Today we’d like to introduce you to Tabari Garcia-Muhammad.
Hi Tabari, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in Atlanta, GA and as a lifelong fan of film, I spent lots of spare time sitting and escaping to countless worlds. We had a big family that watched films in the living room. I was inspired by the films of James Cameron, Spike Lee, and Robert Rodriquez and fell in love with the multitude of stories and the many ways to tell them. I have over 300 books, lots of art and music. At 25, my parents bought me a point and shoot camera for my birthday. This was their way of investing in me. Over the next 5 years, I would teach myself so much about the technical side of photography. I got myself a couple of gigs but nothing major. It wasn’t until I met my wife Neysa in 2020, an amazing photographer in her own right, that I committed to starting a media company. We would find the photography and videography clients ourselves and create the work we wanted to see in the world. We decided to move to LA in 2022 to build the business and our lives on our own terms.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There has definitely been many a challenge. Starting over in a new city, where you don’t know anyone is not a task for the weak. That first year was pretty lonely for us but we had each other so we found a way. Plus we lived by the beach and great street food, so that definitely helped. The biggest challenge for me has been being away from my family for so long. To help with that I’ve been hosting virtual calls like we did in the pandemic with family and that’s always a hit.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As I’m sure you’re aware, entrepreneurs wear many hats. At Ginger and Carrot Productions, I am responsible for videography, editing and operations. We are known for commitment to telling authentic stories in the most cinematic way possible. I am most proud of being in a published cookbook called “My Cali-Creole Kitchen” by Chef Ryan Rondeno which features our photos for all his recipes. It was such an amazing experience working with him, even though he had us working chef hours.
More recently, I directed my biggest short film for the 48 Hour Film Project. I have done smaller stuff in the past but this was the biggest production I have ever been in charge of. For those unfamiliar, we have 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit the film. Our assigned genre was Horror and we had an absolute BLAST producing this freaky, creepy film. It’s called Salem Sisters and you can find it on our Ginger and Carrot Productions Youtube channel.
It was such an emotional rollercoaster of a weekend but I CANNOT wait to direct again.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I think it was my 13th birthday when my parents got me a PS2. They made me a gamer! Though it wasn’t another ten years until we caught our dad playing Call of Duty: Black Ops in his own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gingerandcarrot.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gingerandcarrotprod/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabarimuhammad/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gingerandcarrotproductions
Image Credits
Butter Cake Shoppe – The Pink Cookie
Lauren Morrison – Be In The room Coaching
Po’ Up Cards
Chef Ryan Rondeno
