We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Thackery Harris, III a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Thackery, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
my confidence was developed by a blend of nurture from my parents and the environment that they built for me in the home as well as thseue environments that I subsequently chose to place myself in. i am from a family of educators and entrepreneurs. my mother and grandmother and gandfather were all educators and strongly believed that your mind was the one thing that no one could take away from you. it could become a superpower if trained and nurtured in the right way. being a person of color and growing up outside of the prisons of segregation i was gifted a clearer understanding of what I bring to the table, the history that I come from and just how far i am able to go and contribute to society with the gifts that God had given me.
over the years of schooling that i have completed….I have learned a tremendous amount about the physical world, mathematics, arts and culture. these are the tools in my toolbelt that i use to navigate life accordingly. I would like to think that I have a competent grasp of how to move forward in life. Do i make mistakes….of course. but usually not the same one twice. 😀
My grandfather planted the seed of science in me that would take me all the way to today. I use my understanding of natural sciences to help my son further his love of science. My father gave me a stance to take in the world with an understanding of manhood and a love for business….and service to people. My sister serendipitously gave me my passion for photography. Without that chance encounter, I wouldn’t have Images of Lyfe Photography today. lastly but not least we have my mother who gave me my sense of humanity, compassion and morality. some who know me migh consider me “soft”. But I am my mother’s child as the saying goes.
Fast forward to age 47 in the year 2024, I am quite confident in what I bring to the table….no matter the table I sit at. I am an empath, a creative, a scientist, a musician and a business owner in one 5 foot 6 vessel. I have strong beliefs in my faith and use that as the walking stick on this uneven and unfair road called life.
Developing this has taken a lifetime and won’t stop anytime soon. One of my favorite quotes paraphrased would say “the illiterate of the future will not be those who can’t read or write…but the ones who can not unlearn and relearn”.
this is the essential characteristic that gives me strength and is a quality that i try to pass down to my son and reflect in those that I am around.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am Thackery Harris, III
I am proud to say that I have run into one of the best passions I have experienced in my life: photography.
I own Images of Lyfe Photography LLC and frankly, it has all but taken over my life. I; in the 7 years of hard work, sweat and countless humbling moments, have managed to make something of my business that allows me to show the world how I see the world and to showcase the beauty that is YOU! I am in the process of narrowing down the niche that I will carry on forward to train my son in….as he now has taken up a passion for photography watching Dad “buzz around like a bee” as he calls it.
I strongly consider myself a creative. In addition to being a photographer I am also a drummer and lover of science. You might be asking how does science make one creative? Well, for one, it changes the way that you see the world. when you look down at a dandelion, you see a weed, but I see heart health, a golden spiral, photosynthesis (a process that defies logic and reason) as well as the creative beauty of my God.
In me, you will also find no stronger advocate for the presence of music education. I rank it right up there with reading writing and arithmetic. Music: or an education of music no matter how small changes a person’s thinking and gives deeper meaning to the music that they love. An understanding and appreciation of a subject are not mutually exclusive concepts.
So, what I do in my life that brings me joy falls into three categories: music, science and photography.
that’s what Images of Lyfe Photography is really about. I use my camera to show the world in as many different facets as possible…. because life itself…. has many facets and each of us can tell a different story through whatever narrational tool we use.
i am in the process of making a photo book for sale. It will be titled “30 days at the River.
i live near the Yellow River Park here in Stone Mountain, Ga. it will chronicle one month of images shot of the river, people and experiences. I am excited as this is the first of man products that will be going on sale, and I am super excited to share my images with the world.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
humility: if you are not prepared to fail, then you are asking success to evade you.
passion: know what you love to do. take some time and understand who you are and what drives you.
education: a cup can’t do what it’s intended to do if it remains empty. your mind must be filled in order to pour back out into the world. otherwise life is a mess all over the floor.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Give me a sense of knowing how to navigate the world. They gave me a sense of what’s important, how to get it and how to keep it for passing down to my children and create intellectual wealth generationally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imagesoflyfe.zenfoliosite.com
- Instagram: Images of Lyfe
- Facebook: Images of Lyfe
Image Credits
All images property of and taken by Images of Lyfe Photography LLC
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
