I love to take a strong photograph and add a quote or text to it. The impact of imagery becomes double fold. You have control over how the viewer sees the image. Throughout my career I have used words, music, lyrics and quotes to make my images more meaningful.
Every year, I enter my professional association’s (PPANJ) annual image competition. Submitting images for competitions makes you grow as a photographer, an artist and a person. I’ve made it a personal goal to submit an album every year. The album is a collection of images that I retouch, organize, add art work and then usually retouch again.
My makeup artist extraordinaire, Jamie Cavatelli, who is also a model extraordinaire, was my muse for this year’s album titled “A Million Sunflowers”. The shoot took place at Holland Ridge Farms where we just caught the last blooming sunflowers of the season. I had a vision in mind so we pulled clothing from Jamie’s closet and from my collection of props and outfits. We took full advantage of the overcast day and photographed quickly because the farm closed before the optimal time to photograph. After leaving Holland Ridge, we headed for a wildlife preserve to complete the session. The sun made a last minute appearance to give us a few minutes of the special light called the golden hour.
Author Demetra Demi Gregorakis inspired the design of the album when I read her beautiful poetry. Her book “Love Letters in The Wall, Agape Edition” contained the final touches to my collection of images. She graciously allowed me to pull quotes to use in the album.
The finished project was a labor of love. I used quotes to emphasize the strength and beauty of Jamie and to show her fierce determination and inner peace.
If you would love your own album of portraits and quotes, I have a few ideas in mind for next year’s album!
Send me an email to create something beautiful together.
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