Conversations with Dylan Burr

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Burr.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Portraits can be a creative way to show who you are or even to “play a character” to create something closer to art. I love the spontaneity of weddings and the challenges they bring, but you don’t really have the time or control that you can have with a portrait or headshot session.

From my work creating wet plate collodion portraits, I really focus on those minute details to make an exceptional portrait. It’s also incredibly fun to play with light to create different moods and looks. The more visualizing and work you put into it prior to hitting the button the better you get as a photographer.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The technical challenges of producing a decent exposure with wet plate collodion proved to be a steep learning curve. It quickly became something I just HAD to figure out. After that, then you realize your subject has no emotion, no feeling… that is the next level for your work. A correctly exposed photo, but one that also “says” something.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Portraits and headshots. I am most proud of my attention to detail, composition, and use of light. Many of my clients remark that “I just see things differently.” I like to have the setting and light complement what we are trying to say about this person and this photograph. I also don’t want or need to do that in an obvious way or similar to what you’ve seen before.

I’m not claiming to be the most unique and creative photographer, but I try to give my clients something special. Something unique like they are. I am really good with people so I can generally draw out the real person, or we can create a persona that you embody and I can visualize that with them.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love about Colorado is the variety. We have some amazing outdoor locations. Mountains, trees, rock formations, desolate landscapes. Lots to choose from that can support the end portrait we are making. We also have some really neat urban areas and some great architecture in the city. So many textures and leading lines that can make some really dynamic portraits.

A few things I think Denver lacks is its historic preservation and creation of community spaces. So many great theaters and opera houses were demolished in the 1960s and 1970s. Some even to make room for parking lots. It is getting better in recent years, but good community spaces for people to live and interact are rather hard to come by.

Pricing:

• Super simple headshots, 15 min, $99
• Wet Plate Portraits, $400-600
• Full Marketing and Branding Sessions, Start at $450

Contact Info:

• Email: mail@dylanburr.com
• Website: https://coloradoportrait.com/

Image Credits
Dylan Burr Photography