Meet Isadora Pennington of Portraits by Isadora

Today we’d like to introduce you to Isadora Pennington.

Isadora, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I think I’ve always been a photographer at heart, but it’s one of those artistic pursuits that require you to own the proper equipment. Until I was in college I mostly relied on disposable cameras, and given that developing photos came with a cost, I was rather limited in how many pictures I actually took. Once I was in school at Georgia State, however, and after acquiring a legitimate DSLR, my passion for photography really flourished. I got my start by taking photographs during birthday parties for my niece and nephew – as the only adult who was not a parent and not one of the kids, I enjoyed capturing the event.

Soon, friends of my sister began asking me if I could come to their special events and my family portraiture business began to thrive. I also was working with a friend on a now-defunct music and entertainment blog called Sorry Darlin’ for which I would take photos at clubs, bars, and other nightlife events. Throughout the years I expanded my photography repertoire and was hired to shoot weddings, headshots, portraits, products, branding, and more. I’ve done event photography for companies and organizations such as PBR, Indie Craft Experience, Root City Market, Bleu Stockings Society, American Spirits, the Wylde Center, the Atlanta Film Festival, and more.

Much of this was done on the side when I was not at my day jobs as a graphic designer and later photojournalist and writer for local newspapers, which is where I’ve spent most of my recent time and efforts. I’ve had my photography (and stories) published extensively in the Atlanta INtown Newspaper, Atlanta Senior Life, and Oz Magazine, and beyond that, I have had work in the Daily Report, Creative Loafing, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Brookhaven Reporters, Jezebel, and 14th South, among others. Most recently I just wrapped up designing and taking portraits for The New School’s first ever yearbook.

For what it’s worth, I’m multidisciplinary (even though above I’m mostly talking about my photography) and beyond taking pictures I also am a graphic designer, illustrator, writer, painter, web designer, art teacher, and videographer. If there is any other angle or particular pursuit you’d like me to elaborate on, please do let me know. It’s kind of hard to boil it all down simply.

Has it been a smooth road?
It’s always hard marketing yourself and keeping up with the photography industry. So much is changing technologically that the field is rather saturated with fellow photographers who use a wide array of photography gear.

It’s not uncommon for guests at an event to ask me if I am nervous about the takeover of photography jobs due to advancement in phone photography but, to be honest, that’s not really much of a concern to me. As innovative as the tech might be, there’s no replacement for working with a professional photographer who knows not only how to achieve great portraits through their camera settings, but also knows how to work with people, what an event might entail, and how to capture the hidden or overlooked moments that make a session successful.

Of course, money is always a challenge as well. I’ve had to institute some strict rules for my contracts as a freelancer, and I’ve had to be very proactive in making sure that I’m being adequately compensated for my time, my gear, and my efforts. I used to be very active on Facebook and would submit myself for any and all posts that seek photographers, but over time that became exhausting. There is always someone out there who’s willing to do it for less, there’s always someone who want’s something free, there will always be competition.

Also, most of the time the client might only need photographs once or twice a year at most, so you have to constantly be on the lookout for new clientele. That’s why I love working with local publications so much – once you have established a relationship with an editor, you can count on that connection to bring you future work.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Portraits by Isadora – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As I said in a previous answer, I’m really all over the place in terms of what work I do. I’ve just recently taken a job as a Marketing Director for Buckhead.com, and I’ll be funneling my writing and photography through their website in the form of articles and social media posts.

Specifically, with regard to Portraits by Isadora, I would say I’m known for candid, journalistic portraits that capture raw emotions and give the viewer the impression of being present in the moment. I love that I have been able to work with so many local businesses and entrepreneurs, and it’s a personal victory every time I can go into a portrait session with someone who is uncomfortable in front of the camera and end up with great photos that they cherish for years.

I especially love working with kids as they are so unbridled in their experiences with the world. It is pure magic to get down on a child’s level and earn their trust despite my massive camera. Some of my favorite moments have been when a formerly shy and reclusive child opens up to me over the course of a session and by the end is comfortable enough to ham it up in front of the camera.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Oh man, I freaking love Atlanta. I could honestly talk for hours about how great this city is. Growing up I moved almost every year from state to state. I’ve spent much of my life as the new kid, and since I relocated to Atlanta from Boston in 2007, I have been able to enjoy and appreciate this amazing community. There are so many amazing artists, that’s got to be my number one favorite thing about this city. Nowhere else that I have lived has so much opportunity, potential, and encouragement for the arts as I have seen here.

I know people who started street festivals, zines, shops, galleries, and more, and it’s so wonderful to see them succeeding and enriching this city with their love and creativity. Beyond that, the food is amazing. From BBQ to Mexican to Korean to Biscuits, we really have something for everyone here. For the past 3 years I wrote and photographed different dishes for a recurring food feature in the town, and that has led me to meet so many amazing chefs and eating some truly spectacular food. Lastly, I love all the nature. It’s so beautiful here – there are wilderness and greenery everywhere you look. The canopy of trees and euphonious melodies of local birds have forever earned this city full of nature a place in my heart.

The only thing I dislike about this city is the transportation. Traffic is the worst. I mean it, it’s terrible. Everyone likes to say “my city has the worst traffic,” but in our case, it’s true. We are massively dependent on our transit infrastructure which is often sorely lacking (*cough cough* the interstate caught on fire and collapsed, sinkholes, the flooding of the downtown connector, Snowpocalypse stranding drivers on 285 *cough cough*) and so many of Atlantans have to commute every day.

It’s terrible for the environment as well as our social engagement with one another. Road rage is a real problem for folks who live here, and people have been shot over it. I also distinctly miss the mass transit options in Boston as it made getting around so so so much easier. I would love to see this city invest in more train lines that could give access beyond our very mediocre situation at present, and of course, adding bike lanes would help ease the strain on the environment and ourselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.isadorapennington.com
• Email: isadorapennington@gmail.com
• Instagram: portraitsbyisadora
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/portraits.by.isadora

Image Credit:
Curtis Bonds Baker, Joe Dreher

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