exist together. And that’s what continues to drive me every time I pick up the camera: turning raw ideas into something powerful, something seen, something remembered.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road — more like a grind that taught me who I really am. When I started in 2020, I was stepping into a world that demanded everything: time, money, patience, consistency, and a level of confidence I hadn’t fully developed yet. One of the hardest parts was balancing being an artist and building myself up as a videographer at the same time. I was learning both crafts simultaneously — developing my eye behind the lens while still trying to find my voice in music.
Another struggle was resources. When you’re starting out, the gear you want and the gear you can afford are two different things. I had to maximize what I had, learn to shoot creatively, and push myself to make things look bigger than my budget. There were moments when shoots weren’t perfect, when clients didn’t understand the process, or when I questioned if I was really built for this.
And honestly, the mental part was the toughest. Staying motivated when you don’t see results right away, trusting your path, and learning to keep creating even when things aren’t smooth — that takes a lot of self-belief. Especially when you’re trying to make a name for yourself in both music and visuals.
But every challenge sharpened me. Every setback taught me how to adapt. The struggle forced me to get better, more resourceful, more intentional. And looking back, those tough moments are the reason my work has depth — because I had to work for it, not just capture it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work sits at the crossroads of art, storytelling, and community. I’m a videographer, photographer, and recording artist — all tied together by one mission: turning real life into visuals you can feel. I specialize in street-inspired, emotionally grounded visuals that blend grit with intention. Because I’m an artist myself, I approach every project with that mindset. I don’t just shoot what something looks like — I shoot what it means. That’s what a lot of people say I’m known for: depth, mood, and an ability to capture people in their truest form.
Alongside my creative work, I also run a small health and wellness brand where I sell natural products, including sea moss. I’ve always believed in taking care of the body and the mind, and offering products that helped me personally felt like a natural extension of my purpose.
One of the most unexpected parts of my story happened recently — I was arrested after officers mistook my sea moss inventory for marijuana. It was a stressful situation, and definitely not something I ever imagined dealing with as a health entrepreneur. But instead of letting that moment define me, I used it to fuel my purpose. It taught me a lot about resilience, misrepresentation, and how quickly your life can shift even when you’re doing everything right. That experience, as crazy as it was, pushed me to advocate for myself and continue educating people about natural products.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve built everything from scratch — my skills, my brand, my style, my name. Nothing was handed to me. Every lesson, every setback, every win, and even the misunderstandings along the way have shaped the creative I am today. I think what sets me apart is that my work comes from a real place. I’m not just filming to get a shot — I’m filming to tell a truth, whether it’s mine or someone else’s.
My journey is raw, unconventional, and sometimes messy, but that’s exactly what gives my visuals soul. And that’s what keeps me pushing: turning my experiences — good and bad — into something meaningful.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think risk is a part of every real journey. You can’t build anything meaningful without stepping into something unsure, uncomfortable, or unfamiliar. To me, risk isn’t about being reckless — it’s about believing in something enough to move forward even when you don’t have every piece figured out.
One of the biggest risks I ever took was in 2020, when I decided to pursue videography and photography full-time. I was starting from zero — no blueprint, no financial cushion, just passion and a vision. It was a gamble on myself. I walked away from stability, and I walked toward a career that required me to learn fast, fail publicly, invest money I didn’t always have, and put my name on work that wasn’t perfect yet. But that risk is the reason I’m where I am today.
Another major risk came from my health business. When you’re selling natural products — especially things people aren’t fully educated on like sea moss — you’re stepping into a space where misunderstanding is common. Getting arrested because my sea moss was mistaken for marijuana was a perfect example of that. It was a risk I didn’t expect to face, but it forced me to stand on what I do, educate people, and not let a misunderstanding stop me from building something positive for my community. Taking that hit publicly and still choosing to keep going was its own kind of risk.
To me, risk is tied to purpose. If I’m risking something just for ego, I don’t move. But if I’m risking something because it aligns with who I am — my creativity, my business, my integrity, my art — then I’m willing to jump. Every major shift in my life happened because I took a step when I wasn’t “ready” on paper, but I was ready in spirit.
Risk isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s deciding to start anyway, keep going anyway, or reinvent yourself anyway. That’s the kind of risk that’s shaped my entire journey.
Pricing:
- Contact me for pricing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.riceandgravytv.co.site
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjiSbY1zG/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://a.co/d/h3DmQrr
Image Credits
Rice & Gravy Visualz
DeArtaeEst1984™️
