Narrative International Photography Awards 2024 — A chat with Judge Kyle Wilson

Kyle Wilson is based in Chicago, IL, and has dedicated a decade to working as a full-time professional photographer. We sat down with Kyle to explore his photography background, uncover the roots of his passion for the craft, and get the inside scoop on what he’ll be looking for while judging the 2024 Narrative International Photography Awards

How long have you been pursuing photography professionally, and what was the pivotal moment that led you to this career?

I'd been a full-time wedding photographer for 10 years up until mid-2023, at which time I began my exit from the industry as my sole source of income. The moment for me was my first trip abroad to Dubai to photograph an event for Instagram. It was their 5th birthday as well as the launch of Instagram for business in the Middle East. I was shown around one of the most expensive hotels in the world, met numerous founders of Instagram, and all around had a surreal experience that inspired me and had me questioning everything I was doing and why I hadn't committed to this career full-time. On the flight back a photographer friend helped me run the numbers to make the decision clear. Immediately upon my return I quit the part-time job I was doing and dove into the deep end.

What do you love most about being a photographer?

Being a photographer has opened so many doors. Whether those be social or financial, using my camera as a tool to advance my life forward has always been something I'm grateful for. Having the ability to make art at a high level in my back pocket continues to serve me for the doors it opens as well as the ability to craft memories from my own life I'm always excited to revisit.

Can you share a recent shoot you’re especially proud of, including an image and some background on the project?

Being consistent within your work is one of the most important traits as a wedding photographer in my opinion. This same skill can also be a limiting factor for me, making me feel like my work can be one dimensional or even lazy at times. In an effort to counter that I've been trying to break outside of the box of what my work has typically looked like and could look like moving forward wherever my art career takes me. This image was inspired by another photographer Jake Wangner, using a couple of studio lights and a specific "wrist flick" technique to achieve the look entirely in camera. It came out ethereal and I'm excited to see where I take it next.

Are there any emerging trends, new gear, or technologies in photography that particularly excite you right now?

I'm pretty stoked to see film making it's way back into the fold, to the point major manufacturers have announced or released new camera bodies. This popularity allows for new film labs to open up, new cameras to release and optimistically speaking; cost to decrease as well.

How do you stay inspired and continue to innovate in your work?

I've curated the majority of my social media feeds or scrolling time to only show me art or things that inspire my interests. I've always been motivated by the work of others and trying to question why I'm not producing the same kind of work or moving in that direction.

As a judge, what qualities or elements are you most looking forward to seeing in the entries?

Ultimately this is a photography contest, so the things I am looking for are artists who know the rules and principles of the craft, but can also break those rules to carve their own moments or body of work in order to speak with their images in their own unique voice.