Today we’d like to introduce you to Tega Okperuvwe
Hi Tega, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey in the arts began in 8th grade, which. Was almost 10 years ago now. My love for cameras was sparked when I decided to take photojournalism as an elective course. I started out shooting plants and focused on still life photography, the summer before my freshman year of high school my dad got me my own dslr and I would shoot any chance I got. I used to hop on my bike and go to different spots around town and take pictures there. Once I started high school, i joined the yearbook program and I was exposed to so much about photography, and that class was where I discovered how much I love shooting portraits and just people in general. Shortly after, during my sophomore year, I dropped yearbook class to persue my own photography career while in high school. At the time, I was mainly shooting self portraits, I knew that I wanted to be a model and a photographer so I thought that it would be good practice, and it was. Everything that I know about composition and framing of a subject, narratives, and storytelling, I learned from my journey as a self portrait photographer. It didn’t take long for my talents to be recognized, my junior year of high school I had the privilege of meeting a producer Nell Constantinople. She was visiting my church one day to scout for a documentary she was making, she originally wanted to only include my dad’s story as an immigrant pastor but she noticed me and thought that it would be interesting to give me a segment in the documentary since Richard linklater, who was the point of connection in the doc, related to my story since we’re both creatives that grew up in small town huntsville. Getting featured in the documentary changed my life and my view towards what I do, it motivated me to take photography even more seriously and that I did. I started my photography business TegaOkPhoto shortly after and by my senior year I had already landed 3 paying clients. After high school, I took a sharp turn and attended University of Houston as a computer information systems major, thinking that was where the money was at, but I quickly realized how impossible it is for me to be passionate about what I’m going to school for. I was still getting clients at the time and was still taking photos for work and for myself, and on top of that I was working as the university photographer for the school, I felt torn because everything in my life was telling me to persue the arts but I didn’t listen. After my freshman year I transferred to Sam Houston and went back to living with my parents. That summer was rough for me because I felt like I failed my mission by coming back home, where I started, it was that feeling that inspired me to take my self portraits to the next level, that when I started the kid magazine. The kid magazine was a monthly digital magazine that I would theme around my mental processes and what I was experiencing in my life at the time. The first issue was called back in black because everything I was going through at UH made me pause on photography for a while. Once I was at Sam I switched my major to photography BFA , and I couldn’t be happier. I dived in head on into the world of art, I’ve learned how to paint and draw with so many different mediums, how to process and develop my own film, and I’ve made so many connections. My favorite memory from my years at sam Houston was when I went to New York for fashion week in 2023 and met my friend and mentor Cameron reed, whose style influenced a lot of my work. Now I try and implement my other passions and try and combine them with my photography, my biggest projects these past few months heave been the bk markets, which are thrifting events that I throw on campus with the help of my campus organization The Talented Tenth Inc. and good ol times, my friends resale shop. Throwing these events and marketing them opened my eyes to the world of promotional photography and telling the stories of businesses and events that happen around town. I’m working closely with different downtown businesses to plan and market events that bring campus life to the rest of the city.
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?
Pursuing photography and the arts has been one of the most fulfilling decisions of my life, but it hasn’t come without its challenges. As I continue to grow in my craft, I’ve realized that passion alone isn’t enough to sustain a career—it takes strategy, resilience, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing industry.
One of the biggest challenges I face is financial uncertainty. Photography requires constant investment, from upgrading equipment to funding personal projects. While I’ve been able to land paid clients and even start my own business, maintaining a steady income through photography alone is difficult. Balancing commercial work with personal artistic projects is something I’m still learning to navigate, especially as I take on more promotional photography and event marketing.
Another struggle is balancing creativity with business. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through photography, whether it’s self-portraits or capturing people’s lives. However, working with businesses means sometimes having to adjust my vision to fit their needs. Finding a way to merge my artistic style with client expectations without losing my creative identity is a challenge I continue to work through.
Self-doubt and burnout are also inevitable parts of this journey. There have been times when I’ve questioned my path, like when I transferred schools and felt like I was back at square one. The pressure to constantly create, stay relevant, and meet expectations can be overwhelming. But every setback has pushed me to evolve, like when I used that difficult period to create The Kid Magazine as an outlet for my emotions.
Lastly, standing out in such a competitive industry is an ongoing challenge. Social media has made photography more accessible than ever, meaning there are thousands of talented artists trying to make their mark. Finding ways to continuously grow, evolve, and keep my work fresh is something I know I’ll always have to work on.
Despite these challenges, I know that this is the path I’m meant to be on. Each obstacle has shaped me into the artist I am today, and I’m ready to face whatever comes next.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Photography, for me, is more than just capturing images—it’s about telling stories, evoking emotions, and bringing out the beauty in my subjects. My journey started with still-life photography, but over the years, I’ve found my true passion in portraiture and event photography. I specialize in capturing people in their most authentic and expressive forms, whether through self-portraits, editorial shoots, or promotional photography for businesses and events. My work blends artistic vision with storytelling, ensuring that every image feels intentional and meaningful.
What sets me apart from others is my deep-rooted passion for both photography and the arts as a whole. I don’t just take pictures—I create narratives. My ability to see and highlight the beauty in my subjects, whether they’re individuals, brands, or spaces, is what makes my work stand out. I approach every shoot with the goal of making my subjects feel seen and celebrated, and I believe that energy translates into my work.
One of my proudest accomplishments is launching The Kid Magazine, a digital publication that allowed me to merge photography with personal storytelling. Each issue was themed around my experiences and mental processes, making it a raw and intimate extension of my artistry. Additionally, my work with BK Markets and local businesses has given me the opportunity to bring campus life and creative communities together through visual storytelling and event photography.
At the end of the day, my goal is to leave a lasting impact—not just through my images, but through the way I make people feel when they see themselves through my lens.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always open to collaboration and I appreciate the support! Follow my instagram @tega_okperuvwe and shoot me a dm if you need a photographer for a project you’re working on! And if you’d like to book a photo shoot go to my website TegaOkPhoto.com
Pricing:
- $300 for 1hour photo shoot
- $400 for 2 hour photo shoot
- $600 for 3 hour photo shoot
Contact Info:
- Website: https://TegaOkPhoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tega_okperuvwe?igsh=Zmo2aHV6Yjh1N2tn&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Copyright Tega okperuvwe
