Phyllis Iller

The way these two used to fuss and fight?? My shorties have come a long way. Swipe to see the growth! 😂

We caught down at Forward Warrior on Sunday - I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like hanging with them. It’s so funny to hear their humor and slang - Babies got in the car and said “The tea is HOT!” (Not me immediately invested! 👀👂🏾) Their personalities are so big - their essence is so strong. Girlhood giving way to teenage angst and wonder. It’s beautiful to witness.

I watch them, listen to them, laugh with them, lecture them, advise them, and then consider “when did they get to be so cool?”

Sista Octavia done showed us to never play with the Word. And when the Word is used for good?

As Minnie says, “life is so fantastic, it will come as no surprise”. ✨

Been quiet round here because thangs have *shifted* heavy. Thangs are good, but shifts take time. And quiet.

Amidst the quiet, I stepped out to the Atlanta stop of the workshop with - it was beautiful to see so many Black women with cameras and dreams.

More to share. ✨

This bums me out so hard - from top to bottom. Necessary federal funding falls through, an institution can no longer thrive, artists are severely affected and forced to immediately move from what should have been their artistic sanctuary.

Communication is always key. If a meeting had been called months ago, when the first cracks really started to appear, so much of this anger and hurt and disappointment could have been avoided. Intimacy and honesty. That’s all Mint needed. Not to treat their employees and tenants like they’re on a “need to know” basis. Sign the petition in .ooomami link in bio, if you feel so moved to support your creative neighbors.
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As a bright spot, LET GO, the last show at Mint and curated by , will have its closing at .studio THIS Saturday. Make it there. Buy some art. Support the folks who offer you the worlds of their imaginations, a better world, a kinder world. ✨

Last weekend, I had the distinct pleasure to provide a portrait booth at the 68th Annual National Drifters Convention gala. The ladies (and their husbands) dressed to impress and it was a joy photographing them, especially the elders. ✨

More than once, I encouraged them to tilt their chins up, pull their shoulders back, drop their shoulders, and show me who they are. Speaking to an elder like that? 🥹👉🏾👈🏾 They did it beautifully, though.

Event photography is great, but portrait booths are where the real action happens. ✨

Whether you need dope headshots, warm family portraits, or candid lifestyle shots, our summertime sale will help with that. ✨

Purchase a session now and redeem anytime before October to lock in this special offer. Simple! Looking forward to creating with you. ✨😏

For more info, visit www.phyllisiller.com/specials.

Wishing all my brothas who have the honor of calling themselves Daddy a very happy, love filled Father’s Day! Your babies are who they are partly because of your guidance, strength, and wisdom. May you always hold your head up because of this. 💜

Light Study #3 was a success. ✨💡 MUA and muralist Jen Malavé of Genisis Fresh joined us in the studio and made her mark in the most beautiful way. Our model is the very lovely Hella Fyne.
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Light Study is a weekly session to expand my lighting skills and allow room for models and MUA’s to expand their portfolio, all while engaging in creative play for the sake of play.

Magic was made today. ✨💡

Nothing sharpens your skills so much as practice. ✨

Starting next Tuesday, I am introducing “Light Study” - creative mornings once a week where I photograph a few models who need to build their portfolio just as much as I need to practice my lighting and posing. We can get better and more comfortable in our craft together.

The themes will change week to week - for example, we may focus on beauty, children, headshots, fashion, etc. Also, I may utilize locations to switch up the vibe for set design purposes!

If interested, details are in the graphics. We got some growing to do! 🌱💡✨

“I got style, flavor, grace, and plus a different technique/ That I be using and not many can manage/ So a [sista] like me? I do damage”

Word to Kane. ✨ Happy Saturday!

We love us some Milk + Sizz. ✨

Black women are the blueprint. ✨

🌱Plant Lady Juice Co. is a budding legacy brand. We have a clear purpose, we focus on our customers needs and we have a unique identity, voice and story. For us, legacy is not just about those before or after us, but also about those that stand right beside us.

🪷In this photo, taken by the incredible .iller, we are surrounded by our sisters, cousins, god children and life long friends who have stood beside us since the beginning. These women are our perennials. They have poured into Plant Lady Juice Co. and because of their love, prayers and support we have bloomed.

🪷For our spring Plant Lady In Bloom Campaign, we captured a powerful, two-day, divine feminine celebration at our COO’s historic West Atlanta home. We celebrated by eating and drinking intentionally prepared food and drinks, sharing beauty + self-care rituals, dancing to our favorite music and showering Plant Lady Juice Co. with manifestations of growth in year 2 and beyond.

