GREG KISER
PHOTOGRAPHER
Photography isn't only about documenting what is seen at that particular moment. Photography, if done correctly, is about the subject's past and future as much as its present. My approach to photography is more about the story behind the subject or scene that I place in front of the camera. This allows me to capture the imagination of the viewer who can then create their own reality around what is being photographed. My hope is that every person that sees my work will see it differently and bring a part of themselves into the frame.
I have been a photographer in some capacity since 2005, when I became very interested in the technical process behind capturing images with a camera. Photography quickly became a form of stress relief for me while working for a municipal Police Department in North Carolina. In time though, my love for photography and the landscape surpassed my want to be a Police Officer and I left my 20-year career in September 2019, to pursue my passion. I have always been very fortunate to live in the state of North Carolina and have spent most of my formative years in the Piedmont which gave me easy access to both the coast as well as the mountains. It was the mountains that eventually won my heart though. After graduating Appalachian State University in 1996, with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, I have been wanting to spend more and more time back in the mountains. By the Spring of 2020, my wife and I had moved into the area of Wilkes County which was right on the doorstep of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and my personal slice of heaven.
Through the years of being a photographer, I have worked in many of the sub genres of landscape photography and found that I really enjoyed "decay photography". This is a type of art based on the Japanese concept of Wabi-sabi which celebrates the beauty of all stages of life, including the inevitable decline. This type of subject is very often found in the rural areas across the state and has become the subject of some of my most popular prints. There is a certain uniqueness to the decay subjects because age treats everything differently.
In the early 2020's, I added portraiture to my offerings and began the dive into the rabbit hole of photographing people. This has been a very exciting change to my photographic pursuits. While I still focus on my landscape and decay work, there is a certain amount of creative energy that can only be exercised when photographing people either on location or in my own home studio. It is yet another area where my creative visions can be seen.
Whether I am photographing a person, a grand landscape, a mountain stream, or an old, rusted Cadillac next to a barn, I have always strived to introduce not only the beauty I see into the composition, but also a sense of emotion. I try to tell a story with my images and create an emotional attachment for the viewer. This goal has always been critical in my photography because it will mean the difference between just a quick look, or a lingering connection to a piece. I truly feel that art should be enjoyed without being rushed; so, my images are designed in a way that invites further investigation into the photograph.
Over the years I have earned several awards and some notoriety through my photography which includes a segment on "Roy's Folks" in 2010. This was a long standing WGHP, Fox 8 News feature in my hometown of Winston Salem, NC, that talked about interesting people in all walks of life. It was those two minutes of fame (I counted) that cemented me as one of the notable artists in the area.
TONI KISER
PHOTO WENCH
Behind every good photographer....
...is the photographer's "Photo Wench." This is my beautiful wife, Toni. Not only does she support my want to be a starving artist, she has a great eye for interesting subjects that I tend to miss from time to time. She also keeps me in fresh lens caps when she drops them down to the bottom of waterfalls. By the way, if anyone finds a Canon 77mm lens cap at the bottom of the Cascades at EB Jeffress Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway, that would be mine.
I am very lucky to have Toni as part of my team. It is because of her that I have really spent a great deal of time and effort in photographing trees, as those are her favorite subjects. She also has a keen eye for black and white compositions and if I ever have a question as to whether or not I should keep one, she is there with the definitive answer. Not only does she help me with my art, she is also an artist herself. Her chosen method is through pastel chalks, and she gets much of her inspiration from my images which is a great way to work together with our two disciplines.
Toni is a real patient woman to be such a great Photo Wench. She can attest to how boring a landscape photo shoot can be. We often times will sit for an hour or more just to capture a picture of a single tree so we can move on. While I'm sure it is no fun for her most of the time, I sure do enjoy the company, and sometimes the voice of reason when I'm blocking out my own good sense.