The Stories Behind the Photos

When I started shooting formal portraits, I quickly realized that interacting with and learning about my subjects appeals to me as much as the finished photos. The mischievous little girl in the white taffeta communion dress is far more interesting to me when I include the fire engine red cast. I find satisfaction when I can put the very nervous professional colleague at ease and she finally  lets go of  the cringing, “I know this photo is going to suck” look and we get the most amazing photos she’s ever had.

Trained as a journalist, I still take the photos that tell the story that I find to be interesting and provide them as “outtakes” along with the contact sheet/proofs.