Special Sections

4 • Exploring the Arts • News Graphic & Daily News • April 2, 2020 By Lisa Curtis Special to Conley Media CEDARBURG -- It's not often that one will fi nd cinnamon rolls and eyelashes in the same setting, but then most people aren't Deni Storm. The Cedarburg photographer who makes a living capturing memorable images for high school seniors and families has also gained attention for her "conceptual art." Storm is prolifi c in her Instagram posts that make generous use of produce, eating utensils, a faucet spigot, plants and dead bugs, all in an eff ort to inspire happiness and goodwill. An Arizona native, Storm shuffl ed through seven diff erent majors, including nursing, at Arizona State before falling in love with photography. I was NOT cut out to be a nurse," Storm said. "I loved the craft, the history and the art of photography. I haven't looked back." She and her future husband, Dave Rogers, moved to Cedarburg after 9/11 to be closer to his family, she said. She founded Deni Storm Photography in 2011. About 85 percent of her business is taking senior photos and family portraits, Storm said. She estimates she takes about 50 senior photos a year. The trick to capturing just the right image is connecting with the subject, she said. "If you are not able to connect with your clients, then it shows in the fi nal product," Storm said. "For me, it's the most important part of my job, and the most enjoyable. I really like people, so I love getting to know who I'm photographing. Every one of my clients leaves my studio as a friend." She is also the photographer for the Cedarburg High School plays and musicals and the Cedarburg Children's Theater presentations. She recently photographed the Cedarburg Education Foundation Gala. But it is what Storm does with life's ordinary items that really gets the looks. Storm manages to see art in every mundane thing that most people overlook as they go about their daily routines. Like at the grocery store "I'm embarrassing in the produce department because I have to fi nd the perfect pepper or just the right bunch of beets" she said. "Everyday objects appeal to me because we can all relate to them." In fact, the fi rst photo she was ever paid for was in college when she created a black and white image of an agave plant. "The buyer insisted I sign it, and I thought it was kind of ridiculous," she said. "I wonder if he still has it." Her series of Christmas tree posts each December have included fi rs made out of pencils, the pages of a book, peas, dollar bills and popcorn and peanuts. Storm said she likes to create the unexpected, such as using cinnamon rolls and eyelashes to make a Princess Leia. Dead bugs that she and her children fi nd on walks also turn up frequently. "I also have a series called Magic Tap, that uses an old spigot, and anything can come out of it … goldfi sh, clouds, marbles," she said. Storm's four children can also be seen occasionally, or at least parts of them. In one image, her daughter Grace's hair was twisted in a way that made it appear to be the crooked branches of an old tree. The photo was taken against a sky-blue backdrop with black birds that appears to be sitting on the branches of the girl's hair. Instagram featured the photo several years ago, giving Storm an audience of millions. "That was pretty exciting," Storm said. "But really, my greatest honor is when a client tells me how much their photos mean to them, or when I can brighten someone's day or give them a laugh. That's why I do what I do." The photos are available on prints and gallery wraps on Storm's website, https:// denistorm.com. She said she is working on putting them on dish towels, mugs and other items. From beets to cotton balls Photographer uses everyday items to brighten people's day Photos courtesy of Deni Storm

• Cover