The creative block is an inevitable part of the creative process. It’s a hurdle most artists dread overcoming, but it can also serve as a reminder to return to oneself. 

Ryant Randle, a multidisciplinary artist from Baltimore, Maryland, and one-third of the Skribl collective, recently went through a bout of creative block that forced him to recenter. As artists, we typically draw inspiration from external sources like movies,museums, and nature. For Ryant, it was a song that sparked his next creative move. That project is “Feeling Myself”, a photo series he creative directed and shot with Skribl member Alexander Marc.

After listening to the song, Ryant knew his next project had to convey the same feeling it gave him: confidence and the courage to create again. In this interview, Ryant and I discuss the process of creating “Feeling Myself” and the emotional journey of refinding confidence as an individual and creative.

Who or what inspired this photoshoot?

R: My biggest inspiration going into this shoot was myself. I say this because, for some time, I’ve been experiencing one of the biggest creative blocks of my life. I didn’t know what was next because, at times, I felt like I had already experienced doing a million and one things. In other words, this shoot became about my freedom as an artist—my redemption.

What does “feeling himself” mean to you?

R: The term “Feeling Myself” came to me while I was listening to an artist, NM. Something about it reminded me to have confidence in myself and remember who the fuck I was—even if it was only for a day or two. But that feeling stuck with me. From that day forward, I honestly just started feeling myself again.

Did the photoshoot go smoothly from start to finish (pre-
production to post-production)?

R: The production process was honestly not what I expected. I was running late, the strobes started dying within minutes of the first scene, and there were definitely moments where I had to figure things out on the fly. But somehow, Alex and I made everything work.

My favorite part was having Alex shoot in the tall grass. It felt effortless and cinematic. It’s such a blessing to have a valuable, genuine friendship with Alex. His creativity and the confidence he brings into a creative space are like a battery that keeps recharging me. LOL.

What equipment did you use?

R: I had over four cameras with me for this shoot, but I primarily used my Sony a6400 with an 18–50mm lens. I also switched things up by capturing a few clips and images using Dazz Cam. Lately, I’ve been reminding myself to use every possibility that’s within reach instead of limiting myself to what I think I’m “supposed” to use.

What did this shoot mean for you creatively?

R: Because this was my return to photography, I felt a genuine sense of FREEDOM.

I kept thinking, Wow, this is what I’ve been hiding from. I realized I was finally giving my all back to myself. There was this overwhelming feeling of being free—of allowing myself to create without constantly questioning what comes next.

The biggest skill I used during this project was learning to think outside the box and intentionally do something different from what I’ve done before. I was BUILDING MY AURA, you know?

I also had to remind myself: Let’s not be so serious. Engage. Have fun. Experience things. And remember WHO TF RYANTNOTKAMREN IS as an artist.

What do you hope people take away from the shoot?

R: Honestly, I can’t really say what I hope for. LOL. Of course, I’d love for people to recognize and appreciate the artistry behind it. But more than anything, I want this shoot to serve as a reminder to myself that it’s okay to engage, experiment, and simply create.

We’re not famous. LOL. We’re just artists trying things, finding ourselves, and building something that feels authentic.

But more seriously, God willing, it reaches the right audience—the people who understand it from the very first glimpse. The people who can see the freedom, the confidence, the experimentation, and everything I was trying to say without having to explain it.