Rancho Del Sueno, translated to “Ranch of Dreams” is the backdrop for Sister B Studios. On a recent SY afternoon, I caught up with the masters behind this fire-brand photography business. Within moments of the interview, it became very apparent these sisters were less about photography and more about capturing emotions that will be felt for decades, and they do it with an old-school flare.
Talia and Bri Burkett are deeply rooted fourth-generation “Valley” locals with a knack for
throwing a lens at meaningful moments and capturing raw emotion as it unfolds. Talia is the older sister and both were educated at Dunn School, where they found their love for photography in the film lab and darkroom twisting rolls of film. Bri specifically recalls cultivating moments where it came to life; “I fell in love instantly”, she smirked. Both sisters credit their time at Dunn School, and specifically educator Cam Jacoby. “That’s where it all started.” Mike Mesikep was another local mentor early on. “These men were awesome and taught us the traditions of film.” Talia recalls, “Bri always had a camera and she would just shoot to shoot. It was an appendage of her. You see the raw and small moments that make a picture. There are so many layers to that…There’s something special about watching your photos come to life.”
The sisters openly admit they have different outlooks and styles, but Bri was quick to remark, “That is the beauty of what works well and meshes for us.” One aspect that is the same; both of these sisters have a natural eye for capturing the feeling of special moments and translating that into their work. “It is art.” The duo can connect with their clients, which brings a feeling of comfort to everyone. From that, they’re able to capture natural moments. Talia and Bri agree their specialty is doing just that. “You have to shoot it in the raw. Anyone can set up a pose or move a chin ‘just so’ for the perfect shot. We’re different. We’re looking for the perfect shot in its natural state. That is capturing life, emotion, and the moment. And it is beautiful.” While Sister B Studios has a strong focus on wedding photography, they also focus on shooting “life”, or as they refer to it, “human-focused.” Talia recounted a deeply personal experience where she captured the last remaining days of a close friend’s ill father. “You can’t have a photograph unless there are highlights and shadows, and if you can’t accept the shadows, that is denying half of our human experience.” “We don’t edit out the ‘bad.’ We don’t manipulate. We live in reality. When you start to manipulate an image, it all becomes a fantasy. Loving yourself is a revolutionary act, and we try to capture the authenticity of that…What we do is so much bigger than a picture. That is what it is all about."
With technology advancing, Sister B still has an old-school approach, kinda. “I was such a purist. I refused to get a digital camera for the longest time”, Talia grinned. “I like the old-school way…In a world where everything is so accessible, old-school prevails.” Bri was quick to exclaim film was how she fell in love with photography, but when she went away to college, “they only taught digital.” “We go through every photograph, one by one.” Both recognize technological advancements are forward progress. “You can’t deny that. We can’t live in the past, but we can find ways to honor it.” Talia remarked, “We don’t strive to ‘pump out work.’ We want it to be authentic, and to provide you with the most incredible photographs of a moment.”
SIDE BAR:
www.sisterbstudios.com
Instagram: @sisterbstudios