THE FINAL REVEAL!!

First, I would like to say that these past ten weeks have felt much longer than any other quarter. I have grown so much from the beginning of this course to the final week. The “What’s In a Name?” project has matured and evolved and grown into a project that tells stories about people. I have grown in my technical understanding of my camera as well as how to use light to my advantage and how to come up with ideas when a location doesn’t work out or an idea does not come to fruition. I have learned how to get to know people and ask questions that help them open up and allow me to see more of who they are. I’ve met people who have been through and done much more than I have and I am so glad to see that there are still people who are willing to contribute to something bigger than themselves. It’s been a great ten weeks and I am thankful for every experience.



This is my final artist statement:
One of the first things that happen to us when we are born is being given a name. It stays with us from birth until we die. A name sets a person apart from others and carries meaning behind it. However, if someone has one of the top ten names in the country, how do they set themselves apart? How do they become something other than just another name? What is their story?

This portfolio is an exploration of these people, to see what makes each of them unique, and more than just a name.


And here are the final images!! (In order of popularity)

1. Jessica C.

2. Ashley W.

3. Emily O.

5. Sarah D.

6. Amanda D.

7. Brittany P.

8. Liz P.

9.Taylor T.

10. Megan M.

Males:

1. Mike P.

2. Chris L.

3. Matt H.

4. Josh G.

5. Jacob L.

6. Nick M.

7. Andy W.

8. Daniel D.

9. Tyler K.

10. Joseph W.

Thank you to everyone who supported this project, pictured or not pictured. I truly could not have done it with out each and every one of you!

Last, but certainly not the least. Amanda D!

Amanda was my final name and my final photo shoot. We met up at the fancy Parker's and headed down to River Street for the photographs. The day was really sunny and beautiful.

What makes you different from other Amandas?
My life experiences, I have lived a very intense and dynamic life. My mom died of a drug overdose when I was 16. I went a bit wild after that. Then, when I was 18, I decided to clean up my act. I saw things that happened in my mother’s life that were happening in my life. I said, ‘No, I’m not going down that path.” I decided to go to college where I got straight A’s and the choice to transfer to any college I want to.

Would you change your name if you could?
You know, I think about it sometimes because it’s such a common name. I hated it when I was little but now I love it. Perhaps I would change it to something more old fashioned like Bernadette or Gertrude or Guinevere.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me and for being part of the project, Amanda!

Josh G.

Josh and I met up at our church, Community Bible Church, this past Saturday. It was raining cats and dogs and probably some larger animals also. I got help up out at Tybee Island because of tornado warnings and such so we met up a bit later. I was so glad to be able to spend some time getting to know Josh because he has some interesting views on life :]

What makes you different from other Joshuas?
God’s put a lot in my life that has shaped me into who I am today and who I will become in the future. I also was able to grow up going to church and being taught the Bible. While I don’t think I got it completely when I was younger it has allowed me to grasp God’s grace and love for me and others bit by bit throughout my life.

Currently I’m in college getting a degree in communications and trying to gain more experience as a documentarian. I’m used to being behind the camera so this is giving me a new perspective.

Would you change your name if you could?
I don't know...probably not. I like the meaning of the name (God saves.) If I did change it would probably be Elijah or a mix of two words.

Thanks for helping out with this project, Josh!

Taylor T.

Taylor and I met up at one of her friend's houses which actually turned out to be someone I had class with last quarter, Ashley. We had so much fun with this shoot for several reasons: 1. Because Taylor is a cool girl 2. Because she was in a bathtub with all her clothes on and a precious little kitty was wanting his picture taken too!

What makes you different from other Taylors?
What makes me different from other Taylors is my humor. I thrive off laughter. Most people would consider me sassy. Sometimes I would agree, but for the most part, I’m just being honest. All the other Taylors that I have met so far are typically timid, reserved, or bland. That’s not me. Never has, never will. I would say I am pretty bold, maybe to stretch it a bit and say…spicy…oooh, no; saucy, I am definitely saucy.

Would you change your name if you could?
If I could change my name it would be to “You.” I mean, think of the potential to mess with people, how could I turn up that offer?

Thank you so much Taylor for getting in a bathtub with all of your clothes on and being a part of this project!

Nick M.

I met Nick at his apartment--which was rather close to mine--early one morning last week. It was a lot of fun because I got to hang out with him and his roommate's parrot! It's an African Gray Parrot and they are the smartest parrots in the world. She could talk and whistle and she really liked almonds. Her name was Layla by the way :]

What makes you different from other Nicholas's?
It’s hard to say what makes me different from other Nicks. All the Nick’s I’ve met are nice people. I’m kind of shy. I’m pretty normal, I don’t consider myself different, but I am. Maybe I’m different because I said I’m normal or maybe I’m different because I think I’m normal.

Would you change your name if you could?
Probably not. It’s the name I was given, I wouldn’t know what to change it to. It’s just a name, it doesn’t define who I am really.

 

Thank you Nick and Layla! It was great hanging out with you! 

 

Brittany P.

Brittany and I met up last week out on Tybee Island by the lighthouse. She was awesome and agreed to meet me early in the morning. We began walking down the road, just chatting, and enjoying the morning, when I asked her if she was following me. She was, and I was following her. We laughed about it, turned around, and headed for an actual spot out on the beach.

That morning was so beautiful and I am so glad that I was able to photograph Brittany in one of her favorite places.

Brittany has some of the most beautiful eyes I have photographed!

What makes you different from other Brittanys?
I spend a lot of time downtown and on Tybee Island. Savannah is my hometown and my most favorite place on this earth. My favorite place in Savannah is the beach. Tybee is beautiful, peaceful, and where my entire summers are spent. Everyone who knows me, knows seashells and sea creatures are my thing. I'm definitely a beach bum and I think that's the word that describes me best. I like to have fun, I don’t have worries. I don't try to be different but I feel like it happens naturally.

Would you change your name if you could?
I would never change my name, I feel like this name fits me the best.

Thank you so much for being part of my project, Brittany!