Smile More!

Tatsu / 2020

One thing that everyone can do more of these days is smile! A smile is a great expression of joy but it’s also a workout for your facial muscles too. The importance of smiling can never be understated. It’s essential to our mental health and well being.

In this image, I was so captured by the expression of joy on Tatsu’s face that it naturally made me smile when I was reviewing it. This shot was taken between two other posed frames when both Tatsu and I realized we were capturing some truly great images.

I always enjoy working with Tatsu because she has so many different looks and her emotions are always real and raw! I almost never have to coach her to give me something genuine because she is always genuine and flawlessly moves through a shoot.

So take a moment today and find a memory that means so much to you that you can’t help but smile!

For The Love of Portraiture

Madison Evans / 2020

Since I first started photographing images when I was young, I’ve always loved portraits. There has always been a fascination with telling the story of a person. Revealing the complex nature of the subject in one shot has been my drive in portrait photography. In 2020, I made a more conscious effort to take photos that told a story, sparked a question, or conveyed the emotion of my subject at that given time.

This image of Madison quickly became one of my favorite photos of 2020. A year that would be marked by pandemic, tragedy, and isolation. Our session came together out of chance and I really wanted to make the most of the opportunity.

Our inspiration was music and the attitude that it brings to the surface. Capturing the raw emotion in a portrait is always the goal in any shoot I do. Whether it’s a wedding, portraits, or families; I’m always looking for the moments that happen in between that help to tell the story.

The main reason I love this portrait is the expression on Madison’s face. I asked her to sum up 2020 in one facial expression and I feel like she gave me two. On one side, she plays to the shock of how 2020 just kept outdoing itself. And on the other, she played more into the tired and frustrated feeling that many of us felt this year. In all, a full gambit of emotions can be taken from this image and that is why I love this shot so much.