Hello! I am Robert Williams, they/them pronouns

A child of the internet, I began saving and inspecting references to old print ads and film photographs through platforms like Instagram and Tumblr. When I wanted to dive seriously into photography, my mother told me I needed to learn 35mm photography before picking up a DSLR. Starting with a Chinon CP-7m, I began documenting the world around me, learning to read light and prioritize exposure settings. Through years of practice, and a few improperly loaded rolls of film, I eventually transitioned to shooting digital. I am currently enrolled in the Digital Media and Storytelling Master’s program at Loyola University Chicago, aiming to enhance my technical skills in photography and videography to compose compelling stories. 

My educational background is in Theatre History & Performance Texts. Because of this, I always take a dramaturgical approach to creating content: How can I connect my audience to the story? Building a world that feels familiar and attainable is my approach. It lets audiences step into the story and see themselves in it. Whether capturing on film or digital, I map out storyboards that fit the story’s needs while implementing a signature aesthetic. My work today centers on performing arts documentation and editorial storytelling, capturing performance, body, and atmosphere on both film and digital  

When I am not behind the camera or in front of my laptop, I can be found on a camping trip with friends in the Ozarks, listening to live music in New Orleans, or walking the neighborhood with my partner and our dog, Almond Joy.