Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Taryn Ferro. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Taryn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Owning a business is committing to taking risks every day.

I’m actually in the middle of a risk taking adventure and right now with my endeavor back into film photography, my OG medium of choice.

For 12 out of the 15 years of owning Aw, Snap photography I’ve focused on digital media, keeping up with latest market needs and trends. Lately I’ve been feeling the need to slow down and get back in touch with my love of film. I started Neuro Grain last year (2023) with the intention of exploring film media purely for myself, and not the client. In doing so I’ve reacquainted myself with the thrill of the unknown and am eternally thankful I’ve kept up the practice of in-camera editing.

Taryn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Taryn Ferro, owner of Aw, Snap Photography and Neuro Grain, is a celebrated photographer and entrepreneur in Knoxville TN. Through her background in photojournalism, her photography endeavors to explore activism, community outreach, and nature as her subjects.

Currently Taryn is working on a series of works exploring editorials and portraiture of “meeting people where they are at.” These works aim to illuminate the beauty and complexity of an individual and how they move through the world. This body of work is in constant evolution and progress and aims to elevate our definition of the norm and the expected to encompass the greater possibilities of human nature.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I, like most photographers, am more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it, but if I have one piece of advice for anyone trying to grow their business it would be to talk to people and network. Take every opportunity to get to know the people around you and people you respect, and share what you do with them.

At this point 100% of my business comes from networking and word of mouth. People are looking for good business and trust the word of their community. That being said you want to make a good first impression but also set realistic expectations, this fosters trust and respect in you.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I’m a bit a purest in the human sense. I love to show people who they are and how the world can see them through photography.

My working and exhibition style focusses more on rawness and being tapped into my subjects. As an individual I practice body positivity, and regularly evolve my understanding of the human condition to encompass all possibilities, which in short means I hold no judgement and expect no masks or predetermined norms from people. This also bleeds into my no-photoshop editing process. I do most of my editing in camera to capture reality, which can be fantastical in itself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @neuro_grain @awsnapshots

Image Credits

Headshot of Taryn – Dizzy Lizzy Digital