Molly Peacock / May 15, 2019 by Olivia Siegel

Molly Peacock is a sculptor with a studio in Aspen’s Red Brick Center for the Arts. Molly and I met in 2018 to strategize around creating content of her creative world for an upcoming website, and it’s been wonderful to get to know her and her work. Molly starts with charcoal on paper to explore ideas and then hand forms clay into whimsical and amorphous structures. Molly hired me to do several different kinds of photography over the past year, and we’ve captured a variety of content so she is ready to build out her website (forthcoming). Scroll down to see: formal headshots, informal headshots, “meet the maker” content that documents her process, art documentation for her portfolio, and shots from her recent solo show at The Art Base in Basalt.

For formal headshots, I set up backdrops of varying colors, clients bring in several outfits, and we work together for approximately forty-five minutes. The goal is to get both serious and playful portraits in a few outfits so that clients have uniq… — For formal headshots, I set up backdrops of varying colors, clients bring in several outfits, and we work together for approximately forty-five minutes. The goal is to get both serious and playful portraits in a few outfits so that clients have unique headshots to use for a spectrum of circumstances. I turn over preview images and the client chooses their final selections, with the option for light retouching.

Included in every “meet the maker” documentary session are informal headshots of the client in their workspace. These laid back portraits are often the best way to show them in their natural environment surrounded by the tools and context of their w… — Included in every “meet the maker” documentary session are informal headshots of the client in their workspace. These laid back portraits are often the best way to show them in their natural environment surrounded by the tools and context of their work.

For artists, craftspeople, and business owners, it’s important to demonstrate your unique skillset and tell the story behind your work or product. These “meet the maker” sessions are my favorite to do, and generate great content for websites, editor… — For artists, craftspeople, and business owners, it’s important to demonstrate your unique skillset and tell the story behind your work or product. These “meet the maker” sessions are my favorite to do, and generate great content for websites, editorial, and social media.

Product and art documentation is an important step for an online portfolio, applying to shows, and for online stores. I collaborate with clients to decide what backgrounds and context will work best for showcasing their pieces. In this case, Molly w… — Product and art documentation is an important step for an online portfolio, applying to shows, and for online stores. I collaborate with clients to decide what backgrounds and context will work best for showcasing their pieces. In this case, Molly wanted a simple white seamless background where her work would glow and have soft highlights and shadows.

This image is of Molly Peacock’s sculptures installed at The Art Base for a solo show. Documenting important events for magazine or news stories, or even an online blog, can help extend the benefit of an exhibit, party, or special event.

H.K. Studios / October 29, 2018 by Olivia Siegel

Heather Kegel is a Boulder-based ceramicist who makes functional pottery, often decorated with colorful desert scenes. Heather and I connected over Instagram and I visited her studio and shot a few images of her process. After throwing the vessel and letting it harden slightly, Heather draws her scene into the clay, and then follows up with carving to make the scene three-dimensional. Eventually, she glazes the pieces, yielding bright, stylized scenes of cacti and mesas.

mod crmx / July 12, 2018 by Olivia Siegel

Liz Heller is the Aspen artist behind mod crmx, a line of functional porcelain vessels. Liz has an MFA in Sculpture from The University of Wisconsin at Madison and has been Aspen-based since 2015. When Liz isn’t working in her Red Brick Center for the Arts studio, or teaching at the Aspen campus of Colorado Mountain College, you’ll find her consumed by her other passion, training with The Aspen Triathalon Club.

Liz and I connected over Instagram just as she was embarking on a relaunching of her website. We collaborated over several months, doing a “meet the maker” photo session in the ceramics studio at CMC Aspen, documenting her work for her website/wholesale market/and Etsy, and creating lifestyle content showing her pieces in use.

Portrait, Liz Heller

Liz Heller of mod crmx outside the ceramics studio at the Aspen Campus of Colorado Mountain College.

