They say that a photo is worth a thousand words. Why should those words be expected and familiar to those who know you? There is nothing at all that says you can’t control the narrative of your photos to have them tell a story that you want to tell. This is where visual storytelling comes in. This is your chance to work with me to create a specific dialog through photos. There is no limit to what we can put together, and the story can be factual, or total fantasy. The choice is yours. Conceptual photography is my chance to create art around something that moves you. It could be a part of who you are, or it could be a part that you want to play. One of the most fun parts about being in front of the camera is that you get to play dress-up and play a character. That character can be you, or it can be someone else entirely.
Visual storytelling is a type of photography that I have been doing for years through my decay subjects. From a simple photograph, or series of photos, I’ve attempted to create a reality around that particular subject. Now that I am doing more and more people photography, I’ve started to apply some of those same concepts for my clients to tell their stories. This could be illustrating a journey that you have taken in your life to get to where you are now, or it could just be a chance to put yourself into a situation that you have always dreamed about. What story would you like to tell in front of a camera?
This is a very special part of my photography and usually results in the most rewarding photographs because there is a lot of creative energy put towards the session. It all starts with a free consultation by phone or in person where we discuss what you would like to portray. I’ll bring my creative ideas to the table, and we will start to put together a concept for the session. Every aspect will be discussed from where we are going to do the shoot, what the wardrobe should look like, what kinds of photographs will be created, and what mood will be set. This will be a true collaboration as we fine tune the ideas and ultimately create a storyboard for the entire session.
The following slide show is an example of this visual storytelling as it describes a true warrior who has overcome addiction and realized the life that she has always wanted. This was a very emotional experience, not only for her, but for me as well. These photos are just a small selection of the 79 images that captured her journey. The idea was cultivated over the course of a couple of months to arrive at what can only be described as an unforgettable experience.
The idea of conceptual photography is a very fun way of doing photography for both me and for the client. This is a chance for the client to actually act out a part or a character. There are none of the restrictions of typical portrait photography, and we don’t have to be concerned with capturing “real life.” This is a chance to play in front of the camera. It can be a day of dress-up where you wear things out of the ordinary, or in different ways. It can be a day of cosplay, or where you just spend time being a certain character. Whatever this looks like for you, I’m happy to discuss the options and figure out the best way to capture the concept.
In the following collection of photos, I collaborated with Sabrina who enjoys playing different parts in front of a camera. She has some very unique gifts when it comes to how she can pose which was the springboard for the idea here. I saw her as a puppet, or marionette, but with a slightly different twist. She loved the idea, and we set to work on creating the entire concept that we eventually shot together. This gallery is but a small collection of what was delivered but is representative of what we did create. It was all done in the studio, and we spent a good deal of time discussing the overall vibe of what we were going for so that when it came time for the shoot to happen, we were both on the same page and ready to roll.
In this next slide show, my client was wanting to have an elegant set designed with flowers to showcase the dress that she would be wearing. We discussed the colors in the dress as well as the style and I started to build out a set in the studio. I sourced props that would work for the concept and communicated at each step of the process to make sure that we were on the same page creatively. When the time came to start the session, she just had to get into character and the photos flowed. These are just a few of the shots from the full gallery that was provided to her.
Here we have a Halloween photo shoot with a witchy vibe. For simplicity in finding a location, we chose to use the wooded areas around the studio for safety and privacy during the shoot. I do enjoy the flexibility of being able to offer both a full 900sqft studio as well as natural settings outside. There have been many times that I’ve utilized both settings in a single session.
If you have an idea that you would like to see in photos, let’s start talking about it. The consultation is free, and I’ll put all my creative energy into making your idea come together in photos. Why not bring a little bit of Hollywood into your photo session and make it a really fun experience? As they say, “all the world is a stage!”
Studio location: Purlear, NC (near Wilkesboro, off of US 421). By appointment only.
Location shoots available: I am conveniently located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, but willing to travel within reason to meet your needs.
Specific services available: Professional headshots, individual and family sessions, maternity photos, couples’ portraits, engagement photos, senior photos, boudoir, figure studies, and other creative or themed sessions.
Contact me for a consultation: 336-681-0220, or email at [email protected]
Privacy Policy: My client’s privacy is of the utmost concern for me. I will not share any images, or client names without prior approval from the client and with a model release signed. All digitally delivered photographs will be done through a secure and password protected method.