Meet Tyler Mitchell, The Beyonce-Selected Black Photographer Making History With 'Vogue'
Beyoncé has the fashion world going APESH*T with recent news that she will cover this year's September issue of Vogue.
This will be her second time gracing the illustrious September issue. As one of only four black women to ever cover the September issue (including Naomi Campbell, Halle Berry and Lupita Nyong'o), this is a pretty big deal in the fashion industry. But in true Beyoncé style, a little history isn't quite enough. Not only will she grace the cover, she has retained full editorial control over her image and will be writing all of the captions, too. According to The Huffington Post:
"The publication is contractually obligated to give Beyoncé full control over the cover, the photos of her inside the magazine and the captions, which she has written herself and are in long-form, according to two sources who are familiar with the agreement between Vogue and Beyoncé but aren't authorized to speak to the press."
If you know anything about the fashion magazine, the September issue is THE issue of the year. The cover is the most coveted, and Anna Wintour exerts full control over every detail—from the wardrobe to the photographer to the questioning in the interview of the cover star. While it is reported that Beyoncé will not be giving an interview, she one-ups everyone with this last detail seemingly overlooked by the mainstream media. She has commissioned Tyler Mitchell as the first black photographer to ever shoot the cover of Vogue in the publications 126-year history. Go back and read that again. Iconic!
But who is Tyler Mitchell?
The 23-year-old Atlanta native may be young, but he has already established himself as one to watch. The photographer and videographer was recently named by Dazed as one of "25 emerging photographers to put on your radar now", and with the Beyoncé co-sign, he is now on all of our radars. As a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Mitchell got his start early on by capturing the New York and Atlanta skate, fashion, and music culture.
He's also has major collaborations under his belt like working with rapper Kevin Abstract and designer Marc Jacobs. With credits that include Teen Vogue, i-D Magazine, Dazed, Vogue US, Office Magazine, Candy Magazine, and The FADER, the photographer is no stranger to the print magazine world. Mitchell has also self-published his first photography book entitled El Paquete, which captures the emerging skate culture and architecture of Cuba.
And unless you've been living under a rock, we have seen Beyoncé morph into an unapologetic black queen who uses every opportunity to flex her black culture like a superpower and watching her make us all proud of our blackness. From the Lemonade visuals to her epic Coachella performances, Bey has established a clear motive in the way she wants to depict herself: a strong, black woman.
Perhaps this is why she has chosen Mitchell to shoot her for the cover of Vogue. He tells The New York Times of his own works:
"I depict black people and people of color in a really real and pure way. There is an honest gaze to my photos."
This honest gaze is one thing we can look forward to. Mitchell is also very serious about his craft and is no iPhone photographer. While he doesn't dismiss the digital art space, Mitchell is very aware of the relevance that print publications still have. And while many publications are moving away from the printed page and onto hand-held devices, there is still something very special and ironically nostalgic about picking up a publication and being able to flip through its pages. Mitchell tells Dazed Digital:
"I think magazines are a great way to be like, 'This is important enough to be published on the printed page.'"
With this opportunity, whether he likes it or not, Mitchell has an important obligation to get it right. This moment in black history rests on his shoulders (no pressure), but based on his prior works and the very few interviews he's given, it seems that Mitchell is up for the challenge. He tells Dazed Digital that he wants to remove all of the labels we normally associate with the black body and remind everyone of our humanity. He says:
"My work attempts, on some level, to depict black men and black people first and foremost as not just 'things'. And I employ aesthetic beauty to do that. We have been 'thingified' in this country – bodily, sexually, emotionally, and socially. The works try to break free of any notion of this 'thingification'. It tries to just breathe. There's a softness that I like to evoke, that isn't sexualised, or sensationalised, it just is. It's inherently human; being black."
Mitchell seems to understand his role as a minority photographer on the verge of stardom. Prior to this announcement, Mitchell said that he wants his work to allow others to see themselves in it, especially those who have been underrepresented. He reveals:
"One thing I want in life is to make pictures that enable other kids to feel themselves and feel all of themselves. Especially kids who historically haven't felt that before."
Congratulation, Tyler. I know I for sure will be running to the store to pick up my copy when it hits stands. To find out more about Tyler, head to his site: tylermitchell.co.
Featured image via Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG
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Michelle Schmitz is a writer and editor based in Washington, DC originally from Ft Lauderdale, FL. A self-described ambivert, you can find her figuring out ways to read more than her monthly limit of The New York Times, attending concerts, and being a badass, multi-tasking supermom. She also runs her own blog MichelleSasha.com. Keep up with her latest moves on IG: @michellesashawrites and Twitter: @michellesashas
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images