Creative direction.
Visual storytelling.
Cultural experiences.
I help artists get seen and brands get it right.
Featured Work
Portfolio
Where I’ve Been
Brands, institutions and projects I’ve worked with.
THE ANDERSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS
DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC PROGRAMS
FACEBOOK / META
PHOTO ART DIRECTOR
Exxon PHOTOGRAPHER
Glossier PHOTO RESEARCHER
NBA PHOTOGRAPHER
TANIUM
PHOTO EDITOR
PERSONAL PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHER
US @ 250
PHOTO EDITOR
PERSONAL PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHER
IBM
PHOTO EDITOR
Evolv
PHOTO EDITOR
FIGHTBALL PHOTOGRAPHER
Microsoft
PHOTO EDITOR
Adyen
PHOTO EDITOR
10+ years in creative leadership
100+ creatives mentored
15+ exhibitions and programs
Juror for FotoFest, ICP, Photolucida + PhotoNOLA
Most of my work lands in one of three places.
For institutions and communities Exhibitions, curation, residencies, public programs and partnerships. I bring artists, audiences and sponsors into the same room, and I make sure the artists are the reason everyone came.
For artists Workshops, portfolio reviews, mentorship and the Artist Vision workbook. I help multi-hyphenate creatives figure out where they're headed, say what they're worth, and keep building without disappearing inside the work.
For brands Art direction, photography, editorial production and visual research for brands and organizations looking to connect with audiences through culturally informed storytelling. I've done it for Meta, Glossier, Exxon, IBM and the NBA, and my standard hasn't changed: the people in the frame should recognize themselves.
Nice to meet you. I’m Allison.
Allison Retina Stewart-Creeks
I grew up in Humble, studied photography at Parsons, and spent my twenties in New York. I edited photos for the NBA, art directed for Meta, and worked on Nike, IBM and Microsoft at Godfrey Dadich Partners.
Now I'm back home in Houston, working with brands and artists. I run Free Juice, the nonprofit I started in 2021 for emerging image-makers. I wrote Artist Vision, a workbook for creatives who want to plan without burning out. And I sit on portfolio reviews and juries for FotoFest, ICP, Photolucida and PhotoNOLA.
Every project starts with the same two questions: what's the end goal, and where's the coffee?
What I Build:
In Practice
What’s on my desk right now.
In Every Form: Wyntress X'ion
On October 2, ten years of Wyntress X'ion's work filled one room at CoolxDad. I moderated a conversation with her about how the work got here and where it goes next.
5 Min With… [ with artists, for artists ]
Short conversations with artists, galleries and cultural voices, on the artists and work worth slowing down for.
Living Creative
Episode 3 of Living Creative, a Glitch & Grit docuseries about creative lives that don't fit a job title.
Directed and produced by Kelly Bernard. Executive produced by Jemma Castiglione.
Free Juice — Mentorship for Emerging Creatives
Free Juice is the nonprofit I started in 2021 for emerging BIPOC photographers and digital artists. Each cohort goes through an 8-week mentorship program, then shows the work in a community exhibition. We also host talks and workshops that open doors early-career artists usually have to find on their own.
Upcoming: PhotoNola | Dec 2-6, New Orleans, Portfolio Reviewer
My newsletter on Linkedin. Notes on photography careers, curating, and running a creative business from Houston.
Life Through My Lens
The Artist Vision Workbook
Designed for the artist in process.
Prompts and reflection pages to help you see what you're building, how much you can actually carry, and what gets your attention next. Now on the shelf at the CultureCon 2026 bookstore.
A 20-page workbook for artists who are done planning their year around burnout.
Through reflection, intention-setting, and structured prompts, Artist Vision helps you understand what you’re building, what you have capacity for, and what deserves your attention next.
Bulk + workshop orders available for classrooms, artist programs, retreats, creative teams, and community experiences.
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For brands
Creative + art direction, advertising and editorial
Photography + photo editing
Shoot production + casting
Visual research + social content
For artists
Portfolio reviews + mentorship
Artist Vision workshops + workbook
Artist management + representation (add once you announce)
For institutions + communities
Exhibition curation
Residencies + public programs
Mentorship programs for emerging artists
Speaking + panel moderation
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2026
Southwest Airlines FRP, Houston Airports + Houston Arts Alliance, Juror
ShibARTi 2026, Composition Judge
FotoFest, The Meeting Place Portfolio Review, Reviewer (2024–2026)
2025
Harris County Department of Education, Art & Writing Awards, Juror
PhotoNOLA, Juror
Photolucida Critical Mass, Juror (2023–2025)
2024
Flats Camera, Shoot the Shit Photo Crit, Reviewer
2022–2024
Diversify Photo, Portfolio Reviewer + Member
ICP, Portfolio Reviewer
Parsons School of Design, BFA Photography Portfolio Reviewer
2022
Women Photograph, Grant Juror
NYC FotoWorks, Portfolio Reviewer
APA San Diego, Untitled Exhibition
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Topics I Speak On Creative Leadership · Art Direction · Creativity + Business · DEI in the Arts · Community-Centered Programming · Planning Without Burnout
2026
"In Every Form: Works by Wyntress X'ion," Moderator, presented by State & Theory x CoolxDad
"5 Min With: Untitled Art Houston," Host, special edition of my interview series
2023
"POST Work: Learning with Allison Retina Stewart," Panelist, presented by POST HTX
"Best Practices for Choosing Photos for Digital Experiences," Lecturer, California College of the Arts
2021
"Culture & Cause: Highlighting Women in Photography," Panel Moderator, presented by MOPA & APA San Diego
"Black Women Photographers Mentorship Program," Mentor, presented by West Elm
2019
"Brunch & Black Excellence," Panelist, presented by Kean University NCNW
"Where TF Do We Start," Panel Moderator, presented by Free Juice & SBGM