When Elton Anderson isn’t breaking the internet with color coordinated, melanin-filled images of his epic globe-trotting adventures with friends, he’s juggling many hats as a celebrity photographer, content creator and co-host of the upcoming travel show “Lens of Culture” on Cleo TV.
“My co-host, Tai Beauchamp, and I are going to take you to a lot of new places you typically don’t see on travel shows, as well as some familiar places but through the eyes of black millennials,” he reveals. “We are also going to take a deep dive into the culture of each destination through food, people and its history.”
Born and bred in Detroit, the self-proclaimed Halfrican—thanks to his American father and Liberian mother—credits his camera for providing “the freedom to create the life that I want.”
His lens has captured the likes of Diddy, Issa Rae, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu and Spike Lee, to name a few. He also created a platform for creatives called Creators of Color (thecreatorsofcolor.com). –Tamara Crockett
What’s your philosophy when it comes to your signature style?
Comfort is always the most important, but I’ve learned that bright colors and patterns really look good on my skin, so I tend to take risks in that area. And tailoring is the best investment you can ever make in your clothes. A good fit will change the way you look in person and most importantly pictures.
Do you have a signature style that you wear anywhere? What are your favorite garments to pack?
I have a basic style uniform that consists of black jeans, denim shorts, three T-shirts and some black Vans. Honestly, my favorite garments to pack are swim trunks. I’m always chasing summer and the beach, so a good swim trunk is key, and they can be worn as shorts with the right shirt.
Who, what or where are your favorite style inspirations from
around the world?
I am so inspired by the various cultures I get to experience while traveling. The city with the best style, in my opinion, is Tokyo, Japan — especially when it comes to streetwear. I also think that the men of West and South Africa have an innate sense of style that is finally being celebrated throughout the world.
What are your best travel tips for men?
(1) Pack light. When I noticed that I would only wear about 60 percent of what I packed, I made the decision to pack more like a minimalist. Everything you will ever need for a one-week trip should fit in a carryon.
(2) Invest in a carry-on with wheels.
(3) Get a good travel credit card with points and rewards. If you play it right, you can earn enough reward points to take you and your special lady on a free trip, and she doesn’t have to know that it was virtually free.
