Greenville photographer Kaydee Hughes will exhibit her latest works at West Main Artists Co-op in Spartanburg, Sept. 20 through Oct. 13, in a collection named “Unfettered.”
The public can view this exhibition at no charge Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the nonprofit gallery. A public reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 20, 5-9 p.m., during the city’s monthly ArtWalk.
As a portrait and wedding photographer, Hughes’s mission is “to capture the rawest emotion possible. With my images, I set the mood for these moments with rich contrast and bold highlights.” As the exhibit will show, much of her work is considered creative, dark, and moody. The works were inspired by “My personal battles and triumphs,” the 25 year old said. It is her hope that this exhibit will send a message of “release from restraint or inhibition.”
“Each photograph is a piece of my heart,” she said. “My photographs are how I express myself. They are a direct reflection of me.” Hughes spent about four months putting this exhibit together, and the prints will be for sale, starting at $200 each.
A native of Southern California, Hughes relocated to South Carolina in 2012 and started her career in photography. He is married to tattoo artist Justin Walker. The self-taught photographer said, “I love my family. I have given myself the title ‘Momtographer’ because I love being a mom with a camera. It has given me a hunger to capture every fleeting moment that I can. I use my photography as self-discovery.”
In her artist’s statement, Hughes says: “Photography is a huge part of my life. I grew up seeing the world around me through my viewfinder. Throughout my photography career, I have photographed the most-cherished moments in my clients’ lives — weddings, births, as well as important milestones. When I am not shooting, I am always on the hunt for amazing architecture lines and neat shadows. With my photography, I want to be a light in the dark place, a safe place in my community.” When Hughes isn’t photographing families, she spends her time collaborating with creative people in her community.
“I am so honored and thrilled for this exhibit, to display my photographs at West Main Artists Co-op,” she said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded creatives in my community. I am beyond grateful for my supportive family of creatives, Justin Walker Tattoo and Dave Sawyer (her grandfather).”
West Main Artists Co-op is located at 578 West Main St. in Spartanburg. It is a 20,000-square-foot converted church that houses about 30 working and/or exhibiting studios, three galleries, a gift shop, a printery, and a ceramics studio. The membership-based organization hosts three new exhibits each month, in addition to public and professional workshops. It is one of the leading arts agencies in Spartanburg and carries the largest collection of locally made artwork in the region.
To see samples of Hughes’s work, visit her website at KaydeeHughesPhotography.com. For more information about West Main Artists Co-op, visit WestMainArtists.org.