My name is Iverson, born and raised in Oakland, California. I started my professional

photography and videography journey about 5 years ago, and it all began with a project

called “Ivy’s Yearbook.

”

It originally came from a sociology assignment where I asked a simple question:

What is one thing we all collectively share as humans? My answer was a smile.

Through my time studying Psychology, and Sociology I became infatuated with the idea

of self expression, and the way our experiences shape our perceptions of the world

around us, while reflecting ourselves intuitively.

I feel as through my experiences with photography I’ve learned so much about the human

experience and our ability to communicate expression, how we feel directly reflects our

emotion, which in turn influences so many depths of expression.

The seven universal emotions, as identified by Dr. Paul Ekman, are anger, contempt, fear,

disgust, happiness, sadness, and surprise.

Each person I’ve met has shown me a piece of their own unique perspective, by simply

expressing themselves.

I feel as if I have a very personal relationship with how I view the world and the way in

which my art translates. I felt this through my Polaroid project

the assignment was to break a “social norm” after some research I found the basics of

what we’d categorized as “social norms”

.

I wanted to do something that we could all relate too in some form, I realized Social

Media, is a “social norm” we post, scroll, like, comment and carry on about our days. I

wondered what if we made social media, physical?

I went to school the next day, and I shot the entire project on Polaroids and scrap-booked

them in real time, with tape or glue, capturing real, unfiltered moments of people, askingthem for their autographs, or a story about their day or just a brief meeting, just

exchanging energies as we cross paths.

What started as a school project quickly turned into something much bigger—people

became infatuated with the idea of having a physical memory they could hold. That

pushed me to take it beyond school and into downtown, where I connected with strangers

and built genuine moments through photography.

Over time, that turned into a community.

Each smile, reminds me

There are people all across my city holding onto memories I captured—moments we

shared through a single photo.

As I grew, I upgraded my gear. My first camera was gifted from one of my closest

friends, who believed in my ability, and as I grew my portfolio. I payed them back month

by month, and began building my professional career.

I now specialize in portrait photography and continue expanding my reach through my

website and social media (@whereisiverson). What started as a simple idea has turned

into a growing brand and creative identity.

Obstacles / Challenges

My journey hasn’t been a straight or easy path, and a lot of who I am was shaped long

before I ever picked up a camera.

I grew up navigating life alongside my mother, she was a poet, a ballet dancer, a hippie,

an artist, and the sweetest soul the world has known. She is deaf, and although she

couldn’t hear the world around her, the way she loved was undeniable.

She endured more pain than most—abuse, hardship, and experiences that could have

broken her—but still poured everything she had into caring for me. Watching her, taught

me strength in a quiet, unspoken way.

Without a father present, I had to grow up, and learn things on my own, when I was 13.I moved in with my grandparents who provided the foundation that kept me grounded

and gave me a sense of stability.

Even with that support, I struggled deeply with my identity. My Grandparents medicated

my ADHD, while at school I was targeted because of my energy, and ethnic background

and over time I started to internalize these experiences, questioning my worth but instead

of shrinking myself to avoid standing out.

I wanted to show the world what I believed in.

I ran away, and decided to find my own way from 17-18. Until I went to college to have a

roof over my head, while turning my entire dorm into a photography studio, I never went

to class, studied photography on my own, learned website design, and avoided each class

until I was kicked out. unmedicated, with ambition beyond measure, I was homeless

again at 19. I would sleep at well known parks, and people who knew about my Polaroids

must’ve thought I was just enjoying the sun, they’d ask me for a Polaroid, and I’d

graciously give one, I realized in those moments I will always have who I am, even if I

have nothing. At 19, I lived in a hostel, and shared a list chores with a crew of people for

living. I spent each moment building my website, learning how to perfect my skill. At 20,

I got my own room, and started renting, and from there I turned my extra space into a

studio, and began building

I realized that in this life, and each moment I shape has been gifted to me, for without my

ancestral lineage it would not be possible for me to be here today.

That mindset followed me into my creative journey, where putting myself out there felt

like confronting every insecurity I had built up over the years.

But photography became more than an outlet, it slowly changed my perspective.

Through capturing others, I began to recognize the beauty, individuality, and emotion in

people, and eventually started to see those same qualities within myself.

What began as a way to connect with others turned into a way of healing and

understanding who I am.Every challenge I faced—my upbringing, the absence, the doubt, the pressure to fit

in—shaped not only my character but also the way I approach my work.

It’s why I care so much about making people feel seen and valued, because I know what

it feels like to question whether you are.

Over time, I’ve learned that the parts of myself, I saw as flawed were simply my inability

to perceive myself.

Once I changed my thoughts, my perception of self changed, my reflection smiles, as I

smile.

The moment I realized, what we feel impacts not only our expressions, but who we

believe we can become.

I believe that, each flaw you’ve personally perceived and attributed to yourself, is your

own experiences shaping how you see the world, hidden behind the acknowledgement of

self, the action of embracing the opposite of each flaw, will begin to shape the pieces of

yourself, allowing you to see what you subconsciously choose not too.

Your smile, has a reflection you may never choose to see, your own soul lights up as you

interact with another, the way we uniquely express with the people we love, the way

confidence exudes from our body language.

A piece of our soul is displayed, every single day, but how many times have you noticed

yours?

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.

One of the biggest challenges has been turning something so personal and passion-driven

into something sustainable. When you start from a place of pure creativity—like handing

out Polaroids to strangers—it’s not always easy to shift into pricing your work and being

taken seriously as a professional.

There were also moments of self-doubt, especially early on, wondering if people would

continue to care about what I was creating. Building consistency, putting myself out

there, and growing a platform all took time and patience.But every challenge helped shape my perspective and made me more intentional about

my work and my growth.

Your Work (Artist / Creative)

I’m a photographer and videographer, but at my core, I’m a storyteller. I specialize in

portrait photography—capturing people in a way that feels real, honest, and personal.

What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built through my work. From a single

Polaroid to now a growing brand, I’ve been able to connect with people on a deeper level

and create something meaningful that lasts beyond the moment.

What sets me apart is how I approach people. I don’t just take photos—I create

experiences. Whether it’s a quick interaction on the street or a full shoot, I try to make

people feel seen and comfortable, and that translates into the final image.

My work isn’t just about how something looks—it’s about how it feels.

Happiness

What makes me happy is creating and connecting.

There’s something powerful about capturing a moment and giving someone a memory

they didn’t even realize was possible. Seeing people react to their photos, watching them

smile, or hold onto something I created—that’s what drives me.

It’s also the community aspect. Knowing that something I started has reached so many

people and created real connections—that’s bigger than photography for me.