Unraveled Artist Feature | May 20th, 2026
“I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill.”
There’s a lyric in Blueberry Hill that says, “I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill.” And honestly? It feels a little like photography.
There is something wildly thrilling about being a beginner. The excitement of learning. Of soaking up education. Of trial and error. Of having an idea living quietly in your mind and somehow figuring out how to turn it into an image you can actually hold in your hands. The spark of what if I tried this?
And then, somewhere along the way for many photographers, passion becomes profession. Deadlines replace play. Creativity starts competing with client expectations, algorithms, editing queues, and burnout. The thing that once lit you up can start to feel heavy.
At Unraveled, we believe learning photography is only part of the story. Keeping your spark alive matters too. That’s why we care so deeply about creative challenges, honest community, continued growth, inspiration, and making space for photographers to evolve through every season of their creative life. Whether you’re just picking up a camera or rediscovering your voice after years in business, we want this to feel like a creative home that grows with you.
This week’s Weekly Artist Feature feels especially exciting because it holds both: artists who have been part of the Unraveled story for years, and artists who are just beginning to find their thrill.
We can’t wait for you to see what they’re creating. Hopefully it inspires you too.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWEST UNRAVELED ARTIST OF THE YEAR…
Anna Hurley
At first glance, you may see this image and think: beautiful blueberries with water droplets. A detailed still life. A simple macro shot.
But photographers know better.
Because an image like this doesn’t happen by accident.
It takes restraint. Intention. A trained eye.
The way the light falls across the fruit, carving dimension into something dark and easily flattened. The highlights placed carefully enough to reveal texture without losing mood. The decision to lean into shadow rather than fight it. The angle. The depth of field. The patience required to find focus exactly where it matters while letting the rest melt away into softness.
Even the droplets feel deliberate. Not messy. Not random. Controlled enough to feel cinematic.
This is the kind of image that quietly asks a lot of the artist behind it. Technical understanding of light. Knowledge of gear and lenses. Composition. Styling. Editing choices. The confidence to trust darkness and negative space.
What makes this image so compelling is that it transforms something ordinary into something almost painterly. Blueberries become texture. Shape. Mood. Story. And that is the thing about great photography: sometimes the skill is hidden in plain sight. You don’t always notice it immediately.
But good photographers do.
Our Artist of the Year, Anna Hurley, is a wildly skilled photographer whose work consistently reminds us that technical mastery and artistry can exist in the same frame. Anna also teaches multiple courses inside Unraveled Academy, including Mastering Commercial Photography and Working with Brands and Food Photography 101, where she pulls back the curtain on the lighting, styling, technical decisions, and creative process behind making imagery that stops people in their tracks.
This image is proof that great photography is rarely about the subject alone. Sometimes it’s “just blueberries.” And sometimes it’s years of skill, vision, and knowing exactly how to turn something ordinary into art.
Congratulations Anna! You are not only the most kind hearterd human we know, but you are cool and talented to boot!
Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep creating.
THIS is the reason you should become a member of Unraveled.
We’re more than just an online photography school—we’re a creative home. As a member, you’ll unlock exclusive perks like the chance to be featured in our weekly blog and on Instagram, access to a supportive and talented community, and monthly releases of brand-new photography courses. You’ll also get freebies, webinars, creative challenges, and a front-row seat to everything happening inside our Academy. We’re here to help you grow, evolve, and keep your passion alive—every step of the way.