🪷We will share more from our Plant Lady In Bloom campaign where we spotlighted other budding and established legacy brands along side ours. These brands not only inspire us but are part of our everyday lives.

🌱Plant Lady in Bloom Campaign full credits:
Day 1 Photographer: .iller
Day 2 Photographer:
Creative Director:
Creative Production Manager:
Creative Production Manager:
Chef:
Pastry chef:
Mixologist:
Official Beverage Sponsor: .atl // .weaver
Nail Technician:
Styling Assistant: .kris
Hair:
Hair:
Lashes: .atl
Official Soundtrack:

🌱Featured Brands

Gonna be sharing some space with a few ladies this coming Monday! Hope to see y’all in the place to be!

Panelist Alert: Melissa Alexander, professionally known as Phyllis Iller, is an “Around the Way Girl” based in Atlanta. Growth and vulnerability form the backbone of her photographic and film work. She focuses on intimacy within the Black American community...

This event is free. All attendees must RSVP at www.hhcatl.org (link in bio).

Monday, March 18, 2024
350 Spelman Lane SW Atlanta, GA 30314
Fine Arts Building Room #109
Tentative Ladies cipher before the discussion (stay tuned for info)
Panel Discussion 7:00- 8:30pm

Panelists:iller




and other surprise guests

We made some beautiful images with the owners of Plant Lady Juice Co. ✨🌱 Get into it!

x is a natural slay.

We 💛 products because they keep our curly hair healthy & hydrated, juicy & joyful. Their edge control is really THAT girl just like their founder .

If you are looking for other products to support your healthy hair journey, shop our Super Green tea! Its PACKED with a daily dose of minerals that nourish your hair follicles and promote growth.

Check out our CEOs god daughter sipping on a Plant Lady Super Green tea while her mama gives her that swoop & slay!

📸 .iller
For our  Campaign we spotlighted budding and established legacy brands along side ours. These brands not only inspire us but are part of our everyday lives.

“That's my job as a supa emcee, I'm from Long Isle / Mobile, make it worth your while / ✨If the jam needs motion I'm the one to dial✨” -Plug
One

Long Post:

When I was about 8, my parents brought home four foster siblings for a time. The eldest was 5. It blew my young mind that children could be in such a circumstance; my Huxtable/Banks-esque family was all I knew. I assumed all children were loved, cared for - my surprise never stopped over the fact that quite the opposite is reality. The feeling of wanting to do something about it only grew with each statistic I read.
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One of my intentions when I went full-time freelance (in 2017) was to use my camera to the benefit of foster children, incarcerated parents, and survivors of DV. Photography helps me help others realize their worth and I got a lot of love to give. ☺️

Today, I volunteered my camera to Georgia Kids Belong and it filled every part of my heart to be there with them. They’re doing the righteous, necessary, (almost heartbreaking), work of finding adoptive parents for children and the headshots I snapped will assist that cause.

Truly grateful to be invited into a very special space. There’s lot of great children out there, looking for forever homes. Consider donating your coins or time to GKB or becoming a foster parent yourself. 💜

On Sundays, we prepare for the week ahead. As we prepare for our year ahead, seemed to make sense to have a lil headshot ting on Sundays in January. Laid back, but with strong intentions. ✨

$100 - 2 edited images. Dassit.

Limited space available, but tell a friend to tell a friend. Visit the link in bio to learn more or visit: www.phyllisiller.com/specials.

Portrait booths are our favorite! 📸

We had the opportunity to photograph the most brilliant “troublemakers” at the Good Trouble Honors 2023 with Center for Civic Innovation ✨💜

The family that grows together….🌻🌻🌻

Client work! 💜💜💜

Calling all folks from around the way! We are beginning out first round of fundraising for the Around The Way Dreams 2023 tour! We tryna raise $125k and, while the vision is clear, we are going to need some help getting there!

But…scared money don’t make none! Gots have courage to live in your dreams.

Come through, kick it with us, and find out what Around the Way Dreams is all about. We will have a special performance by emcee Boog Brown () aka Boogie Down Brown, as well as fly music selections by Sir Daniel () of the mighty Wax Fundamentals] crew AND Dynamite Dave Soul (). Plus a themed portrait booth that’s gonna take us back to the days when hair was assymetrical and gumbys had slopes. ✨

Plus…it’s my (.iller) birthday! Bout to be 37 years old and finally fully understanding who I am and what I bring to this table. Come celebrate with the kid.

Special thank you to CreateATL () for hosting us in their space! They’re doing some good work in Adair Park. Shout out to the Wax Fundamentals] crew for sponsoring the needed equipment, too!
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This one is for us. ✨
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Dreams soon become reality. ✨