Making a form

Liz must first assemble a form to create a mould.

Adding to the form

The form gets filled with clay to create the next layer.

Pouring the form

Liz pours material onto the form to add the next layer.

Revealing the mould

Once the form has dried, it is taken apart to reveal the mould inside.

Mixing porcelain

Liz does a style of ceramics called “slipcasting” where porcelain slip is poured into a mould to create a vessel.

Pouring the slip

Liz pours the porcelain slip into a mould made for a vase-shaped vessel.

Sealing the lip

As the mould absorbs moisture Liz will top-off the slip to keep the level up. She uses her finger to seal the slip against the top of mould to prevent separation.

Pouring out the excess slip

After a specific amount of time required to get the correct thickness of vessel, Liz pours out the excess slip.

Cleaning the mould

Liz cleans the top of the mould to get a cleaner vessel lip on the cast inside.

A mould with a cast

A top-down view of the slip cast vessel inside the mould. Once the cast drys sufficiently, it will be sturdy enough to disassemble the mould.

Disassembling the mould

The mould is made of puzzle pieces that can be easily removed.

Glazing a cup

In this image, Liz is glazing a small cup. The color of the wet glaze isn’t always the same color that will appear after it is fired.

Opening the kiln

Liz makes primarily modern, faceted vessels with a satin exterior and shiny interior.

Tall vase

I particularly enjoyed photographing her pieces, both for their unique texture, and for the way their facets create highlights and shadows on the object.

Tablescape light

Showing how pieces can be used, and creating lifestyle images is an important part of portraying any brand.

Tablescape light 2

Showing how various pieces can be used, and combining them with props can support the aesthetic of the brand.

Stylist

A big thank you to Michaela Carpenter of Aspen’s Local Coffee for stepping in as stylist for these tablescapes.

Snack tray

This snack tray was a collaboration with Carbondale artist, Kenichi Woodworking.

Tablescape dark

Here, we’ve showcased the black-glazed pieces in a moodier context.

Lifestyle

Showing the objects in use in a real kitchen is particularly useful for social media content and variety.

Portrait 2, Liz Heller

Krystle Collective / October 31, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

I love perusing Instagram to discover artists, inspiration, and new friends. I connected with an account in Australia called Soul and Rhapsody, a handmade business run by a beautiful and lively woman named Joan. Joan creates one of a kind accessories and her feed is so colorful and full of life. I approached her about using some of her pieces in a photoshoot, and my goal was to capture the pieces with a focus on body and form, instead of color and context. I found local dancer Krystle Aguilera to model for me, and I must say, I love the work we made! Check it out.

Christian & Everest / September 29, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

One of my favorite things about being a photographer is meeting and collaborating with other photographers! Sometimes this means a creative shoot where we push our skills, and sometimes it's as simple as trading services. Christian is a talented photographer whose business is called Foxhouse Studio. I photographed her and her son playing together in the Swannanoa River outside of Asheville, North Carolina.

Nashville / September 5, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

One of the perks of living in Asheville, North Carolina, is being able to hop over to Nashville, Tennessee in just a few hours. My husband and I have been a handful of times in the last two years, and I wanted to compile a list of my favorite Nash-vegas stuff.

Fox House Nashville - This charming treehouse is an AirBnB in East Nashville. It's a rustic place with a bit of a walk to the bathroom, but it's also a charming respite from the hubbub of downtown.
Craft South - This is a crafter's paradise! Amazing modern fabrics, a small selection of yarn for knitting or weaving, and lots o' notions.
Gift Horse - A cute little gift shop with colorful note cards, pins, household decor, and more. A browser's dream.
Mas Tacos - What can I say? I am a total sucker for deep fried avocado on my tacos.
Barista Parlor - Great food and coffee. I would describe the ambiance as... "Millenial." You'll love it or hate it, either way it's an experience.
Rolf & Daughters - The food is amazing. Make a reservation. Eat. All. The. Things.
Pinewood Social - A great place to eat food, get a drink, relax in a big couch, work remotely, or bowl in a vintage restored alley.
Roberts - Great, live, honky tonk. Need I say more? Favorite spot on the "strip."
FLWR - Impeccable aesthetic flower shop. Houseplants, flower arrangements, all in a restored home in East Nashville.
Carter Vintage Guitars - My husband loves it. That's all.

