Tyler Mitchell, a prodigy of photography and video.

His portraiture has earned him kudos from some of the most influential voices in the African American community. In 2018, at the age of 23, Beyoncé brought him on board to photograph her for her American Vogue cover. In that instant, Mitchell became the first black photographer of a cover shot in the magazine’s 126 years.

It’s no surprise that prominent, high fashion brands have been knocking on his door since. He was seemingly inspired by eroticism for a luxurious clip he directed promoting Comme des Garçons’ Copper perfume. Meanwhile, luxury Spanish fashion house Loewe has commissioned him as their photographer for their last two seasons. Mitchell has also shot a music video for R&B artist Abra and the photoshoot mocking clip for Brockhampton’s track Dirt.

Though hailing from the compact urban environment of Brooklyn, New York, Mitchell’s people-centred work is mostly interested in capturing personalities within bright environments boasting soft colours and a clean, afternoon sunlight.

His first solo photography exhibition was hosted by Amsterdam's FOAM museum in 2019. Titled “I Can Make You Feel Good,” the show featured new video works Idyllic Space and Chasing Pink, Found Red, which Mitchell states are visualisations of "a black utopia."

Text: Nicholas Burman

Photos and Video: Tyler Mitchell