Kelly Starbuck “SALT Studio: Year 1” Photography Exhibition in Encore Magazine
PHOTOGRAPHIC REFLECTIONS: KELLY STARBUCK’S NEW EXHIBIT LOOKS BACK AT SALT STUDIO’S FIRST YEAR
What’s in an image? It’s a quandary every photographer must ask herself. For local photographer Kelly Starbuck, nostalgia and family (of any degree) have emerged as recurring themes in her work. Turn back the hands of time to one year ago, and she unveiled not only her fresh, new photography studio and gallery, SALT (805 North 4th Street), she also debuted her exhibit “Family Shrine.” The fine-art photo series captured her longing for home (Starbuck is a Wilmington native and graduate of New Hanover High School) while she lived and worked in NYC.
Now, 12 months into business, Starbuck’s work has come full circle. She has premiered a new series, dubbed “SALT STUDIO: Year One,” just last Friday—to a turnout of 100-plus people. The collection celebrates her first year in operation and even harkens back to her NYC days.
Starbuck’s love of photography began at an early age. A visually geared mind, combined with her grandfather’s propensity for being a “shutterbug,” led her to make an interesting request on her Christmas list at age 10: a Polaroid camera.
“All of the film was used up by lunch,” Starbuck says with a laugh. “I had various cameras and took snapshots throughout life as a passion, but didn’t really consider photography as a profession until I realized that if I didn’t make a go of it, I would regret it later in life.”
After working as a corporate events producer, Starbuck made the transition to the photo industry in 2003. Her first job was as a studio manager for Fernando Bengoechea. It wasn’t long before she also began working as a teaching assistant at the International Center of Photography.
Having worked in the industry for over 10 years and moving back to Wilmington in 2009, SALT Studio truly has become Starbuck’s home. “I was ready for my photography business to move to another level and to have a studio where I could offer clients the option of studio- or location-based photography services,” Starbuck details. “When I found the space, it easily lent itself to have a small gallery, and I always wanted to curate photography shows. So it was a perfect fit. The first year has been great and I have learned a lot.”
Starbuck beams over her accomplishments: SALT Studio has hosted the likes of husband-and-wife duo Scott Irvine and Kim Meinelt for their “Waxenvine” exhibit (Irvine is even depicted in a New York-minded photo from “SALT STUDIO: Year One.” The “Secrets & Lies” production team bought the prints for set decoration. As well, SALT has hosted international photographer Leeta Harding.
“Probably the biggest name was Christopher Rauschenberg, son of famed painter Robert Rauschenberg,” Starbuck comments. “His ‘Studio’ exhibition was a great draw for artists of all mediums.”
The real standout from SALT has been the sense of community that’s blossomed. More so, Starbuck’s evolution as a photographer, is evident in “SALT STUDIO: Year One.” “Mostly, [it’s] the theme of relationships,” she says. “My artist, musician and actor portraits was the biggie. These were ideas I had for a while and finally pushed myself to work on this body of images. Many of these people are great friends, and the feeling I got after putting that wall of images up was, ‘Wow! I love having these awesome people here with me (many live in NYC) and I don’t want to take this wall down in a month because I will miss them.’”
Starbuck’s work covers an array of editorial, commercial, private client, portrait and fine-art photography (“Bokeh Nights”) that she has amassed since conceptualizing SALT. With each photo she passes, she exudes a distinct sense of familial love. She can recall how she knows each person, their story and even how the depicted individuals know each other.
One of her favorites is a portrait of artist Dan Witz, who has showcased his photo realism internationally and was the cover artist for this month’s Juxtapoz Magazine. It comes as part of a collection that features artists in their workspace.
“I love how he is nestled between his paint brushes and a large-scale painting he created for his ‘NY Hardcore’ exhibition,” Starbuck describes of the Brooklyn-based painter.
The show also boasts a sweaty, hard-rocking image of pop-rock band GROUPLOVE that she took after a concert they performed at the Cat’s Cradle in Chapel Hill. She’s known the band members since her time in New York. “Bokeh Nights” fine-art photography collection also reminisces of her New York days. Comprising blurred neon lights that epitomize the larger-than-life brightness of the city, the photographs were captured locally through light reflected off the Cape Fear River and the USS Battleship when it was lit over Christmas.
Her editorial work consists of photos taken for Wilmington and Focus on the Coast magazines in 2014. “My favorite has to be the fashion cover shoot I did for Focus on the Coast,” Starbuck says.
The story examined three pairs of jeans that could be worn both uptown and downtown. The cover image, which features Kelly Tada, was shot with natural lighting to add accent to the minimal cement wall behind her. “She just looks awesome!” Starbuck adds.
A series of black-and-white photos Starbuck did for Oliver Earney’s CPA firm, as part of an interior-design project, are also on display. “One of my favorites is a group of trees at Fort Fisher. The trees don’t look like they are here at all—more like Africa,” Starbuck says.
DETAILS:
SALT STUDIO: Year One
Photography by Kelly Starbuck
SALT Studio, 805 North 4th St.
On display through February 23
www.saltstudionc.com
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KELLY STARBUCK “SALT Studio: Year 1” Photography Exhibition
The show hangs through Feb 23, 2015.
SALT Studio Photography
805 N 4th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
http://saltstudionc.com
910 367 5720
Photographer, Owner, Curator: Kelly Starbuck
Monday – Friday 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday by appointment
SALT Studio is a working photography studio and business. Please call ahead (910.367.5720) to confirm the gallery is open and that we are not on location for a photo shoot. Appointments welcome!