In today’s technologically advanced world, senior photographer Morey Spellman illustrates how a photograph can be worth a thousand words.   In an era when people skim through pictures on Facebook as quickly as they send text messages, Spellman urges those around him to slow down for a moment and appreciate life, beauty and art.

“I really love trying to tell a story or provoke an emotion through my pictures,” said Spellman. “It is really difficult to get someone to be moved from just a single frame, and it is something I strive to accomplish on a daily basis.”

Spellman has always been interested in the artistic aspect of pictures.  When he was younger, he often found delight in spending time with his grandfather, a professional photographer, and looking through his many photos.

Spellman never assumed he would pursue a career in photography, but his fascination with the art soon developed into a passion.

“I like my work to convey that life should be appreciated,” said Spellman. “I believe people should appreciate beauty and utilize every minute that they have in this world. That has always been my general motivation not only in photography but also for life in general.”

Much of his inspiration comes from Jerry Uelsmann, a famous photographer from the 1960s who produced abstract images during a time when Photoshop did not exist. Spellman appreciates Uelsmann’s extraordinary skill and ability to transform regular photos into surreal masterpieces.

After taking his camera with him to capture shots of some local band performances, Spellman’s quiet hobby caught recognition.  Before he knew it, friends and strangers alike were so impressed with Spellman’s photos that they began requesting his services.  He acquiesced and soon found that taking pictures of people was something he really loved to do. Although he enjoys photographing a variety of scenes and objects, Spellman’s main joy is to include actual people in his frames.

“I feel that a picture of a landscape may be beautiful, but putting a person in the frame awakens the scene [and brings it] to life,” said Spellman. “A person’s emotions add vitality and convey a much greater story to the audience at hand.”

Spellman hopes to tell a story through his photographs. While there are many photographers who strive for a natural and pure feel to their photos, he prefers to diverge from the norm while creating edgier and more surreal art.