biography

My name is Terrell Lamar. I’m an artist (and writer), Gemini, Virgo Rising, Pisces Moon, and Master Eleven (lol). Many may know me as my previous artist nom de plume Kyzer Kane. I switched that up in May 2023, deciding to just go by my name. As mentioned, I am a writer with four published books under my author name Ba’Khu Olorun. My author name is explained in my first book, an essay book, The Resurrection Papers: Truth Rising From The Memory Hole, on pages 15-17. It’s meaning is dope and I encourage you to check it out as well as my books. Still, many call me Mansa (translation “King”).

In my formative years—between 13 and 16- my journey as an artist began with a love affair with art, particularly photography and poetry. First, it was Mother Dear, who always made taking pictures of me and my little brother and sister fun, and looking at those pictures today - they’re classic - how freezing a moment in time can become the vehicle for time travel and experiencing that moment in the picture as if you’ve teleported back there. So one of my aims became and remains: Make timeless pictures. Next, my Aunt Jeannie. Growing up, she always had those little disposable cameras where you’d have to get the film developed at Walmart or Walgreens. On a trip with the family to Six Flags in St. Louis, she bought me my own KODAK disposable camera. It was on that trip, photographing my cousin, sister, and brother, as well as anything else my young eyes thought was compelling, I developed an affinity for telling stories through images.

Then, it was in 2001, my Junior year of high school at North Little Rock High West Campus, and the class was Audio/Visual Media Production. The project was to create a video presentation of one’s home life using family photos. I incorporated old and historical family portraits with some new ones and there you have it—the point in history where I fell in love with making pictures and telling stories.

In college, at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, I had a few classes in my Minor, Studio Art-Photography, that helped me along. Photography I and Photography II introduced me to Ansel Adams and Gordon Parks while I learned the basics of digital photography, Photoshop, and printmaking. The class, Large Format Photography, helped me develop a love and admiration for the process of photographing, seeing, and getting to know one’s subject. Digital photography, because it is easier and cheaper than film, can tend to make one rush and lose patience with a particular subject. With film and Large Format Photography, because one probably pays to have the film developed, taking one’s time and having patience are absolutely required for proper composition and framing, ensuring the subject is interesting, and, of course, sharpness. I’ve come to combine the working style of film photographers and their boundless attention to detail; their intimacy with each picture made with the resourcefulness, stealth, and imaginative quality of digital photographers.

I think because my initial experience with photography was taking pictures of people - family, friends, and strangers - Portraiture became my first love in terms of the various categories of photography that I use when making a picture.

Now…

What is a Terrell Lamar picture?

It begins before the beginning began. A type of spiritual act of clairvoyance happens where I see the picture, or at least a blurry collage of pieces of the picture in my mind's eye, my First Eye. Above all, I strive after Truth, and that which I seek seems to come to me through storytelling. A Terrell Lamar picture tells you a story. 

Expressing such an intention, also through angles, composition and layers, lightscapes, you know - the minutiae - my work carries the essence of the subject and offers a strong visual identity. My photographs evoke, at least I intend for them to, a visual conversation between you and the image, whereby the image serves as type of currency for meaningful exchange.

My process of making a picture is really an exercise in phenomenology. It's an effort to convey the true and living experience of the human from his or her own knowing. I harbor, for example, a great affinity for culture and its values, interests, and principles; its customs, folklore, and rituals. For example, the richness and depth of Black culture is, in and of itself, a phenomenon. 

Finally, I treat the making of my pictures with an existential truth that asks, "What if you died today and in the afterlife, the Creator says, "Welcome my child," and then asks, "did you enjoy your time in Heaven?'"

I am an artist who uses a camera as a paintbrush, that’s really it. And what motivates me is my love for creative expression. I love portraiture so you may call me a portraitist. I enjoy working with people and creating intimate pictures that allow the subject to speak without words. I love interesting landscapes; abstract photography; street and documentary photography, and any other type of photography where I can create what’s in my mind’s eye. But stripped of any categories, labels, or type of photographer and artist, I am someone who loves to create and tell stories.

I say all this to say, your time in this incarnation, interacting with and experiencing various people, places, and things is what you make it: As Above, So Below. I am determined to make the most of my time and passion for photographing the beautiful and the interesting.

Parenthetically, I encourage you to click here and explore my books (written under my nom de plume Ba’Khu Olorun).

For all Appointment, Booking, and Commission requests, please inquire here.