Today we’d like to introduce you to Tumi Adeleye.
Tumi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My favorite part about visual storytelling is modeling and creative directing. I started on a heavy 2003 Acer laptop when I was in high school living in Lagos. I used my mother’s clothes and makeup and the shared house laptop to create a little fashion show in my room. It was my alone time when nobody was home and something to look forward my parents are gone for part of the day. My passion went dead silent in my college days, then manifested again after graduating. At this stage in my life, I was in the process of waking up, finding my identity while learning to deeply understand and love myself. I invested my time in my creative urges, became vulnerable in front of the camera and behind it. A few shots later, I realized that I wanted to tell stories and moods with the ideas I put together for my shoots and share it with the world; that’s where I am now.
Great, 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?
My life was never destined for smoothness, like many of my people. I’m a product of anger, secrets, trauma and most importantly, patience. I’m not the wisest person but I’m smart enough to learn from my own mistakes. Within the struggling time, I got carried away, I wasn’t exactly self-aware but I have ability to look back at situations and learn how they might have affected me. The dead silent college stage I mentioned was a culmination of childishness and submissiveness, I think. I gave myself to people in a way that I didn’t to myself, so I basically pleased everyone but me. It was definitely a toxic vibe in the moment because it was easier than taking steps to discover myself. But once I did start creating, I had relevant struggles, things that many creatives go through. I’m grateful for the relevant creative struggles I experience, it just lets me know that good and bad times are being well spent on what matters to me.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a creative director/model. The modeling part is only a product of self-creative directing. When I feel drawn to create, I typically use myself as the center on attention. It just makes the process of telling a story or conveying a mood easier. It’s cathartic when it’s just a photographer making magic and me. It’s also scary and beautiful when it’s just me putting a set/idea together. It’s like the ultimate moment when I’m using my hands and mind to create a vision I felt and sometimes dreamt about. My favorite part in creating is also editing the photos from my shoots. It’s the cherry on top of the vision I’ve created.
What I’m most proud of is also what sets me apart. I dream a ton because I’m a huge napper, this is my astrological destiny. Where my ideas come from, I don’t know but I feel them and see them in vivid colors when I shut my eyes. These dreams manifest themselves at their own time, so I’ve learned to wait, jot what I can remember and be humble with what I put forth on the day I’m ready to create.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I can’t single out one event as a favorite memory, so I’d say the favorite part of my childhood was my move from New York to Lagos to Texas. These phases, transitions, and adaptations were interesting, to say the least but I’m so grateful for it because I gained invaluable experiences and insight.
Contact Info:
- Email: tumieadeleye@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Color in the Box & Hiding in Color – @ttumie
Pink Oil – @thefifographer
Black Fairy – @risingslens
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
