5 Questions – Myrina Otey-Myton

5 Questions- A Critical Mass for the Visual Arts Podcast

Ep. 66.- Myrina Otey-Myton

Welcome listeners to 5 Questions: A Critical Mass for the Visual Arts Podcast in which we ask 5 questions of our interviewees aimed at positioning and contextualizing their respective bodies of work within the St. Louis artworld.This episode we’re talking with Myrina ‘Renaissance’ Otey-Myton.

Myrina is a fashion, portrait and event photographer born and raised in St. Louis, MO. She is a wife, mother of 5 (soon to be 6), daughter, aunt, sister, and community collaboratHER. She graduated from UMSL in 2018 with a B.A. in Psychology, Workplace Science. As a native to St. Louis, her love and adoration for people of color has inspired her to learn more. Through her journey she has become fascinated with the constant evolution of black people, from our intelligence, fashion, art and natural state as expressive beings to all that we’ve overcome. Myrina first picked up a camera as a young girl learning from her father, Michael D. Otey Sr. After losing her job in 2016, she picked it up again and began freelancing. In May 2020, she opened up her first photography studio, Renaissance TJS Studios where she captures mostly women of color, encouraging them to tap into their confidence and beauty in front of her lens. Myrina’s studio is an all inclusive experience with makeup, wardrobe styling, creative direction and hype conversation. She has recently photographed Vice President Kamala Harris, and is currently on tour with Janelle Monáe.

With Myrina ‘Renaissance’ Otey-Myton and Joe Kohlburn

Editor – Sarah Hammond

Producer – Brett Williams