Beyoncé Taps Tyler Mitchell, 23, As First African American Vogue Cover Photographer

NOW: After this career-changing Beyoncé Vogue cover story was published, America’s Smithsonian Museum acquired one of the images in August 2019. This act further cemented Tyler Mitchell’s future as a photographer headed for the high bar of his profession.

Last week 10/25/24, Mitchell took another major step forward, joining Gagosian Gallery for his representation. AOC’s headline said it all, and we are so thrilled for this young Atlanta-based creative: Tyler Mitchell Now a Gagosian Artist, Walking in Footsteps of Basquiat & Avedon AOC Daily.

THEN: Mega star Beyoncé covers the September issue of American Vogue, with young (23) photographer Tyler Mitchell behind the lens and plenty of womanly wisdom and goddess energy from Beyoncé creating his support system. Tonne Goodman is in charge of styling, with hair by Sir John and minimal makeup by Neal Farinah

Mitchell in a self-portrait from 2015.

Calling Mitchell "brilliant," the 36-year-old Beyoncé explained to Vogue that she wanted to ensure a new perspective was being shown to Vogue readers. No other Vogue cover in history had been shot by an African-American photographer.

"Until there is a mosaic of perspectives coming from different ethnicities behind the lens, we will continue to have a narrow approach and view of what the world actually looks like," she said. "It’s important to me that I help open doors for younger artists. There are so many cultural and societal barriers to entry that I like to do what I can to level the playing field, to present a different point of view for people who may feel like their voices don’t matter."

It's worth noting that Beyoncé tells her own story; there is no interview. In one of her more poignant comments, she writes:

I researched my ancestry recently and learned that I come from a slave owner who fell in love with and married a slave. I had to process that revelation over time. I questioned what it meant and tried to put it into perspective. I now believe it’s why God blessed me with my twins. Male and female energy was able to coexist and grow in my blood for the first time. I pray that I am able to break the generational curses in my family and that my children will have less complicated lives.

Read on at Vogue US