Fire In Little Africa x Motown Records, 2021 — Music & Cultural PHOTOGRAPHY in Tulsa, OK
Fire in Little Africa x Motown Records 2021 – Music & Cultural Photography in Tulsa, OK
Performance and documentary visuals by CreeseWorks
Overview
In 2021, CreeseWorks documented Fire In Little Africa x Motown Records — a musical-cultural project in Tulsa, Oklahoma, celebrating heritage, performance, and community. The imagery aimed to reflect the energy, identity, and narrative of musical legacy in a historic setting.
Client Goals
Deliver dramatic performance and documentary images for press, marketing, and archival use.
Capture the cultural essence of the crossover, linking Tulsa’s musical roots with Motown’s influence.
Provide visuals that support storytelling initiatives, artist promotion, and social media.
The Challenge
Low-light portrait environments with unpredictable movement.
Balancing lighting with ambient context.
Tight performance schedules and limited access to studio space.
Our Approach: The WORKS Method™
W – Widen the Vision Celebrate musical heritage. Understood the cultural importance of Little Africa and Motown legacy.
O – Optimize the Scene Use studio design. Positioned for key framing lines, depth, and positional elements.
R – Refine the Story Researched the original artwork. Focused on emotional expression, details, accuracy.
K – Keep It Human Energy over perfection. Create an environment that helped with bringing out the best of the talent.
S – Show the Legacy Bridge past and present. Delivered visual assets that connect music history, place, and community.
Technical Execution
Gear: Fast primes (50mm, 85mm, 24mm) with high ISO performance
Lighting: Strobe lighting + fill flash when allowed
Post: Vibrant color, contrast, and clarity in motion
Delivery: Gallery delivered within 48 hours, stills prepped for press and streaming
Results & Impact
Performance imagery used in local promotions, local media, and archival content
Visual storytelling praised for honoring musical roots while energizing contemporary narrative
Client testimonial on visual impact and cultural relevance
Why It Matters
Shows CreeseWorks’ expertise in live music and cultural event photography in Tulsa, weaving performance visuals with historical and community narrative.
About CreeseWorks
CreeseWorks is a Washington DC-based creative studio led by Christopher Creese, specializing in performance photography, cultural storytelling, and editorial direction. Our work has been published in national media including The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
Hire CreeseWorks
Bring your cultural event to life visua lly.
📧 christopher@creeseworks.com
🌐 www.creeseworks.com
📸 @creeseworks
CreeseWorks serves Washington DC and key cultural markets like Tulsa, OK — partnering with music organizations, festivals, and heritage events for standout photography.