Photography

Project Year

2015 - 2024

Skills

Art Direction
Styling & Staging
Storytelling

Challenge

My journey into professional photography began with a plunge into the deep end. Operating within a department constrained by tight budgets, I was determined to enhance the visual identity of our brands. Despite starting with hand-me-down gear, I leveraged my amateur experience to tackle photography with confidence and resourcefulness, striving for exceptional outcomes.

Approach

Being a self-taught photographer without any formal training has taught me that the only way forward is to experiment, a lot. Embracing the unknown with courage and a relentless pursuit of improvement has defined my approach. The photography showcased in my portfolio has been integral to award-winning designs, featured in prestigious publications and celebrated at industry events, underscoring its impact and quality.

Award-Winning Work

The Bijou Collection has garnered prestigious accolades, including Interior Design Magazine’s NYCxDESIGN Award (see linked video at 7:11 – 7:30) and the DPHA’s Product of the Year Award. Notably, both awards spotlighted the photography I captured for the series, further validating its excellence and impact on the industry.

The Guest

As part of the ceremony, winners were presented with a unique version of The Guest, an iconic Lladró creation by Jaime Hayon featuring a vibrant orange base. Hosted by Interior Design magazine’s editor-in-chief, Cindy Allen, the ceremony was a highlight of New York City’s annual NYCxDESIGN Festival, held at The Landing on Pennsylvania Plaza and attended by over 500 industry professionals.

The Bijou Collection

The Bijou Collection is the culmination of years of archival designs from Belwith Keeler’s rich legacy combined with new ideas. These pieces have been reimagined in exceptional, timeless finishes. This is not merely hardware—this is cabinet jewelry.

Rigid lines that once separated the domains of fashion, art, interior design, and architecture have long blurred. Home interiors inspired by fashion have come to the fore, driving trends and energizing designers and customers alike to rethink their space as a reflection of self. Unique, one-a-kind and special.

Our wardrobe is how we project ourselves into the world. Our spaces are a reflection of who we are, what we aspire to be and what we call, “home.” Make it different, make it uniquely “you.”

Creative Process

The setup for the photoshoot was simple yet required meticulous preparation. Conducted at home during the pandemic in late 2021, the first session took place in a makeshift bedroom studio. This involved rearranging furniture and thorough cleaning to minimize dust during post-production. Using what was on hand, I repurposed an old Pier 1 melamine bowl and black sand for the shoot.

These props were arranged on a nightstand near windows to take advantage of the soft, natural light of a clear, sunny day. To manage the occasional harsh sunlight, I used drywall-friendly tape and white tissue paper to diffuse the light, ensuring optimal conditions. The entire shoot was executed using a Canon 6D Mark II. For a comprehensive view of my beauty photography, please flip through the Bijou Catalog.

The Anthology Series

The Anthology Series by Keeler Brass Company showcases an exquisite collection of high-end solid brass pieces, all designed and manufactured in America. With over 30,000 unique made-to-order combinations, this series offers unparalleled variety. My goal was to emphasize the extensive range of options while highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship. Close-up shots capture timeless details, featuring intricate coining, knurling, and reeded patterns, demonstrating the artistry involved in each piece.

Meet the Designers

There has been a significant shift in my creative approach for Keeler Brass Company, focusing more on featuring and involving our team. During the production of Keeler’s inaugural lookbook, I organized a mini-photoshoot with our Product Development team and designers, all within a tight one-hour timeframe.

The photos taken during this session were designed to be enhanced over time. Strategically placed "blank" sketchbooks in the images were later post-edited to include actual sketches from our extensive in-house library. We meticulously curated the revealed designs to ensure only forward-looking concepts were shared publicly.

My goal was to capture authentic stories through these photographs. I encouraged each designer to bring their favorite sketching tools and dress in a way that represented their personal style. I guided and styled each shot, preparing our designers with a clear vision of what we aimed to achieve, ensuring the final images truly reflected their creativity and passion.

Photo with Post-Editing with Sketches Added

Select Other Photographic Works

A Pet Project

In 2015, I launched my dogs' Instagram account, @wittlewulf, as a creative outlet. Using a Fujifilm X100S, I captured hobby photos while honing my manual photography skills. Nearly a decade later, I still enjoy shooting with this camera.

The Instagram account saw modest success, garnering several hundred organic likes and dozens of comments per image within a year. The engagement rates were exceptionally high and authentic, with a loyal and returning fanbase. Check out the Instagram for more photos.