Meet Scott Parker | Commercial Fashion Branding and Headshot PHotographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
That clients are looking to solve problems, not simply for a product. On the surface, it might seem as if a client is looking for a photo. Yes. That is the product. They do come to me for photography. And, they are really looking for the photos to do something. The photography serves a purpose beyond simply being a nice photo. My clients are looking to use the photos to communicate something about their brand, products, or even their indivuality. People want to be heard. People want their products to be seen and their brand to be known. So, I have learned that, even though I create photos, I am really working in service to my clients as a partner for their goals.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I come from the art world and actually have a master’s degree in painting, with lots of experience in traditional printmaking. Photography has been a way to bring art to more people than if I had only been selling paintings or prints to hang on a wall. I did have minor successes in the art world, and continue to draw, paint, create and show. But, I was looking for more collaborative processes. It took me a very long time to realize that I could use the camera as a tool for collaboration with other creatives. Before that realization, I would find myself in the painting studio for days at a time, barely seeing another human. I needed out. I needed to interact with people more, find ways to create with others, and not just see other artists at a party or show reception.

The path was not easy. I photographed everything I could, but was still operating as a solo artist. It was just me and the camera standing outside the group, outside the event, making the art. It wasn’t until I started shooting runway that I realized I could be shoulder to shoulder (quite literally) with other photographers with the same goal. That was a good start, but still not a true creative collaboration. But, because of runway, I was able to network with designers, beauty teams, and models. That was were co-creation started. It was a process of trial and error before I found a few people (like Justin & Stewie) who worked in a way that involved the entire team in the creative process. Clearly, everyone has their specific job to do, but it was a joy to find teams where every member understood the larger vision and could contribute in ways that supported each other.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love the water. I don’t care if it’s a river, a lake, or the ocean. I love being on the water, in the water, next to the water. If there is a new restaurant that overlooks the water, I want to be there. If there is a way to get on a boat, from the smallest little kayak in the bay to a big party boat or sail boat out in the ocean, I’m interested. It really depends what is going on that week (and the time of year).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that I could thank for my success. My family has been supportive. But, for my growth as a photographer I should thank three people.

Justin Haynes, CEO of JUS10H has had the most impact on my fashion photography. We met at a show in Los Angeles and discovered that we are both from the east coast. Our collaborations after that have been not only fun creative experiences, but have lead to an expansion of my fashion network. Justin attracts genuinely nice people who want to do the work. I cannot thank him enough.

Peter Hurley of the Headshot Crew created a community of headshot photographers that not only helped me fine tune a bunch of technical stuff, but has become a fantastic source of support in my business growth. So many photography groups are full of ego or have a guru/follower dynamic. Peter’s Headshot Crew, on the surface, has one goal, taking the best headshots in the world, but underneath the surface is one of the most supportive and knowledgable photo communities around.

I need to give a shoutout to Stewella Daville. Most of the times I have worked with her have been with Justin Haynes. But, I initially met her through a makeup artist friend, Schanica Pickens, in New York. Stewie is not only super fun to have on set, she is a real connector. I have met so many great professionals in fashion through her.

Website: https://scottparkerphoto.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottparkerphoto/

Image Credits
Model – Alina Muravskaia
Model – Myles Jeh
Model – Ray Anthony
Model – Stewella Daville
Model – Vanessa Carlson