How This Atlanta Photographer Went from Taking Pictures at The Bakery to Snapping Big Names in the Music Industry

Tucker Walls is a 23-year-old Atlanta-based photographer who’s created a name for himself in the music community. With over 150 artists in his portfolio ranging from Lil Baby, Young Dolph, Rico Nasty, to underground artists in the Atlanta scene, he talks to us about his journey to becoming one of Atlanta’s most popular music photographers, all thanks to The Bakery. If you’re looking to get into music photography, keep reading for Tucker’s advice!

Tucker Walls, self-portrait

Stephanie: For those who don’t know who you are, please introduce yourself!

Tucker: My name is Tucker, but people call me Tuck sometimes. I’m a photographer based in Atlanta. I do a lot of photography mainly for music artists but I’m starting to also venture more into operating as a creative director. I like to handle my own sets and shoots. 

S: What is your connection to The Bakery? 
T: I got my start in photography here! It’s the first venue I ever started taking pictures at, thanks to my good friends throwing the music festival Blue Summer. Big shoutout to Sam Levine, Jacorey Barkley, and Augusto Colombo-Abdullah for organizing that event. My friend and artist Tom the Mail Man got booked for a show there and that’s when I officially started taking pictures at live events.

Tom the Mail Man (Photo Credit: Tucker Walls)

Local Atlanta artist Jelani Imani at Blue Summer festival (Photo Credit: Tucker Walls)

S: What was it about The Bakery that you liked a lot?

T: My friends and I adore The Bakery because they curate such an open and welcoming environment for people to express themselves. You would show up and see people painting a bus or creating a sculpture, all while a music festival was playing inside. It’s an expressive environment and nobody I know feels uncomfortable there.

S: How has The Bakery helped you with your career as a creative? 

T: The Bakery was a catalyst to help me take off in the music industry. It was a big help in connecting me to many artists I still work with to this day. And for that, I am very thankful to the Bakery. 

S: Who are some people that you have worked with and photographed?
T: I’ve worked with Lil Baby, Rod Wave, Young Dolph, NLE Choppa, 42 Dugg, Nardo Wick, Young Nudy, 2 Chainz, Mozzy, Key Glock, Rich Homie Quan, Seddy Hendrix, and much more. I’ve also shot for Saweetie but never released the pictures. I’d like to add that Saweetie touched my shoulder and I’ve been winning ever since.

S: Who are some underground artists in Atlanta that you think other photographers and listeners should take an interest in?
T: Tom the Mail Man, Zaia, Tahj Keeton, Shrimp, ATLGrandma (even though he doesn’t live in Atlanta anymore), Bedrooms, and of course stream anything by 6 Dogs.

S: How would you describe your photography style in three words?
T: Comic book surrealism. I am obsessed with comic books right now and have been for a while. I like to merge those two worlds together. I like to make any photo I put out look like it’s been ripped straight out of a comic book. It’s a nice mixture of reality and comic-style art I feel.

A Portrait of the Dearly Departed Atlanta Artist 6 Dogs (Photo Credit: Tucker Walls)

S: Any advice on anyone just starting out and wanting to pursue photography as a career? 

T: Shoot nonstop. Shoot everything, keep a camera on you at all times, and try not to think that every photo has to be better than the last. That has stopped me for so long and it has kept so many good photos of mine from coming out. Try to think of every project in its own realm, and don't try to compare it to your own realm or anybody else’s. Try to appreciate it for what it is.

S: You’re from a small town. How were you able to pursue a creative career in Atlanta?

T: I hopped on the nearest tractor and went as far as I could. Nah, but really. My friend Spencer Seay and I would always drive to Atlanta and go to underground shows. We were in Atlanta and took as many pictures as we could. Artists started taking notice of us and I finally picked up enough clientele to move out of my hometown and consistently work here. That is just one way to get out of any small town. 

S: Have you ever felt like giving up pursuing a career in the creative field? I am a photographer myself, and it’s definitely hard to make it. What kept you going? 

T: As a creative, having the feeling of giving up is part of it. I have thoughts every other day of throwing it all away. But something about actually giving in to those thoughts is deeply depressing, and I don’t think I would be able to forgive myself if I didn’t get through it. 

Comic book-inspired photograph of the underground Atlanta artist Zaia (Photo Credit: Tucker Walls)

S: How do you battle creative blocks?

T: The best way to get out of it is to stop creating and just live life for a little bit. Enjoy your life and experience something you have never experienced before. Go outside and stop having to think about what to create nonstop. That pressure is what is putting you in that block in the first place. You need to recharge every once in a while. 

S: What’s the hardest part about having a career in art?: 

T: The hardest part for me didn’t even involve photography itself or clientele finding, or anything business-wise. The hardest part for me was, at the start, I ended up tying my self-worth to the photos and videos that I created with people. I finally found something that made me valuable and if I wasn’t doing that to the standard that I had for myself, I would feel depressed about myself and feel like I had no value. So the hardest part for me was separating that self-worth from the work that I do. 

S: How can people contact you that are interested in getting their pictures taken? 

T: I’m working on finishing my website but life gets in the way. For now, you can contact me through my Instagram and Twitter direct messages. 

Instagram: @VZLtuck

Twitter:@VZLtuck

S: Any last words or pieces of advice for anybody reading this? 

T: Words of advice: take care of yourself. Do what you can to be happy. Focus on your mental health and avoid anything that makes you feel codependent on anything or anybody in this world. You don’t need that. If it makes you feel that way, you should not ignore it.