Artist Bio

I was born in Asheville North Carolina and have always identified as an artist.  After graduating high school in 1997 the choice to pursue modeling and acting eventually led me to New York City.  It did not take long for me to conclude however that my attraction to the idea of being “on-camera” was ill-fitted, unsustainable, and could not compete with the deeper desire that I had to create.  Subsequently I was inspired to step “behind the camera” and test my own shooting skills after working with some very talented photographers- the most influential to me being Beth Boldt.  Boldt is credited with discovering supermodel Naomi Campbell and helping to cultivate the early careers of Christy Turlington & Ashton Kutcher.  Not only did I get to be one of Beth’s models but she also let me be her photographer’s assistant and it was this experience that led me to fall in love with the idea of being a “fashion photographer”.

In 2001 my mother agency encouraged me to begin photographing portfolios for their models & talent.  I quit my “corporate” job and focused entirely on photography which led to my becoming the official photographer for TALK Greenville, shooting all of TALK’s monthly covers and inside editorial starting with the prototype at TALK’s inception then continuing afterward for nearly nine years.  Along with this came opportunities to photograph leading S.C. business women & men, portrait clients of all types, model test shoots for Ford NYC & Major Models NYC etc., headshots for the Miss SC America & USA franchises.  The list goes on.

Most recently employed as Creative Director and Cover / Editorial photographer for the international women’s lifestyle quarterly called ELYSIAN Magazine, I worked with Publisher & team to further build and strengthen the brand.  Coming on board after their 2nd edition and serving through the 8th edition, I photographed everything from the Inauguration of President Trump to family portraits of Jennifer Justice- NYC powerhouse attorney and primary force behind the building of Jay Z’s brand, Roc Nation.

Now 18 years since first picking up the camera, I value collaboration and co-creation with amazing clients.  I am lucky to have eyes to see with and to possess the ability to photograph so much beauty.  To have a portfolio of work that I am proud of that is connected with so many interesting stories and life experiences feels like success to an artist like me.

Josh Norris

 

Some favorite photo shoot memories and footage included below.