Artist Spotlight: Faith Teasley
We were thrilled when Faith wanted to be a part of our Shoot With Me series! Faith has been a long time Indie supporter and when she finalized her beautiful book and sent us a copy we knew she had really created something wonderful. We are truly honored to be a part of her journey. Flash forward to November 14th, 2024 and Saltwater: Coastal Collection turned 1 year old. We couldn’t think of a better time to talk about all things film with Faith!
Give a brief history of your career.
My photography journey began in 2009 when a friend asked me to photograph her family. I then decided to attend a photography internship in Nashville, TN the following year, and the rest is kind of history. I photographed weddings and portraits for over a decade, before moving into brand and commercial photography. Saltwater Collection began as a dream and side project in 2014, and I self-published my debut coffee table book on November 14, 2023.
What got you into photography? And then into film?
My sweet Grandma Betty has always loved photography and the ocean - and she instilled those same passions in me! At every family gathering growing up, she was always the one with the camera capturing it all. I learned the importance of photography through her.During the first few years of my photography career, I noticed that all of my favorite wedding photographers had one thing in common: they shot film. I was captivated by their photos, but also terrified to shoot film myself (especially during a wedding). In 2014, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to give film a try, so I rented a Contax 645 medium format camera. I shot a few rolls of Kodak Portra 400 in Southport, North Carolina - and was pleasantly surprised when I received the scans a couple weeks later! Not only did the photos turn out, but they were beautiful. I was instantly hooked. It was here that a dream was born - what if I photographed the entire North Carolina coast on film? That dream is what led to the publication of my first book of the creation of the coastal lifestyle brand, Saltwater Collection.
Color or BW? Why?
Overall, I have to say color - the way film captures color is captivating. However, I do love a good black and white photograph.
35mm or 120? Why?
I started with medium format and have never looked back.
Frontier or Noritsu? Why?
I used Noritsu for years as a Kodak shooter, but then made the switch to Frontier when I started using Fuji. These days I’m still partial to the Frontier, even though I’m shooting Kodak again.
What is your go-to film stock?
Fuji 400h, may she rest in peace. Though I have to say, I’ve been experimenting with Kodak Gold 200 lately and am loving it so far!
What do you look for when shooting?
Light, composition and magic.
What gear do you use?
My main camera is a Contax 645 paired with the 80mm f/2 Zeiss lens. I adore this set up! I also use a telephoto 210mm f/4 lens and wide 45mm f/2.8 lens.
Do you always shoot at box speed? Why? How does it work for you?
I’ll be honest, I’m not a super technical shooter. Most of the time, I’m likely shooting half of box speed - but it varies depending on the situation. I love to overexpose my film to keep a light and airy look to my photographs.
Tell us about your debut coffee table book, Saltwater: Coastal Carolina.
Saltwater: Coastal Carolina is an ode and love letter to the North Carolina coast. I spent nearly a decade photographing the Brunswick Islands, Cape Fear, Crystal Coast, Inner Banks and Outer Banks with the goal of publishing a fine art coffee table book.
In addition to intentionally curated photographs, I also wanted the book to be an immersive experience. Throughout the book, you will find inspiring travel guides and fun facts all about the North Carolina coast. I share musings of my childhood summers spent on the Pamlico Sound and how my Grandma Betty has influenced my journey. It’s the perfect book for coastal lovers everywhere! When you dive into the pages of Saltwater: Coastal Carolina, you will feel the ocean breeze, taste the salty air and hear the sound of waves crashing over and over again.
The book features nearly 200 film photographs, all scanned and developed by Indie Film Lab. Having consistency with the same lab has been amazing - giving my photographs a distinctive look, regardless of when they were taken. I photographed the NC coast from land, sea and air - and even chartered a helicopter to photograph the coast from above.
What was the creative process for bringing a project like that to life?
Once I had a solid archive of images, I worked with an incredible designer to create the basic layout of the book. It was a collaborative effort, and I really love how they helped bring my vision to life. I researched information on every region of North Carolina’s coastline, including all of the location coordinates. The book began to take on a life of its own at this point!
From there, I spent countless hours on Google and YouTube to learn how to self-publish, launch and market a book successfully. I also found a wonderful printing partner to manufacture the book.
Share some specs about your book!
The book itself is 10x13, portrait orientation and linen-wrapped hardcover. 288 pages with an inset image and foil stamping. Premium paper and custom end sheets (one of my favorite details). It has three sections: I. Intro, II. Islands and III. Sea & Sky. The Intro section includes the backstory on why the Carolina coast means so much to me. Islands features the distinct regions of the Carolina coast and also features watercolor maps by Printed Hues. Sea & Sky includes more abstract photographs that don’t necessarily belong to a certain region, but are still beautiful photographs that showcase Coastal Carolina.
Where can we buy a copy?
You can purchase our book on our website or at one of our 30+ retail partners across the United States. Visit our website www.saltwatercollection.com to learn more!
Describe your style in three words.
Calm, nostalgic and soulful.
Young Faith is asking for advice: what piece of wisdom does she need to hear the most?
Trust the process and don’t give up.
Faith Teasley
Faith Teasley calls the North Carolina coast home. She is the founder of Saltwater Collection. Her mission is to share the beauty of the Carolina coast with ocean loving souls everywhere. For more, follow her at @saltwatercollection on Instagram or visit her website at www.saltwatercollection.com.