Taking The Creative Path Together
Photos + Story by Cliff Standard Co.
Temi vividly remembers the vibrant people, culture, and landscapes of Nigeria. He grew up in Lagos, Africa’s largest city (double New York's population), which means he experienced a lot of diversity and perspectives from an early age. His family comes from the Yoruba tribe. “We’re a very colorful people,” he says, describing their unique identity. Temi's creativity was cultivated amid this tapestry of culture and lively influences – and though he didn’t grow up wealthy, he found joy. "We did the most with what we had," he reflects, recalling the makeshift paper camera that he ran around with as a child. When he’d see a person or group of friends outside, he would “snap a photo” of them by quickly drawing their stick figures and placing the picture in his camera.
As a pastor's son, Temi and his family journeyed through various Nigerian states before relocating to Calgary, Canada. "It was a culture shock," Temi admits, recalling his astonishment at the uninterrupted electricity and the foreign chill of Canadian winters. “I had like 6 layers on because I was so scared of frostbite,” he said with a laugh. “I didn’t know any better!” They eventually made their way to a warmer climate, landing in Texas when Temi was a bit older.
Afritina's upbringing, in some ways, paralleled Temi's nomadic upbringing. Her childhood, shaped by her father's military background and her mother's commitment to community service, spanned East Texas, New Mexico, and even a Native American reservation. Her mom played an integral role in helping launch a number of Boys and Girls Club chapters across the nation. "We moved around a lot," she says, revealing a life rich with varied cultural experiences too.
“It was the creativity and storytelling behind it all that excited me,”
Afritina loved sports growing up; she was good at them, playing varsity all four years of high school. In fact, she went on to play college basketball, which led her to an interest and degree in kinesiology and a brief stint in physical therapy. But that eventually took a turn toward retail management, where she really explored her passion for visuals. "It was the creativity and storytelling behind it all that excited me," she explains, pinpointing the moment her career pivoted towards the creative sphere.
The couple's paths converged through their shared love for photography. Afritina, exploring these creative inclinations, reached out to Temi for photography advice. At that time, everyone was blogging and using Instagram and Pinterest. “I thought I would start a fashion blog and do my own photography,” she said. “So I reached out to him, and he was really nice and helpful though I could never afford his services,” she said with a smile.
Temi's experiences led him to the University of Houston, where a switch from biomedical engineering to digital media unlocked his true passion for photography and design. But he was also a self-starter soaking up everything he could. "I honestly learned more from YouTube at the time," he admits, underscoring the curiosity and hustle that later led to his Adobe residency opportunity. He had also started his career as a professional photographer, becoming the go-to guy in his circle for wedding and graduation photos. But despite everyone’s expectations for him, he finished college and became…a high school teacher.
“I’ve always believed in the studio and we’ve always been big fans…so this transition to owners has felt very organic”
Despite being “too young” (according to the administration), he was able to at least begin as a substitute teacher. After a few weeks of observing him and speaking with his students, the principal offered Temi a full-time teaching job. Temi laughed, remembering those first weeks. One teacher yelled at him in the hall to get back to class, thinking he was a student. “I was young…but I think it helped the kids relate on a deeper level,” he said. He was able to actually share music recommendations and talk sports. When I asked why he chose this route, he said, "I wanted the kids to know what was possible.”
Defying the conventional wisdom of his college days that insisted on choosing between photography and design, Temi also embarked on a creative rebellion at this time: While teaching, he would also produce a poster a day, blending both arts. Two years later, he came across the opportunity to apply for the 2018 Adobe Creative Residency–an opportunity he nearly passed up. “I thought, ‘if I get it, great. If not, I’ll still be teaching, so nothing to lose,” he said. To his surprise, Adobe, intrigued by his unique fusion of photography and design, invited him to re-pitch his idea. Despite the tight timeline (he only had two days!), he re-applied and won the position. Temi and Afritina got married on May 5th. The Adobe Residency announcement was made May 6th. “It was a lot at one time,” he recalls. “But now they’re an important part of my story.”
Recently, Afritina and Temi took over ownership of the TX Studio, which was started at Tyler Station in 2018. "We both had the same dream," Temi reflects, recalling their early conversations about wanting a space to let their creative potential run wild. Afritina and Temi remembered walking through the studio on a tour with Doug and Kelsi before it was even open. Afritina was one of the studio’s top clients for many years. “I’ve always believed in the studio and we’ve always been big fans…so this transition to owners has felt very organic,” she said.
“It’s really been like a dream come true,” Temi said. TX Studio represents more than just a physical space; it's a symbol of creative aspirations and a hub for community. "It's a resource for other people," Temi shares, emphasizing the studio's role in nurturing new talent and giving back to the community. Now, as owners of TX Studio, Temi and Afritina are helping others realize their dreams. "Being able to give back to the community" was one of Temi's big motivations.
Whether it's hosting workshops or providing a space for emerging photographers, TX Studio stands as a unique place of inspiration and creativity. You can learn more about the TX Studio by visiting thetxstudio.com
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