Behind The Lens

Portrait, Editorial and Documentary Photographer, Tyrone Z. McCants

Tyrone Z McCants is a Phoenix, AZ-based photographer and the founder of Zire Photography and Graphics Company who has over 11 years of working experience to his credit as a visual artist and service photographer specializing in portraiture, documentary and commercial photography in the fields of music, sports, fashion, and editorial.

A self-proclaimed visual artist with a camera, began his career as a freelance photographer in 2004, documenting people, culture and the arts. In late 2007 at the beginning of the recession, Zire was released from his day job. Zire worked for 15 years in the field of youth advocacy and counseling, family development and community development. Although it was disheartening to lose a job he was dedicated to, he chose to see this experience as a cloud with a silver lining and decided to follow his passion by going into full-time photography. He took the opportunity to study his craft and bring his art to the next level. In less than two years in, he founded the Zire Photography and Graphics Company.

Zire has contributed to the creation of editorials, ad campaigns and advertising images for the reputed brands like Black Enterprise, Toyota, ESPN, Showtime Sports, Target.com, Parents Magazine, OkayPlayer, CNG Newspaper, and Glory Sports International amongst many other names.

Fully walking his path of genuine self-expression, and taking steps to expand his art, McCants is now studying film.

The Company

We value the authentic connections and working alongside with our interesting and adventurous clients. We capture beautiful and wonderful memories through our lens. We provide our clients with nothing but the best product to meet their need. We believe that an appreciation of photography is essential to our clients and the primary aim of all we do is to work together with you to create magic in a unique and simple way. In short, we specialize in capturing personalities and stories through the lens. Check out My Services

Clients and Features:

TOYOTA, NOTEY, BLACK ENTERPRISE, ESPN, SHOWTIME SPORTS, TARGET.COM, PARENTS MAGAZINE, PRECISE COMMUNICATIONS. AFRICAN LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE, CNG COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER GROUP, BROOKLYN BODEGA, BROOKLYN COURIER, OKAYPLAYER, MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES, GLORY SPORTS INTERNATIONAL, LINCOLN CENTER ATRIUMFLUX, BROOKLYN DAILY, BROOKLYN PAPER, SHERDOG.COM, FIGHT PARROT, OKAYAFRICA, HYPERALLERIC, SUNNEVENT

Current Projects

Featured

The How We Are Connected Photo Exploration Project

THE HOW / WE ARE CONNECTED / PHOTO EXPLORATION PROJECT is a geographic photography series of a diversity of cultural performing artists from various cultures and connections shared between ethnic cultures and races.

Follow the THWACPEP Project on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

The "What Is Hip-Hop?" Project

I’ve been documenting hip hop and music concerts for the past 10 years and I’m just getting warm. Here is a blog dedicated to some of my favorite images, events, and interviews.

Follow The TWIHHP Project on: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Jazzy Nights

The Jazzy Nights series is a collection of a variety of live music, stories and behind the scene moments from the very best musical excellence in the world of Jazz and Rhythm and Blues. If you love music in its rawest form, then you would love this project.

Follow The Jazzy Nights Project on: Facebook

Proud Poppas Photo Project

The images celebrate and encourages the pride of being an active father with amazing stories from New York City fathers, all from different backgrounds shared their experiences of their own personal dedication to being the best dads they can be.

Follow the Proud Poppas Project on: Facebook | Twitter | Website

Night Lights Series

There is beauty about cities at night. Street lights in the dark with the right camera can be magical. If you thought otherwise you will be converted when you are taken to various parts of the city of New York and more places that you will probably not get a chance to see at night.

Visual Poetry

Virtual Poetry Production is collection of video projects from Tyrone Z. McCants ranging from visual perspectives of written poetry, documentary, music videos, interviews, discussions, and short films.

Follow Me Online

#afrocentric #fashion @tafaritribemarketplace
#custom #design #Shop in #Brooklyn
Photo by @zirephotos for the @thwacpep #project #culture #Style #clothing #AfricanDiaspora

the #afasa #african #festival in #arizona. #diaspora of #kings and #queens #youngandold #community #africanarizona #2018africanfestival #cultural #event #photo by @zirephotos

Cultural runway performance at the #afasa #african #festival in #arizona. #diaspora of #queens #style and #fashion #community #africanarizona #2018africanfestival #event #zpfpphoto #photo by @zirephotos

