Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial, 2021
Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial, 2021 – Commemorative Photography in Tulsa, OK
Documentary storytelling by CreeseWorks
Overview
For the 2021 Centennial remembrance of the Tulsa Race Massacre, CreeseWorks documented ceremonies, memorial events, descendants, and public installations. The goal was to create images that reflected context, memory, and community dignity.
Client Goals
Produce respectful and powerful visual records.
Capture the voices, faces, and installations of remembrance.
Provide imagery for historical exhibits, educational outreach, and press.
The Challenge
Emotionally sensitive subject matter demanding care and respect.
Varied environments — indoor halls, outdoor memorials, portraits.
Coordinating with multiple stakeholders and dignitaries under tight schedules.
Our Approach: The WORKS Method™
W – Widen the Vision Honor legacy. Understood the centennial’s weight and narrative importance.
O – Optimize the Scene Contextual framing. Composed with memorial plaques, spatial elements, historic markers.
R – Refine the Story Capture emotional detail. Emphasized portraiture of descendants, media moments, symbolic elements.
K – Keep It Human Compassionate storytelling. Let the subjects guide the portrait process; silent observation.
S – Show the Legacy Bridge past to future. Delivered images usable for long-term museum exhibits, publications, and educational programs.
Technical Execution
Equipment: Mirrorless bodies and zoom + prime lenses (24–70mm, 50mm, 85mm)
Lighting: Natural light supplemented with subtle fill flash for balance
Post: Color grading with muted tones, respectful contrast, clarity in textures
Delivery: Gallery delivered in under 72 hours, plus select editorial-ready images
Results & Impact
Documentary gallery used by museums, news outlets, and educational platforms
Visual legacy for commemoration events and future archival use
Feedback from community leaders about the depth and dignity of the images
Why It Matters
This project reflects CreeseWorks’ capacity to engage deeply with historical, emotional, and community-driven work. It shows that documentary photography aligned with mission can both inform and uplift.
About CreeseWorks
CreeseWorks is a Washington DC-based creative studio led by Christopher Creese, specializing in documentary, editorial, and mission-driven photography. Our visual storytelling has been recognized in major media including The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
Hire CreeseWorks
Capture your organization’s legacy with dignity and depth.
📧 christopher@creeseworks.com
🌐 www.creeseworks.com
📸 @creeseworks
CreeseWorks serves Washington DC and beyond, including Tulsa, OK — working with cultural organizations and historic initiatives seeking thoughtful narrative photography.