In honor of National Photography Month, Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (FAMU SJGC) is proud to spotlight fall 2024 graduate Kyrease Desseau. After recently completing his degree in graphic design, Desseau is headed to the big leagues—literally. This summer, he will intern with Major League Baseball (MLB) in New York as a photo intern in the national communications department.
Desseau, an accomplished graphic designer and visual storyteller, has quickly become a respected and sought-after photographer on the national scene. During his time on “The Hill,” he simultaneously provided photography coverage for major brands including Nike, Paramount, Target, and Xfinity.
He credits his evolution as a self-described “multimedia creative” to his SJGC training and the connections he made on campus.
Desseau also says his journey has been shaped by a family that encouraged both his creativity and his resilience.
“Growing up, I was always drawn to photography thanks to my grandmother and Uncle Carl, who made sure I had access to a camera,” Desseau said.
An injury in high school, where he was a member of the track team, turned out to be a defining moment. Unable to compete, he sought a new way to engage with and uplift others. Then, his childhood love for photography was reignited.
“I picked the camera back up and realized I could use it to help my friends gain exposure. Some even made it to college teams and the NFL,” he said. “That experience sparked my passion: using photography to spotlight others and tell meaningful stories.”
His selection to join the MLB communications team follows his recent internship with the College Football Playoff National Championship, where he captured history from the sidelines as Ohio State and Notre Dame faced off for the title.
For Desseau, these opportunities are not just about personal advancement; they are about visibility for HBCU talent.
“This opportunity means a lot to me as a proud product of HBCU photographers,” Desseau said. “I carry the responsibility of showing that my creativity has no limits, regardless of skin color or background. This is bigger than me. I am a representative of my community and my university. I truly appreciate MLB for recognizing the talent that HBCUs breed and creating opportunities for recent graduates to get their foot in the door.”
He added, “To have brands like Nike, Target and Xfinity trust my vision this early on is humbling. It motivates me to keep showing up, not just for myself, but for the people who believed in me.”
Desseau transferred to FAMU in 2021 from Allen County Community College, where he earned an associate of arts degree. Once at FAMU, he positioned himself to gain as much experience as possible, as early as possible.
As an undergraduate, he quickly drew the attention of national programs such as the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program and the HBCU Getty Images Mentorship Program. He also worked as a lead creative photography intern for FAMU Athletics, supported SJGC’s communications team, and contributed to student media outlets including Journey Magazine, FAMU TV-20 and The FAMUAN.
He was active in the campus NAACP chapter and volunteered his creative services at community events and for nonprofits. Lending his talent in so many ways allowed him to hone his skills and advance in capturing dynamic imagery in sports, corporate, lifestyle, entertainment, political, and academic settings across local, regional and national platforms.
“I knew I had to hit the ground running and get involved in opportunities that aligned with my career goals,” Desseau said. “I started my journey in student media with FAMU TV-20, volunteering as a camera operator for the ‘Coach Willie Simmons Show’ under the leadership of Director Edward Thomas. After a few months, I had an honest conversation with Director Thomas and told him my true passion was sports photography. He encouraged me to connect with Josh Padilla in FAMU Athletics, who was the sports information director at the time.”
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Desseau’s photography for nine FAMU Athletics teams over four years has impressed fans, media organizations, and employers alike across the country. His images, capturing football, baseball, soccer, basketball and more, have been seen and celebrated by millions. Desseau also embraced entrepreneurship, founding and managing his own studio, KMDStudios, as a student, and he continues to serve as its leader and creative director today.
“Honestly, it is a blessing. None of it would have been possible without God,” Desseau said. “He has brought me through challenges that pushed me to grow, speak up and find a community on which I could lean. I am especially grateful for people like Josh Padilla, Devin P. Grimes, Christian Whitaker, Germanie Bozeman, Ashley Bigbee, Jai Syncere Smith, Jonathan David, and Nick Jonas. Each of them played a part in supporting me within the Rattler community and helping me get where I am today.”