#Repost @itsyourqueens
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#aminamightymondays
Find people who will make you better!
📸 @zirephotos
Creative director @ekisfamous
Queens @timmiela @ekisfamous
@rahaka
#michelleobama
#mondaysblessings
#womenshistorymonth
#womenshistorymonth2018
#yourqueenscelebrateswomenshistorymonth #yourqueenswhmquotes #notyouraveragedisneyprincesses
#makedaqueenofsheba #Goddessisis #Queenamina

#sunlight #trees #negativespace #photography #leaves #sihlouette #interestingthings #photographyart by @zirephotos

One of my all time favorite #Emcees #Repost @thewhatishiphopproject
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Happy and Blessed bEarth Day to #HipHop’s Black Panda aka @jeru_thedamaja
#hiphopbirthday #brooklyn #emcee #jeruthedamaja #bhhf #photo by @zirephotos

#GenerationX #HipHopBabies #TheWorldIsYours #NYC #Style Peep the #Gameboy Ha! We are in good hands. #everydaypeople #street #hiphop #portrait #photo by @zirephotos

#Moko #Jumbie #Stilt #Dancing #Tradition #African #West #African #Rhythmic #Village of #Brooklyn #everydaypeople #street #photo by @zirephotos

Testimonies and Reviews

Testimonial Gallery

~ Debra C.

"...All your pics came out fabulous"

~ Nakia W.

"★ ★ ★ ★ ★"The experience was awesome and creative. I really liked the creative option presented to us. The season was wonderful and a good time."

~ Pablo S

"Ty of ZirePhotos makes you look great...he's passionate about his art and he's a professional to work with, I would hire him again...best of luck and hope to take some more pictures with you."

~ Jaquesha

Thank you!!! I must say this image is absolutely amazing!!! It has been an honor to work with you. This image tells a story of the pure creative energy of true artists. I am looking forward to working with you again in the future. Thank you again and I wish you abundant success.

~ James H.

"Mr. McCants is a rare individual who is always pushing himself to the limits of what he can do. Forever growing in business and state of mind. His accomplishments are grand but only to those who have not seen his to-do list! His vision truly has no horizon. It has always been and will be a pleasure to work with Mr. McCants."

~ T. Williams

"★ ★ ★ ★ ★"I invited Zire to photograph an event at my school and he was amazing. The students, staff and guests were all comfortable with him and the photos looked beautiful. I could not ask for a better record of one of the best days of my life."

~ Xiaoliu L

"★ ★ ★ ★ ★"I've worked with Zire and I had a really fun day, he is a very creative photographer, always comes up with unique Ideas, and he is a very collaborative person, I'm looking forward to working with him soon!!!"

~ Myaisha

"It was great working with u, can't wait to see what we created"

~ Priscilla C.

"★ ★ ★ ★ ★"Mr. Mccants is very professional. He set up the apartment for the shoot and he went way above and beyond. The entire process took two hours. Mr. Mccants was on time for the scheduled shoot, His quality of work is outstanding! I recommended him to several family members, friends, and co-workers. My experience with Mr. Mccants was awesome! I am looking forward to using his services in the future, the pictures are beautiful!"

~ K-Fleye

"★ ★ ★ ★ ★"I stay woke even with one eye. I rarely take posed and planned photos, however when you connect with good people w/ good hearts it works and it's never forced. It was an honor to work with this brother. #blessed # thankful"

~ Coralie H.

"★ ★ ★ ★ ★" I am pleased to write on behalf of Tyrone Z. McCants. I had the pleasure of knowing Zire since 2008. I was impressed with the first photo shoot and have been using him ever since. He is an asset to the field of professional photography. I believe that Zire Photography would be an asset to any business or any client."

~ Mckeever K.

I Enjoyed shooting with you, I look forward to us shooting again.
You are very professional and have a great vision.

~ Lysandra P.

"★ ★ ★ ★ ★" Zire Photography encourages you to be at your best. And it shows in each shot. He promised High quality and delivered*"

~Syreeta B.

"It was a joyous experience, I felt on top of the world. You have renewed, revitalized and energized the rich chocolate authenticity inside, something I have not paid attention to for a while, thanks for that."

~ Yanelle D.

"★ ★ ★ ★ ★"I admit when our band leader hired TZ McCants of Zire Photography to shoot our band/individual promo shots, I didn't expect much, I couldn't have been more off base. He not only captured our individual essence, but he captured the whole vibe of our band in just a couple of clicks of his camera. I even utilize his shot of me for my company logo, UnBelievable Jones, LLC. I can't wait to work with him again on my upcoming single/project...through his eyes."