ceo Archives • Alison Barnes Martin Photography

Telling Your Story

February 15, 2019

There are many ways to tell a story. There are story tellers who have the gift of weaving a tale through a verbal terrain which leaves their listener on the edge of their seat. One can do this through the written word or through a series of visual images, usually moving images. I love a great story and those who know me, know that I’m a BIG binger of series. My fear is not having something keeping me entertained. When I find the perfect series, I just have to know what’s going to happen. I have to know the narrative that is unfolding in front of me. I gobble it down as fast as I can. I’m enveloped, I’m consumed. There hasn’t been a better time to tell a story. In terms of the vehicle being used, the series is my favorite. I watch American, British, Australian and now German series. I have a whole world at my fingertips and I hope there is no end of binge-able stories.

As when I’m shooting someone, I have to have a story in my mind. What are they doing? What time of day is it? What is the message? What should I feel when I look at the end product. Sometimes I drive my talent or my client crazy. Feel vulnerable, I tell them. Feel lost, fierce, happy, intense… I need the feeling and that’s how I operate. I have to feel a connection to my subject, as I hope they feel a connection with me. Even when photographing someone for LinkedIn or for a company website, I want to look at that portrait and see someone trustworthy and kind. Someone I’d want to employ or have a business relationship with. Those are the successful images.

I Just Need to Lose 10 Pounds

December 21, 2017

I really want to get my portrait taken, but I need to lose some weight. Ugh, my roots! I’ll do it in the Summer when I have some color. When my face clears up. I need to go clothes shopping. After I get my hair cut. My stylist is sick.

Oh, the excuses. If you keep putting it off, you’ll have retired! Yes, you need to have clothes that fit you comfortably. Yes, you should look well groomed. But, that’s about it. Let me take care of the rest. I will email you a PDF to help you with last minute things and then you are good to go.

Your social media portrait is important. You don’t want an image that’s ten years old. Time to update. I have seen so many gradated backgrounds lately, it’s driving me crazy. If you’re in the marketing department, you might want to think about slowly phasing out older imagery (that gradated grey background) and look forward to a nice neutral or in the office environment as your background. I can help!

This Isn’t Your Father’s Corporate Portrait

February 15, 2016

It’s funny! When I get a cold call for a corporate portrait or an update for social media, I have in mind what that person looks like from their texts, email or phone calls. I am ALWAYS wrong. Always!

I get hip, smart and good looking people all of the time. I’ve never had a portrait that I’m not happy with. The thing that’s really cool? There is no conventional look anymore. My corporate portrait is not someone who comes in with that “corporate look” anymore expecting the school picture. Sure, we might start out that way, but it’s a process and we make changes from wardrobe to backdrop to lighting until we get a variety of looks. I like the variety I can share with my clients. They like it, too.

There is so much style out there! Everyone has their own unique look. There is something cool about everyone. When I was waiting for Kristen, I knew she had been at Stanford, knew she was super smart, knew that she needed to update her portrait for social media. I actually expected a bit of a wonk to walk into the studio. HA! Was I wrong. She exuded coolness (I mean that in the warmest of ways), assuredness, poise. She was awesome!

Kristen Simmonds

just do it

February 6, 2016

I love when I first meet someone and I am stunned by their beauty. Not just the outward stuff. The glowing, present, warm, open kind of beauty. Marina exuded it. When she walked into the studio, she was open and excited to have her picture made.

When you decide to have your picture made, decide to pay someone money to capture your best you, you are really taking a chance. Each photographer has his or her own style. Particularly, if you don’t have a relationship with a photographer, you are taking a chance. You don’t know what they’ll like. You don’t know what the experience will be like. You don’t know if you’ll like the outcome. That’s scary for some, it might even prevent you from having your picture made, altogether. It might be a chore for others. It maybe something akin to the DMV. It doesn’t have to be any of those things!

Sometimes, you have to take a chance. Just do it. Put one step in front of the other. Go for it.

And, often times, after the fact, you ask yourself: Why did I wait so long? Jeez!

Marina O'Sullivan

Woman of Industry

February 5, 2016

I loved this shoot. I loved it because the woman who hired me knew what she wanted. Joyce was being presented an award at a luncheon for Women Who Mean Business 2015. I am always so gratified when I meet people in the Kansas City Metro area who are as talented as Joyce is.

Kansas City is really having a renaissance. I feel like the city is growing and attracting people worldwide who can bring their individuality and gifts to our thriving city. The strength of women like Joyce make living in Kansas City a joy. The ability to work with people in the arts, business and city communities is amazing and I feel such gratitude being able to do what I do. I have the greatest job. I am so lucky to use my talent to help others tell a story. I am so lucky to meet a cross section of individuals doing some pretty amazing things.

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