Joliet Morrill - Artists - FERRARA SHOWMAN GALLERY

Artist Statement

My journey into street photography began with the careful, deliberate process of shooting on my first film camera, a Canon AE-1, during high school. Each shot felt precious, and I was nervous, believing every image needed to be meticulously composed. Over time, my approach evolved. I started carrying an Olympus point-and-shoot everywhere I went—parties, long walks, vacations. It became an extension of me, and I naturally assumed the role of the designated photographer in my friend group, capturing the candid, fleeting moments of our gatherings and adventures. This past summer, I visited my friend Mia in the United Kingdom. We spent a day wandering around Mia’s hometown, Windsor, where I expected to photograph the town's quaint charm and historic architecture. Instead, we stumbled upon a fair, oddly placed in the middle of a field with no signage leading to it. The scene was bizarre—American flags waving in a distinctly British setting with kids looking miserable and heat that felt very familiar to home in New Orleans. It was a scene that felt familiar and strange, like looking into a distorted reflection of a place I thought I knew. I’m drawn to capturing moments like this—fleeting, seemingly ordinary instances. My process is spontaneous; I take photos on the go and leave the film development to chance, relying on local developers during my travels. Sometimes, there are smudges on my lens that I didn’t clean thoroughly or chemical issues from developing at a budget lab that leave splotches on the photos. There’s a thrill in getting the photos back, sharing them with friends like Mia, and hearing them say, "Wow, I didn’t even notice this moment!" Sometimes, without needing to speak, Mia and I would exchange a glance that said, "This is a good shot." I would then quietly take the photo.

Biography

Joliet Morrill is a New Orleans-based photographer specializing in street photography and portraiture. She studied Art History and Sociology at Mount Holyoke College, where she explored the intersection of art and education. Her studies in modern and contemporary art, focusing on preserving family memories, led to a final project archiving family photos and examining how different generations maintain their histories. This experience shaped her approach to photography, allowing her to capture authenticity and emotion in both everyday life and high fashion. Joliet's work blends nostalgia and intimacy, bridging the gap between spontaneous moments and staged shoots. Joliet is the founder and admin of f/504, a creative photography collective in New Orleans dedicated to fostering free, accessible networking and collaborative events. The collective focuses on photography, digital media, modeling, and fashion, providing a safe and inclusive platform for artists of all ages and skill levels. She also runs Lapin's Workshop, a community studio space in the Bywater that offers sliding-scale workshops, including drawing classes and open studio days. Joliet is curating an upcoming exhibition and open call with the New Orleans Photo Alliance titled Abstract Sur-real. This show will showcase a diverse range of works, from abstract portraiture to surrealism and realism, including photography by Joliet and Franck H. Godefroy. The exhibition invites submissions that challenge traditional photography, encouraging artists to explore mixed media and innovative approaches. Her work is available at jolietmorrill.com, with film photography showcased on Instagram at @joliet.candid and portraits at @photo.joliet.

Curriculum Vitae

B. 1999 New Orleans, LA
Education
Mount Holyoke College, 2021, Art History and Sociology.
Exhibitions
Art Gallery Auction, Mount Holyoke College, 2019
Human Experience, New Orleans Photo Alliance, 2024
No Dead Artists, Ferrara Showman Gallery, 2024
Abstract Sur-real, Open Call In Conversation and Curated by Joliet Morrill and Franck H.
Godefroy, New Orleans Photo Alliance, 2024