Unraveled Expert Artist Interview, Morgan Riley, UEA

We are so happy to have Morgan Riley on the blog as one of our latest Unraveled Expert Artists! Her work is creative, festive and she takes children portraiture to the next level!

Morgan Riley lives in Pinehurst, North Carolina but was born in raised in Connecticut. She currently photographs her two young kids (2.5 and 4.5 years old). She loves photographing special and important moments in their lives to capture these memories in time and keep forever. She discovered her love for photography during the pandemic when most moms were looking for an outlet. Prior to children she helped design the exterior and interior of the homes her husband builds as a home builder and 2 of their own personal homes. They are about to get started on their 3rd and final personal home on a piece of land that they hope will be in their family for generations. Morgan has also recently started gardening and hopes to grow a lot of her own fruits and vegetable's each year. Her winter garden was successful and she hopes spring will be just as fruitful. In the past few years Morgan discovered she has Celiac Disease so she cannot eat gluten. She has also gone completely Paleo to help heal her body and learned a lot about the foods that can harm our bodies. Being an avid Kraft Mac & Cheese lover... this was the last thing Morgan thought she would ever be doing, but she knows now that she is setting herself and her children up for a healthier and more knowledgeable future.

For more inspiration from Morgan, check her out on Instagram.

Here is Morgan, Unraveled…

What inspires your art? 

I find that the holidays inspired my art a lot. I have always loved the holidays and birthdays and go above and beyond to make the moments special, so I think photographing them is that much more important to me.

What do you shoot with? Camera body and favorite lens? 

I shoot with a Sony Alpha 1. My favorite camera lens are the Sigma 85mm for outdoors and the Sigma 35 mm for indoors.

What other ways do you express your creativity?

I love interior decorating and enjoy the creative process that brings. I love to bake and I also knit, but since children have not really had time for it anymore. My camera takes most of my creativity these days! I was a Fashion Merchandising major in college so naturally I think about fashion in my everyday life and very much enjoy dressing my children. I also enjoy growing my own food. I am not sure if that counts as being creative but I feel like it does for me haha.

How do you de-stress at the end of the day? 

Editing and TV... got to have some TV time to destress and send me to a different world for a bit after a day with toddlers.

What kind of music do you listen to while editing? 

Country

What is your favorite book? 

I haver to admit I am more of a TV and Movie person than book person. I honestly can't remember the last book I read, besides Captain Underpants last night 🤣.

Name one movie that inspires you. 

Encanto has been on repeat in our house since it came out. I actually love it and think it has the best meaning behind it. I love how its all about family. So right now that movie is inspiring me to not put too much pressure on my kids and treat them as equally as I possibly can.

How do you handle self-doubt or creative slumps? 

Sometimes I just need a break. I won't pick up my camera much at that time. Usually I will just edit from photo's I have yet to get to. The holidays help me get creative again usually or change in the seasons! Sometimes other artists as well!

What has been the most difficult part of your creative journey?

When I feel like I am not growing. Sometimes I feel like I have gotten as good as I can get or can't figure out how to achieve a certain look, but usually after a small break or some more learning, I come back better than ever.

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Authentic Italian Margarita Pizza... not a topping I guess but I love the flavor of it all on its own.

What is your most favorite kind of light and why?

Loop Light. I think its the most flattering but also gives the most depth to an image. I love that it makes the catchlight in my subjects eyes pop.

Who is one of your favorite photographers? 

Meg Loeks

What is your favorite course or lesson at Unraveled? 

Underwater Portraiture with Bree Friesen