Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Itayem.
Hi Adam, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
First-generation Palestinian-American I was born in Florida and raised in Memphis I always wanted to be a FedEx pilot. Back in high school, I was working on obtaining my pilot’s license and upon graduation from high school enlisted in the Tennessee Air National Guard. I was medically disqualified from any flying positions due to my eyesight which was a huge turning point in my life.
I always liked working with cameras so I set off to obtain my bachelor’s degree from The University of Memphis. Throughout college, I began using my camera more and more and eventually got a job with the university’s football team where I was a student film coordinator. I began taking street photos in college and really fell in love with them. I traveled to many places thanks to the Air Force.
Wherever I would go, I’d make sure I had my camera with me. I created an Instagram account and website and began posting my photos on both and built a brand for myself, offering video and photography work for people and businesses. I began working with athletes across the country in 2020; capturing workouts and practices and curating them for the athlete’s social media pages.
I graduated with a communications degree in 2021. I hope to one day be a photojournalist for National Geographic or BBC. Any free time I get away from work is spent shooting the streets!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It wasn’t the smoothest road, being medically disqualified from flying was a blessing in disguise getting here. Along the way through my father passed away suddenly in 2018. It really shook me up and made me appreciate any of the photos I had of him.
Later on, COVID came through and the National Guard was mobilized throughout the state to help. I spent almost two years away from home assisting health departments, nursing homes, and prisons all over Tennessee. It really threw me out of my groove.
All my classes were pushed online and all of the hands-on portions of class were eliminated. I took the opportunity to photograph many of the small towns I was living in. I taught myself much of what I know today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a street/sports photographer in Memphis, TN. I enjoy giving money to the homeless in exchange for capturing images of them and hearing their stories.
Every city has a grit to it, alleyways, city streets, and people rushing to work. Always happening. Stopping time and capturing those moments is something special to me. There’s art in every setting, finding a vantage point to capture it artistically is the fun part. Think outside the box.
Sometimes the best shot might require going the long way around, but once you’ve got it you have a photo few, if any, can say they have as well.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My father was always a big role in my life steering me in the right direction in life along with my mother of course. A very close family friend, Larry Hastings, also is a huge mentor for me.
He is a retired FedEx pilot and retired Lt. Col. in the Air Force. He helped to teach me about aviation and the Air Force and was a huge reason why I joined the Air Force. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with a few NFL players from time to time.
Their belief in my work means the world to me. The word of mouth my clients have given means more than I could put into words.
Contact Info:
- Email: adamitayem1515@gmail.com
- Website: https://meyati.squarespace.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meyati_901
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/adamitayem172
