I've wanted to be a photographer since I took my first photography class in high school. I started out like most photographers, taking pictures of flowers, inanimate objects and friends. When I went to college I started out as a photo illustration major but I made the fortuitous decision to change to photojournalism a year later. I say fortuitous because being a visual journalism major taught me to think of everything as a story that needed told, a message that needed to be conveyed; I eventually began to look at all events, portraits and still lifes this way. Every assignment was an opportunity to try and tell a story visually with one photograph or several. Ten years after that first day in class, I know what drew me to photography--it's the storytelling. At its core phptography is about conveying ideas, abstract or otherwise.
After realizing what I really love, what I really excelled at, was storytelling, I eagerly sought new mediums of communication. I learned how to use audio and visuals to create slideshows. I learned how to use design to create a layout that established clear content dominance and worked with the story instead of against it. I learned how to combine video, pictures, text and audio to create a multimedia production. I learned how to design a website to house all these elements in a way that was both user friendly and interactive. I even minored in writing to be able to write my own accompanying stories. I think having a hand in all these different means of communication has made me a much more versatile photographer and an excellent candidate for positions that require collaboration between departments. I am happiest when I am able to apply everything I have learned;I think that is the easiest way to understand why I have five different business handles on this site.
PALAMEDES PHOTOGRAPHY:
During my last year at Kent State I started looking for another challenge-- I found that challenge in food photography. Maybe you know, maybe you can ask someone you know, but food is notorious for not looking as good in a photograph as it does to our eyes-- or should I say stomachs. The challenge was to make a photograph that made your mouth water, a photograph that showed what the food truly looked like, or made it look even better than it did in person. As much as I came to love food photography-- especially since I'm a notorious foodie-- I missed being in the field. I missed documenting stories. That's when it occurred to me that I should merge storytelling with food photography.
I found out this form of photography already existed and it was referred to as documentary food photography. Photographer Clare Barboza had dubbed herself a documentary food photographer because she used a form of food photography that aimed to tell the story behind the food. A form of food photography that followed a meal from farm to fork, from kitchen to table. I have found great satisfaction in this most recent line of work because it has given me a unique opportunity to combine all of my talents.
Clients:
A Loving Spoonful Cookbook- Query Letter Prototype. Aug 10 - Sept 10
SARA GRACA PHOTOGRAPHY:
As stated before, I was a photojournalism major; however, I always knew I didn’t want to be listening to a scanner, rushing off with my camera when I heard of a horrible car accident or tragic fire. When I took a documentary photojournalism class in college, I realized that photojournalism could be used to tell people’s stories, stories that might not otherwise be heard. That was an aspect that really appealed to me and still does appeal to me.
In addition to my documentary work, I have continued to strive to be an equally strong studio photographer. I think that’s why I originally pursued photo illustration. I tend to be on the more creative side and when given the chance to create editorial content, I view it as a challenge to conceive the most interesting concept. I always strive to create images that are compelling in both composition and content whether I'm in the field or in the studio.
Clients:
The Chautauquan Daily- Community Newspaper. Summer Season 09
SAGA MULTIMEDIA:
Video added a new dimension to my storytelling. When you have to take hours of footage and create a production that is only a few minutes long you learn the value of having a clear concept; you learn to be a ruthless editor. It’s easy to get pulled down different paths because you like what someone said, but more often than not it wasn’t relevant to the story and doesn’t need to be there.
The project that my newly acquired editing skills proved most useful, was when collaborating with three design graduates on their proposal for a site plan. My partner and I were able to help these students really focus on their concept and narrow their overwhelming plan into understandable key points. As a result of their multimedia proposal, their idea was met with great reception; they were the only ones in their class to receive an invitation to meet with the head of the project for the site.
Clients:
CUDC Students – Architectural Design Proposal. Jan 09- Mar 09
ONE ELEVEN DESIGN:
At Kent State, I was a visual journalism major with a concentration in photojournalism; as such, I was required to take several design classes before graduating. Since I had started out in photo illustration and learned a few graphic design concepts in my studio skills courses, content placement came naturally to me. Learning to create layouts taught me the important role design plays. A good design is the vehicle in which the stories and visual content are delivered to the reader. Good design increases readability and understanding and drives its audience to take notice.
Clients:
Rootstown Organic Farm- Recipe Photo Layouts. Apr 10 – Current
SEASONAL SENSATIONS:
One Seasonal Sensation is my food blog that I started on Tumblr. It is probably the best demonstration of what I love most in this world-- fresh ingredients, cooking, taking pictures and writing. I try to feature a different in-season ingredient on a weekly basis and use local produce in user-friendly recipes. I try to keep things simple, economical and local.
My blog is currently self-funded, but continues to trickle out content as my budget allows. In the long -term I'd like to find a financial backer and begin to feature local farmers on my blog. I'd like to share recipes from farmers with others, so we can all start to learn how to take advantage of the produce that is available to us locally.
