Sy'Kia Bates is a director and photographer born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She began her photography journey shooting self-portraits and then branched out to shooting portraits of other people. Her work celebrates the richness and complexity of the human experience. She seeks to tell their stories in a way that is both visually stunning and deeply personal, capturing the essence of their unique experiences and perspectives.

Sy'Kia has directed and/or produced music videos, commercials, and short films. Her films capture the essence of a community; the truth and the beauty. When Sy'Kia is not behind the camera, she can be found helping out in other ways on set, including set design, stage design, and more.