Photography Mentorship Results in Alternatives to Seize and Doc History for SJGC Grad Kyrease Desseau

As a worldwide chief in visible content material, Getty Images is creating pathways for rising photographers to realize entry, expertise, and publicity by way of its HBCU Student Photographer Mentorship Program.

Designed to supply hands-on mentorship, business perception, and career-building alternatives, this system helps aspiring visible professionals from traditionally Black schools and universities throughout the nation. Florida A&M University is among the many establishments benefiting from the initiative.

The journey of 2024 FAMU School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (FAMU SJGC) graduate Kyrease Desseau by way of the mentorship program is a shining instance of the facility of partnerships with firms like Getty Images that imagine in tapping into HBCU college students’ expertise.

Desseau joined this system whereas enrolled as a graphic design pupil at FAMU SJGC. As he realized and labored below the steering of a few of Getty Images’ world-class photographers and editorial employees, his expertise was shortly acknowledged and cultivated, resulting in alternatives to {photograph} a number of the greatest moments in sports activities final yr. He continues to work with Getty Images and, thus far, has printed almost 300 pictures as a contributor.

One of the alternatives Desseau acquired was an project to cowl Major League Baseball (MLB), which regularly companions with Getty Images to supply images mentorship experiences for college kids. He was certainly one of three rising HBCU photographers chosen to seize final summer season’s annual HBCU Swingman Classic, a marquee kickoff event of MLB All-Star Week. His protection included teaching from each MLB and Getty Images editorial groups.

The occasion highlighted the historical past and legacy of HBCU baseball packages. Baseball legends like occasion founder Ken Griffey Jr., FAMU alumnus Andre Dawson and Rubye Lucas, the widow of Bill Lucas, the primary African American common supervisor in MLB historical past, had been part of the occasion. Desseau was entrance and middle, documenting the motion and creating photos that are actually a part of nationwide HBCU baseball historical past.

Desseau and two different Getty Images mentees captured 50 HBCU baseball gamers throughout MLB’s 2025 Swingman Classic,  showcasing their expertise on a nationwide stage. 
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

“The connections made and the insights gained during mentoring sessions empower mentees to navigate the industry with confidence, paving the way for greater representation and success,” Desseau mentioned about his experiences.

As a results of these connections and the hands-on skilled growth he acquired, Desseau was invited to further protection alternatives. His portfolio now boasts photos documenting baseball video games between a number of skilled groups.

But the alternatives didn’t cease there.

Equipped with expertise overlaying “America’s favorite pastime” on his resume, in 2025 Desseau was invited to take part in a brand new venture to doc historical past and assist the FAMU Communications Office’s imaginative and prescient to protect and license the college’s wealthy visible historical past by way of digitizing its images archives as part of Getty Images’ Photo Archive Grants Program for HBCUs.  

The content licensing partnership makes FAMU’s up to date and archival content material accessible to a worldwide viewers by way of Getty Images’ platform, which homes the HBCU Collection and contains content material from a number of schools and universities nationwide.

Working in collaboration with Getty Images and different program companions, Desseau continues to have alternatives to be mentored by business leaders, together with one-on-one work with Getty Images’ manufacturing accomplice, Ribu (previously generally known as AdnetGlobal). He’s additionally working with and studying the enterprise aspect of the business from Cassandra Illidge, vp of world partnerships and government director of the HBCU Grants Program at Getty Images.  

“Kyrease Desseau has played a key role in thoughtfully reviewing and selecting images that reflect the depth and richness of Florida A&M University’s history, making them an integral part of this program,” Illidge mentioned. “His enthusiasm for history and commitment to visual storytelling have proven to be invaluable assets, strengthening efforts to preserve and elevate FAMU’s legacy.”

Desseau receives mentorship from Cassandra Illidge and Matt Flor as a part of Getty Images’ HBCU Grants Program in partnership with FAMU’s Communications Office. The effort preserves and licenses the college’s visible historical past.
Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications

Rachel James-Terry, senior director of strategic communications for FAMU, additionally works carefully with Desseau. She mentioned the partnership with Getty Images is about way more than preserving a group. It’s about making certain Florida A&M University’s historical past, achievements, and cultural legacy are precisely documented. And Desseau is now part of that legacy.

“Kyrease has played a meaningful role in helping us organize and expand our visual archive with care, creativity, and a genuine appreciation for the significance of this work,” she mentioned. “He’s part of a new generation of visual storytellers who recognize that preserving history is just as important as creating it. We are happy to have him on board.”

Desseau mentioned the chance to assist archive the work of photographers who got here earlier than him and to see life by way of the lens of generations of FAMUans has given him a brand new appreciation for his craft. He additionally contributes to captions, metadata, and photograph enhancement, work that helps audiences discover the cherished and even misplaced moments that images helps to memorialize.

“Historical opportunities have always meant the world to me,” he mentioned. “I’ve discovered the stories of many successful individuals who attended Florida A&M University or visited the campus for events.”

Adding this expertise to his visible storytelling repertoire has ignited a ardour in Desseau for making certain that future generations can join with the contributions of the previous. He famous that he at all times desires to make sure persons are conscious of the numerous position previous college photographers have performed in narrating historical past by way of their lenses, even earlier than know-how advanced.

“It is inspiring to know that my work is allowing others, including myself, to witness the evolution of the university,” he mentioned.

Desseau added that Getty Images has created a program that has not solely opened doorways for him however continues to open doorways for HBCU college students, graduates and rising Black creators across the nation. He is worked up about this system’s future and about seeing extra visible storytellers like him showcase their expertise and develop it with the assistance of business specialists.

“This initiative not only highlights the pathways available to us but also fosters a sense of community, reminding us that we are not alone on this journey,” Desseau mentioned.

Learn extra about Getty Images HBCU packages here.

Click here to view a few of FAMU’s archival photos which have been digitally restored in addition to up to date occasion protection that’s now accessible for licensing on gettyimages.com within the HBCU Collection.

View a few of Desseau’s images on Getty Images here.

Watch his 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic expertise with MLB and Getty Images under.