Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Pardue.
Hi Scott, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have a deep history in the arts which has evolved over the years into photography and film. I have an undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming in English and Theatre and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the University of Iowa. From the time I was a small child I excelled in art and creative writing and have consistently expressed myself through drawing, painting, writing, theatre, photography and film. I was born in Elk River, Minnesota and was raised in Casper, Wyoming. I am the second of four children with one older brother and two younger (identical twin) sisters. We were never well off but when my parents divorced when I was ten, our financial situation deteriorated considerably. My Mom worked as a bookkeeper at Montgomery Wards making $4.50 an hour to support the four of us but continually struggled to get child support from my Dad.
I mention this because I believe it has shaped my interests and art – particularly the divorce. When my Dad moved out, I struggled mightily with anxiety and academics until I met an English teacher named Tom Weidner who had a tremendous impact on me. Mr. Weidner was a complicated, deeply religious man but provided me with a much needed male role model. Fingerprints of his influence can be seen in many of the themes that emerge in my work, most recently a series called “Angels and Demons” that illustrates many of today’s issues in metaphysical terms.
Another aspect of my work is that it tends to have romantic themes with a painterly style. I love photographing weddings, especially bridal portraits because it gives me a foundation to express in this way. No doubt, the impact of my parents’ divorce is an internal driver. You can also see this in many of the senior portraits I have done, pushing for flowing, rich, imagery that you can easily envision as a painting.
Finally, anyone who looks at the work I’ve created will probably notice that it is full of people. When I was young, I took a Rorschach Inkblot Test and was told by the tester, “It simply helps people understand how you view the world.” Well, I saw TONS of faces and people in the inkblots. The man who tested me said, “You seem to think of your history in terms of people.” That is still true. I enjoy art, I love photography and film, but most of all, I enjoy capturing the spirit, the essence of the people I am working with and their unique story.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced is work/life balance: Trying to find a happy medium between feeding my soul and feeding my family. I believe it is really important that our kids see us vigorously pursuing what we love to do. However, it is also important for our kids to see us in the flesh. Over the years, my wife and I have put together strategies to mitigate the strain that can happen when I am working on big projects. It can still be tough but it can also be rewarding.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a photographer and owner of UpperRoom.Studio that specializes in creative (fine art) shoots. People who hire UpperRoom.Studio are looking for something different, something more than a canned wedding package or headshot. One of the people who recently hired us said, “I chose you because your work was unlike anything I have seen!” And that is typical. My son, Daly Pardue is a big part of UpperRoom.Studio and we have developed a philosophy called “Seven Steps to Extraordinary Photos”. These steps help clients understand the mindset we are bringing to a shoot that goes beyond snapping photos. A creative shoot with us is more of an adventure, it is about expression – getting to know someone as much as you can and expressing that the best you can in the time you have together.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I am a very energetic, creative person and love collaborating with others to come up with unique/interesting ideas. I love pushing the envelope of what is possible to find the soul of someone or something. It can make for long days and challenging problems to overcome, but hopefully, in the end, we find something that pushes against the conventional and wants to be a piece of art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.upperroom.studio/
- Instagram: upperroom.studio
- Facebook: pardue.scott
- Youtube: UpperRoom.Studio
