In the high-octane world of nightlife and celebrity culture, few photographers capture the raw energy of the moment quite like King Villy. The 24-year-old visionary behind the brand 21 Shots has quickly turned a birthday inspiration into a career that places him inches away from the industry’s biggest stars.
Originally from Roosevelt, NY, Villy has traded the quiet life for the flashing lights of the club scene, proving that in the world of photography, fortune favors the bold.
The Spark of a Vision
Every great artist has a “day zero.” For Villy, it wasn’t a classroom or a textbook; it was a feeling. “When I saw my older brother Chino do a photoshoot for me on my birthday, he showed me the photos and I saw how good it felt to capture a moment I can cherish for life. After that, I realized how hard I wanted to go to get my own camera.”That drive led him to study the greats of the social media era. Citing Shotz By Santana and shotsbyoa as his primary visual influences, Villy began crafting a style that felt authentic to the streets and the stage.
The “21 Shots” Aesthetic: Nightlife, Celebrity, Fashion
Defining his style in three words—Nightlife, Celebrity, and Fashion—Villy found his “home” in the industry through the ultimate validation: the DM. When artists like Loe Shimmy and Power actor Kris D. Lofton personally reached out to request and post his work, Villy knew his perspective wasn’t just hobbyist—it was professional.
Today, his demographic is the elite. If there is a red carpet, a VIP section, or a high-end club, 21 Shots is likely there.
The Hustle and the “White Whale”
Villy’s reputation is built on a “by any means necessary” philosophy. He recalls a night in Charlotte when Offset arrived with a massive entourage.
“I blended in, got past security, and made it all the way to his section,” Villy laughs. It was a marathon night that saw him shooting No Cap, Bellygang Kushington, Offset, and OG Three across three different venues.
However, the job comes with its regrets. Villy recalls his “white whale” moment—a missed shot of Joseline Hernandez during a wild club appearance. “I went to tie my Timberlands and I missed that clean opportunity,” he admits. It’s a reminder that in this business, a split second is the difference between a viral hit and a memory.
The Business of Imagery
Villy is more than just a man with a shutter; he’s a strategist. Backed by NoRestriction Records Inc., his work is marketed on a global scale, ensuring his portfolio reaches far beyond his home state. If he weren’t behind the lens, Villy notes he’d likely be running a Black Truck business or a clothing line. “I always had the business mind to be in the celebrity field,” he says.
Words for the Next Generation
For the aspiring shooters watching his rise, Villy’s advice is as gritty and direct as his photos:
• Invest in yourself: “Don’t go cheap on gear. Your work will show how much you spent.”
• Take the leap: Buy the camera you want now, not later.
• The Secret Sauce: “NETWORK.”
“I see the vision behind networking,” Villy concludes. “Some media shooters are not willing to do anything to get that shot. But I will.”
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(@its21shots) • Instagram photos and videos
