Twelve years ago, Corey Turner remembers seeing a Detroit Institute of Arts' billboard promoting the exhibit of fashion photographer Richard Avedon. The billboard
featured supermodel Donyale Luna, one of the featured artist’s African American models.
“After visiting Richard Avedon’s exhibit at the DIA, I decided I wanted to become
a fashion photographer,” Turner said. “Even though I did not have experience at the
time, I remember thinking during the exhibit that one day my work would be featured
there too.”
OCC provides a steppingstone to fashion and product photography career
Turner had a camera but did not know the technical aspect of the profession, so he
decided to enroll at Oakland Community College, initially taking classes at the Orchard
Ridge campus. His expertise and passion for the field took off after transferring
to the Royal Oak campus where he was inspired by the teaching methods of OCC fine
arts and humanities faculty instructor Rob Kangas.
“Rob encouraged us to photograph and explore what we were interested in versus focusing
on random photography,” Turner said. “I took practically every photography class that
was offered and loved the camaraderie and high caliber of students that I met when
I attended.”
Those students included classmate Salwan Georges, who was hired by the Detroit Free
Press and went on to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist for the Washington
Post. A fast friendship formed between the two that continues today.
According to Kangas, Turner benefited from being among inspired, like-minded students.
“The best classes always have students who are motivated by the desire to impress
their peers, as well as get a good grade from their instructor. But Corey was an outstanding
student and promising photographer right from the start,” Kangas said.
“Corey knew what he wanted to say and worked tirelessly on his craft. His mature style
really started to emerge as he began to add personal projects in, alongside his assignments.
It is exciting as an educator to watch such rapid artistic growth,” he added.
Pursuing passions in the Big Apple
After showcasing his work during National Portfolio Day, where students meet with
counselors, admissions team members and faculty from art and design schools to review
portfolios, Turner had his eye on four top schools. While his talent led to scholarship
consideration from all four of his top picks, he decided on The School of Visual Arts in New York to continue his photography education. One of his final projects at the
highly selective institution was to shoot visuals of men’s hats from the iconic Detroit
store, Henry the Hatter, as well as a few places in New York.
Coming back to the D
As exciting as it was to live and explore New York City, Turner was homesick and moved
back to Detroit in 2014 shortly after the birth of his daughter. Fast forward to 2017
and Henry the Hatter would play a more prominent role in his photography career.
He secured a fellowship in 2017 with “Facing Change: Document Detroit,” during which
he completed a photo essay titled “Henry the Hatter – Surviving the Times,” focusing
on small businesses dealing with the effects of gentrification. After 65 years on
Broadway Street in Detroit, the country’s oldest hat retailer was also closing its
doors in 2017.
“I could not have predicted that Henry the Hatter was going to close its store on
Broadway. I was fortunate to get the green light to spend three months shooting photos
and learning so much about the history of Detroit through the multi-generations of
people including dignitaries that purchased hats at that store,” Turner said.
Knowing that no one would be able to shoot at the Broadway store ever again, it was
important to Turner to capture as many images as possible. This included going up
to the second floor where they used to have a hat-cleaning factory, and venturing
to the third and fourth floor with hats from the ’40s and ’50s that were still boxed
up.
Fortunately, the store found a bigger and better place according to Turner at Detroit’s
Eastern Market. Selections from this body of photographs were published in Hour Detroit
magazine shortly afterward.
DIA dream became a reality
To his surprise, DIA curator of photography, Nancy Barr, followed Turner on Instagram
and invited him to submit photographs for a DIA 2022 exhibit, The New Black Vanguard:
Photography between Art and Fashion that ran from January through April, 2022. In
the exhibit’s New Gazes - Detroit section, Turner’s photograph, Dapper Hop, was one
of six from Black photographers from Metro Detroit. The museum acquired six photographs
from the exhibit, including Turner’s, for the museum’s permanent collection. This
is part of the DIA’s commitment to expand its collection with diverse works.
Turner’s advice for aspiring photographers and future plans
Over the years Turner has learned a tremendous amount about the photography profession.
His advice for others looking to make a living as a photographer? “I would emphasize
the importance of mentorship, shooting with intention and learning the business aspect
of the craft.”
Asked about his future aspirations, Turner laughs and expresses his desire to see
his photography featured at the Getty, MOMA and LACMA. Just like his visit to the
DIA, if he can visualize it, he can achieve it.
For more information on Corey Turner, visit coreylamont.com.
About OCC
Offering nearly 100 degrees and certificates, OCC is Michigan’s largest multi-campus
community college and No. 1 transfer institution in the state. The College provides
academic, career training and enriching experiences, designed to empower students
to reach their potential and enhance our community. More than 1 million students have
enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. A seven-person Board of Trustees
governs OCC. Board members are elected on a non-partisan, at-large basis, serve as
volunteers and are not paid. Mission statement: OCC is committed to empowering our
students to succeed and advancing our community. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 |contactus@oaklandcc.edu