The Gunfighters - Photo Research and Licensing

One of the things I love about freelance photo editing is the variety of projects that come my way.

This year I've worked on live TV shows, website builds, tourism content, big events, and most recently, photo research for a book about Old West gunfighters by Bryan Burrough (Random House).

The research took me through archives I hadn't worked with before - the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oklahoma Historical Society, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and others.

It's always interesting to dig through historical photographs and piece together the visual story. Here are a few of my favorite images from the project.

Visit Detroit - Custom Content Hub

Behind the Scenes: Bringing Detroit to Life Through Local Eyes

When AFAR asked me to photo edit their "Travel to Be Moved" custom content program for Visit Detroit, I was excited to dive in. Instead of a typical destination guide, we were showcasing Detroit through the eyes of three locals who actually live and work there.

The Vision

The project featured three Detroit personalities:

  • Tiff Massey, an artist with a solo exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts

  • Javier Bardauil, a James Beard Award-nominated chef who moved from Buenos Aires to open his restaurants in Detroit

  • Ty Farris, a rapper and record label owner who's been part of Detroit's music scene for nearly 30 years

We created six articles total: three profiles and three itinerary pieces that would help travelers experience Detroit like locals do.

The Photography Challenge

As photo editor, I coordinated shoots with photographer Sylvia Jarrus across Detroit, covering locations like Tiff's studio and the Detroit Institute of Arts, Javier's restaurants Barda and Puma, and music venues like El Club and Mom's Spaghetti where Ty's story comes to life.

The Technical Side

Working within AFAR's and Visit Detroit’s brand guidelines meant every image needed to be bright and experiential, showing people actually engaging with Detroit's culture rather than empty tourist shots. Hero images had to work in panoramic crops for social media, while supporting photos needed to show diverse locations: restaurants, cultural sites, hotels, and architecture.

I created detailed shot recommendations for Sylvia to make sure we captured authentic moments that would inspire people to visit, from the flaming saganaki at Pegasus Taverna to the art installations at The Shepherd gallery.

The Result

We delivered 58 edited photos covering 24 different Detroit locations that Visit Detroit licensed for their channels, plus a dedicated hub on AFAR.com. The final selection included everything from intimate restaurant shots at places like Cannelle and Lady of the House to cultural destinations like the Belle Isle Conservatory and vibrant venues like Spot Lite.

Check it out at: https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-afar-insiders-guide-to-detroit

Jana Birchum

Just wrapped up a project with documentary photographer Jana Birchum. She's spent decades documenting Austin's evolution - from AIDS activism in the early days to street protests, LGBTQ+ community life, Texas politics, the creative heart of the "Live Music Capital of the World", and everything in between.

The challenge was taking decades of work and organizing it into something that really showcases what she's accomplished. I spent time going through her extensive collection, curating galleries that highlight different aspects of her documentary work, then built her a brand new website on Squarespace.

Please take a look at janabirchum.com

Explore Charleston - Tourism Board Art Direction and Shoot Production

Photos by Peter Frank Edwards for Explore Charleston’s website, advertising and social media.

Looking for visual content production for tourism and destination marketing? I help tourism boards, DMOs, and travel brands create compelling visual stories through:

  • Tourism board image research & licensing

  • Visual strategy for destinations

  • Multi-platform content production

  • Large-scale photo research

Alex Boerner Portfolio

There’s something timeless about a printed portfolio. 💼✨

I recently had the pleasure of creating a print portfolio for North Carolina-based lifestyle photographer Alex Boerner, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Alex worked with my favorite custom bookmaker, Scott Mullenberg, to craft this beautifully tailored piece.

While social media and websites make sharing work quick and easy, print offers a different experience. There’s something special about flipping through pages, feeling the weight of the paper, and seeing the work come to life in a tangible way. Plus, it's a fantastic way to connect with clients face to face.

Buff Strickland Zine - How We Live Volume II

One of my favorite things is working with photographers over the course of many years. Buff and I first did a print promo together in 2015. This fall, we worked on a Volume II of her How We Live zine. The zine is designed by https://beckyplante.com/ and beautifully printed by Paper Chase Press.

buff strickland magazine style promo featuring lifestyle, food and travel photography
buff strickland magazine style promo featuring lifestyle, food and travel photography
buff strickland magazine style promo featuring lifestyle, food and travel photography
buff strickland magazine style promo featuring lifestyle, food and travel photography
buff strickland magazine style promo featuring lifestyle, food and travel photography

Vivian Johnson

Oakland, California-based interiors photographer Vivian Johnson works with some of the west coast’s top designers and architects. Every time we collaborate on a project, I get serious inspiration from the gorgeous spaces and thoughtful details.