Alchemy Pottery / June 5, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

I was lucky enough to work while on the road with my husband who is a traveling musician. We spent some time in Putney, Vermont, near Bennington, where he went to college. I got to spend the morning with a beautiful potter, on her property, in her gorgeous (and handbuilt) studio. It was such a grounding experience, after a week on the road, to be still with her in her bright and creative space. Thanks, Fiona Morehouse!

Don't Leave Me Blue / May 20, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

My husband, Jackson Emmer, recently wrote this charming song "Don't Leave Me Blue." We recorded this video in our living room one morning with new pals Amy Alvey and Mark Kilianski from the band Hoot and Holler. Give it a listen if you like original music, charming harmonies, and sick guitar solos.

The Bright Angle / May 18, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

When The Bright Angle reached out to me I gave a little, "Yip!" I'd been following their pottery on Instagram for a while, since I had stumbled upon it from their connection to the Democratic Cup. They hired me to do a lifestyle photo shoot of their first pottery collection, being released this summer. The Bright Angle is a design collective of Asheville artists that work out of a bright and generous space at the Asheville Area Art Council's Refinery building. Each member of the team helped design one or more of the pieces in the collection. What's unique about their process is that they have truly embraced the nexus of new technology and the handmade. They tested and perfected their shapes by using a 3-d printer to get a real life sense of the proportions and shapes. Once perfected, they made molds, and slip cast the pieces out of porcelain. Their Kickstarter campaign is live now, and more than halfway funded! Check it out for great deals on their mugs, vases, planters, espresso sets, pourovers, bottles, ring dishes, memento boxes, and more. And, for beautiful images and even a few giveaways, follow them on Instagram. For this shoot I was lucky enough to collaborate with Morgan Fender of Bomisch, a beautifully curated collection of homewares.

Swannanoa Tee / May 10, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

I love knitting and yarn and fiber in general, so whenever a fiber artist reaches out to me I totally geek out. Queue Suzanne Wadsworth, a burgeoning knitting pattern designer here in Asheville, North Carolina. Suzanne has a romantic aesthetic so we shot her new pattern next to the lovely Swannanoa River near Warren Wilson college. The river and the rolling green landscape made the perfect backdrop for her summer weight linen tee. Knitters, check out the pattern on Ravelry!

Stonecutter Collection / April 28, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

Christina and I met over Instagram of all places! We connected over knitting and a shared love for beautiful, simple things. I'm proud to call her my friend and also my client, and every photoshoot we do together is so fun. I always know she'll have styled all her garments perfectly, and she's a natural in front of the camera. She recently published a 4-piece spring collection of knitting patterns called The Stonecutter Collection. The collection features colorwork socks, a lacework shawl, a gorgeous linen tunic, and a cotton cardigan. We photographed all the pieces one evening at Graveyard Fields and I am so thrilled to share some of my favorite images with you.

Waterrock Vest / March 27, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

Photographing for Appalachian Knits, a regional knitwear design collective, is always so much fun. In January we shot a collection designed by Jennifer Sadler and Christina Danaee using regionally dyed yarn from Fern Fiber, another Asheville business. Since the patterns were intended for a spring release, but we had to shoot in January, we partnered with local flower shop, Flora in West Asheville. This Haywood Road shop is a charming store featuring vibrant green plants, adorable planters, fresh cut flowers, and sweet gifts. We shot Jennifer's Waterrock Vest on local model, Abby Jay, as a layer and as a stand alone top. Check it out, and for pattern details, visit Ravelry.

