My Journey
My journey as a visual storyteller began at the age of 12 without realizing it. My father, who worked as a projectionist in a movie theatre, would take me with him EVERY Saturday as a way to keep me off the streets of inner city Baltimore. It was here I began to see the merits of every film, whether the movie was good, and many were, or not. It could be the cinematography, writing or the score, I learned to find the beauty within. Unbeknownst to me, I was getting a free visual education in visual storytelling and this would shape my future.
My career has seen many twists and turns, but regardless of the position I held, I always worked as a creative. I started as a photographer’s assistant to top commercial photographers in Washington, DC. ; my first job as a photographer was for George Mason University where I was the University Photographer. I have worked as: a photo-editor for AOL covering the 2002 Winter Olympics; a software developer and graphic designer for the Department of Defense; and a college professor for Sanford Brown, University of Maryland University College (now Global University) and the University of the District of Columbia teaching photography and graphic design.
A native of Baltimore, MD, I come from a creative family; my father was the first chair clarinetist in the United States Army Band during World War II; my brother was a professional musician who mastered the woodwind family of instruments while playing in Broadway Musicals and was also the Dean of Music at Queens College in New York City. So I guess you can say I came by it naturally. I received my bachelor’s degree in Communications/Photography from Howard University, the storied HBCU, and my Master’s degree in Visual Information Technology from George Mason University.
I worked as a photojournalist for the Department of Defense, and the United States Army. I worked as a corporate photographer for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the National Cooperative Bank.
And then I did a thing … I started my own photography business where I did editorial fashion work for the curvy & full figured community. I wanted to show the beauty in every shape and to help eliminate body shaming.
Today – I am the owner and photographer at Neil Adams Photography, a health and wellness lifestyle photography company.
With my photojournalistic and commercial photography background, I realized that I am best suited as a visual storyteller and by combining the two genres I am able to tell the brand story
But what does this actually mean? Photojournalism is the art of moving fast and thinking on your feet to tell the story; whereas commercial photography can be a bit more methodical and equipment intensive. I have learned to combine the two approaches, by using minimal lighting equipment and a pre-visualize/d plan that allows for adjustments on set. This happens because I go into each photo session with a client-approved storyboard to ensure that the client and I are visually on the same page, and agree on a definition of success.
During the pandemic, I discovered (not invented), pioneered and perfected remote photography. I am one of a handful of photographers in the world successfully using this method to create imagery. I am able to connect with my subject anywhere in the world using an app, my computer and the client’s cell phone to direct a photo-shoot. This method of photography has allowed me to work with individuals and organizations around the world from Italy, Ireland, England, India, Turkey and throughout the United States. At the height of the pandemic, I worked with the Harvard University School of Education to do portraits of their graduate students for their revised website. I also worked with Praetorian, a cyber security firm in San Antonio, Texas to do environmental portraits of their senior management team, and employees that were in various states in the U.S.
After working in so many different genres of photography, I have learned what I like, what I don’t like, but more importantly, what I am good at and what brings me the most joy.
Whatever the brand, story or client my process has remained the same; before I arrive on set I have prepared myself for success. Does that mean this methodology works and ensures perfection? Absolutely not! Something inevitably goes wrong, but because of my training and my experience I am able to adapt and overcome and make sure that your session is easy and effortless.
I create an experience for the client where his/her voice is heard and their worry goes away by providing previews during the session or a fast turn around of the project.
When I am hired as your photographer, I bring an encyclopedia of visual knowledge and story development to each brand and my promise to you is to make your session easy and effortless; you just need to show up relaxed and ready for an amazing day!