Tourism Board Photo Research & Visual Content Production | Visit California Case Study

Tourism Board Visual Content Production: Visit California

When AFAR partnered with Visit California to create their luxury travel guide, they needed expert visual content production and photo research across 500+ destinations. Here's how we delivered.

Challenge

  • Source premium imagery showcasing unexpected luxury experiences

  • Cover 500+ points of interest statewide

  • Secure rights and releases for multi-platform usage

  • Meet tight production timeline for print and digital deliverables

Strategy: a comprehensive visual research approach

  • Curated network of California photographers, featuring Amanda Friedman's iconic poppy field cover

  • Direct partnerships with regional tourism boards including Visit Palm Springs, Visit Anaheim

  • Luxury hotel and restaurant image libraries

  • Destination marketing organizations' content hubs

Process

  • Created detailed shot list targeting unique luxury moments

  • Established streamlined licensing workflow across multiple stakeholders

  • Managed complex rights acquisition for print/digital usage

Results

  • Delivered premium wire-bound sourcebook

  • Created immersive digital experience

  • Exceeded client visual quality expectations

  • Established efficient process for large-scale tourism projects

The bonus:

Appreciating the beauty of the images alongside the playful and fun illustrations of the amazing Libby VanderPloeg!

Looking for visual content production for tourism and destination marketing? I help tourism boards, DMOs, and travel brands create compelling visual stories through:

  • Tourism board image research & licensing

  • Visual strategy for destinations

  • Multi-platform content production

  • Large-scale photo research

Gary Sinise Foundation's Snowball Express

The 2023 Snowball Express was 8 days of photography, laughs, hugs, and some tears. Put on by the Gary Sinise Foundation, Snowball Express brings thousands of military and first responder families together at Disney World to honor their fallen heroes.

The media team not only captures all of the events that take place, but they also work closely with families to document the stories of their lost loved ones. It’s one of the most rewarding photo editing jobs I could ask for. Thanks to Julia Robinson for bringing me on to the team.

Photos by:

Julia Robinson
Sol Neelman
Octavio Jones
Matthew Busch
Justin L. Stewart

Melanie Grizzel

Austin-based Melanie Grizzel has an authentic and warm approach to portraiture and storytelling. Her images exude a connection with the people she is photographing.

For her website update, we focused on showcasing the best of her portraits, food and tourism photography. The updated site is well-suited to editorial, corporate, non-profit, and travel industry clients.

Kate Benson

Kate Benson is a New Hampshire-based product, lifestyle, and fashion photographer with an elegant style that feels fresh and modern while giving a nod to timeless beauty. We updated her website to showcase the variety of client work she’s produced and tell the story of the kind of work she is passionate about.

Texas Tribune Festival

I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Texas Tribune Festival since 2016. Of course, Covid really put a damper on large scale events like TribFest, so I appreciate the event even more now that it’s back in full force.

For the 2022 festival, I focused on producing all of the sponsorship and marketing-related photography coverage, managing the budget, scheduling and photo assignments for the team of photographers and photo editors.

See more of the photos, including those produced by the editorial team.


FHI 360 and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

DC-based photographer Rebecca Drobis was awarded a contract by FHI 360 to create a custom image library for the CDC to use for its diabetes prevention campaigns. CDC realized that traditional stock photography just wasn’t connecting with their users, and wanted to focus on real people talent and situations that would resonate.

I served as the project’s creative director. My priority was ensuring that the CDC’s missions and goals were furthered through Rebecca’s photography.

I reviewed CDC focus group findings, brand guidelines, and other marketing documentation in order to arrive at a list of key themes the photos should touch on.

We approached the project in phases over the course of 14 months, collaborating on what locations, talent, and situations would help the CDC achieve its goals. I created mood boards to help hone the creative direction, and once that was finalized, I created shot lists with location, art and talent direction.

Rebecca and her rock star producer Nancy Swenton took the months of prep and turned into shoot day magic, creating relatable, authentic imagery.

Texas Book Festival, 2022

I got to work with the rock star photo crew for the Texas Book Festival again. Everyone was so happy to be IN PERSON and enjoying the beautiful, fall weather. Thanks to Bob and Janis Daemmrich for having me be their photo editor and to the amazing photographers: Laura Skelding, Stephen Spillman, and Bob Daemmrich.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the weekend.

Attendees pose on Congress Ave / Laura Skelding
Xelena González / Stephen Spillman
Volunteers / Stephen Spillman
Sandra Cisneros / Bob Daemmrich
Jacques Pépin / Laura Skelding

Texas Writer Award boots / Bob Daemmrich
Beautiful weather and good eats / Bob Daemmrich
Chef Chris Scott / Laura Skelding
Rabia Chaudry poses with a fan / Laura Skelding
Capitol rotunda / Bob Daemmrich
Omar Epps / Laura Skelding
Capitol / Stephen Spillman