Spoon Carving / March 3, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

One of my favorite shops in West Asheville is an "urban homesteading supply store" called Villagers. Last year I took a spoon carving workshop there and it was AWESOME. It was so satisfying to take a blade to damp, aromatic wood. I also had the pleasure of meeting Nate Chambers, one of the instructors. Nate is a philosopher and woodcarver operating under the handle, Chambers Woodcraft. We documented a little spoon carving at his shop. Check it out!

Richland Mitts / March 1, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

Jennifer Sadler of JayKay Knits is co-founder of Appalachian Knits. We collaborated on a shoot featuring one of her original knitwear designs that refers to historical Cherokee Indian basket patterning from the Appalachian mountain region. The Richland Mitts were designed around regionally grown wool from Mars Hill, North Carolina's Bovidae Farm.

Decal Pottery / February 27, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

One of my clients is Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts resident Julia Claire. Julia is a talented young potter who throws beautiful forms and then uses geometric decals to create colorful and eye catching pieces. We shot the following images in natural light in her home one afternoon.

Braddock Beanie / February 24, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

This is NOT your grandma's knitting! I've been working regularly with Appalachian Knits and knitwear designer Christina Danaee. I adore Christina's aesthetic and when we get together to shoot it feels like a party! Christina designed this gorgeous Braddock beanie pattern using Magpie Fibers, a squishy and vibrant regional yarn. We shot on location at Asheville Glamping in their beautiful dome and had a blast. Our lovely model is the talented Abby Jay. Hurray for girl bosses, fiber, knitting, glamping, and photography!

Devereux Violins / February 8, 2017 by Olivia Siegel

A couple of days ago I photographed Jack Devereux in his Asheville shop, handcrafting made to order violins. Jack started playing violin at age three, and graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a BA in violin performance. He apprenticed for three years with violin builder Jonathan Cooper and founded his own shop in 2015. In a busy year, when his touring schedule allows, Jack can make 10-12 violins, meticulously sawing, carving, scraping, and measuring until the wood is just the right shape and thickness to resonate and create beautiful music. I feel so lucky to live in a community rich with handmade culture, and I am so inspired by all the creative entrepreneurs in this city, working hard at their craft and carrying on traditional skills.

Roan Sweater / December 21, 2016 by Olivia Siegel

This shoot brought together some of my favorite things: girl bosses, knitting, farms, and photography. I met knitwear designer, Christina Danaee, on Instagram of all places! We connected over our shared love for knitting and all things handmade and began scheming ways we could work together. Christina, along with another Asheville knitwear designer, Jennifer Sadler, founded Appalachian Knits to celebrate the region's rich knitting history with original patterns featuring regional fiber farms. This shoot captured Christina's Roan sweater made from Bovidae Farm wool, at Bovidae Farm in Mars Hill, North Carolina. It's such a joy working with other creative entrepreneurs!

Julia Claire's Clay / December 21, 2016 by Olivia Siegel

One of my favorite things about living in Asheville, North Carolina, is the vibrant craft community. I've been loving the East West Pop Up Shop because it happens right in my neighborhood of West Asheville, and features a curated collection of some of the region's best artisan hand mades. I met Julia of Julia Claire's Clay at one of these shows and was drawn to her bright geometric pottery and jewelry. We got to chatting, had a nice time, and eventually decided to work together! It's been really fun capturing her work in action and providing lifestyle and detail shots to support her brand, her social media presence, and her Etsy store.

Villagers / November 18, 2016 by Olivia Siegel

I met Natalie, the owner of West Asheville's Villagers, and was immediately struck by her mellow vibe and natural aesthetic. Villagers is an "urban homestead supply store" chock full of canning supplies, gardening tools, fermenting crocks, kitchen objects, and locally made crafts. I did an Instagram takeover of her feed and focused on local makers whose work is featured in her store.