Today we’d like to introduce you to Adore.
Hi Adore, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started directing a couple of years ago after dropping out of college. I knew school wasn’t working for me, but I was watching my peers grow within the arts through modeling, and I found myself increasingly drawn to the creative side of what they were doing.
At the time, I left school intending to take a break, figure out what I actually wanted to do, and eventually go back. Then I met someone who took me under their wing—someone who was already doing the kind of work I envisioned for myself and doing it successfully. They told me something that completely shifted my perspective: I didn’t need school to pursue this. I just needed to go all in.
That became the beginning of a very different path for me. Since then, I’ve continued to refine my craft relentlessly, experimenting, learning, and figuring out what works for me personally as a creative director. I’m still discovering my voice and what it means to build worlds through my work.
There have definitely been ebbs and flows, especially in a city like Houston that is still growing its creative infrastructure. But I’ve learned that where there’s a will, there’s a way. I’ve had to create opportunities, trust my instincts, and keep going even when the path wasn’t always clear. That persistence has become just as important to my creative practice as the work itself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think one of the struggles of being an artist in a rapidly growing city is the scarcity mindset that can develop within the creative community. There can be this idea that there’s only room for a few people to succeed, rather than believing we can grow alongside one another. I struggled with that mindset myself early on, but as a creative director, I quickly realized it wasn’t sustainable. My work requires me to collaborate across different mediums, personalities, and disciplines, and I’ve learned that the strongest work happens when people understand that everyone brings something valuable to the table.
There’s also a disconnect between artists and some of the establishments and businesses that work with us. Many of these institutions have access to resources that artists are actively helping create the culture around. Yet, there can still be a lack of understanding around how artists should be valued, compensated, and treated. That imbalance can be frustrating, especially in a city that is actively benefiting from the creative culture artists are building.
And, as a Black woman, I can’t talk about the challenges in this field without acknowledging misogyny and racism. There are spaces where Black culture is embraced as an aesthetic or a means of expression without the same level of understanding or respect for the people creating that culture. I’ve experienced moments where I was invited onto sets specifically because my presence as a Black woman could add something to the image or help an artist appear more culturally connected, only to feel dismissed or overlooked in the same breath.
Those experiences have made me much more intentional about the spaces I enter, the people I collaborate with, and the kind of creative environment I want to help build. They’ve also reinforced why collaboration and community are so important to me. I don’t want to simply participate in the culture—I want to contribute to a creative ecosystem where the people building it are respected and have room to grow, too.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a creative director, but I consider myself a storyteller before any title. I’m known for stepping in front of the camera, behind it, or wherever I’m needed to bring a vision to life. I’m not afraid to play every role if that’s what it takes to make the idea feel the way I imagined it.
I’m drawn to grand productions and world-building, but I also love taking a small idea and making it feel larger through intentional storytelling and collaboration. For me, the scale of a project matters less than how thoughtfully the story is told.
One thing I believe sets me apart is my ability to understand people and recognize who will work best together. I have a strong instinct for collaboration—knowing which photographer, stylist, filmmaker, model, or creative can bring something specific to a project, and how to bring those talents together in a way that makes the work stronger. My people skills have taken me a long way because creative direction isn’t just about having a vision; it’s about knowing how to communicate it, build trust, and get people excited enough to help bring it to life.
I’m most proud of a campaign I created for my own brand last year. It included a photo campaign, a video, and behind-the-scenes content, and seeing all of those pieces come together felt like a true reflection of what I’m building as a creative. It wasn’t just about creating good visuals—it captured the world, energy, and intention behind my work. That project reminded me that the work I’m most proud of is the work that feels unmistakably like me.
What makes you happy?
More than anything, my peace makes me happy. I love creating, but I’ve realized there’s a different kind of fulfillment that comes from releasing an idea into the world and knowing I’ve given it everything I had. There’s something peaceful about no longer holding the idea in your head and finally getting to see it exist outside of you. For me, creating is not only about the end result—it’s also about the freedom that comes with letting something go and allowing it to become what it’s meant to be.
Pricing:
- $350 (starting rate for directing photoshoots)
- $500 (starting rate for directing video)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ADORECREATES.com
- Instagram: @iadorekam
