Meet Aurora Adams | Photographer, Stylist & Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aurora Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aurora, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“Find one thing and stick to it”. That has just never been my style, and because of this I’ve grown as an artist in more places than just one. My business combines my love of photography, fashion, art direction and styling, and even poetry and human psychology. Our talents can be complimentary, and exploring all of your interests can take you down a creative path you would never be able to get to without allowing yourself room to explore and grow in many places.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Fates Photo is my photography and styling business that I created after two decades of taking photos of my family and friends. I grew up the oldest of 5 and always had my siblings to create art with. I would write, direct, and sometimes act in short films and skits, and my siblings and friends would oblige my creative ideas(though not always willingly). I took my sister’s senior photos before I ever considered myself a professional artist, and they honestly still stand to this day–I’m proud of that work. Taking photos in order to freeze time and preserve memories is at the core of what I do. I’m a heavily nostalgic person, and photos can be a beautiful reminder of who we are, who we were, and all that points to who we can be, still. The biggest shift in my life as an artist happened when I moved from Sioux City, IA–where I was born and raised–to Paris, France for the 9-month adventure of a lifetime. I was 22 and started working with global creatives as a performance artist in a monthly collective exhibition called Dimanche Rouge. That really opened my eyes to what being an artist can be, and where I could take myself as a creative. After that I toured with a band called King Eddie out of Detroit, MI where I was a singer. Moving to Denver was another big life chapter. I started modeling and doing styling here. I’ve been in Denver 7 years now, raising a daughter who is also an artist. She just had her first art show and sold out all her pieces!
To this day I am now a published photographer and model. I have made some beautiful, lasting friendships with many creatives in the Denver community, and those relationships have really influenced my work as a photographer, a performer, and model.
When someone hires me to take their photos, I think they are seeing the culmination of my life experiences in the work that I post. It’s not just a picture, but a way of seeing my subject that brings a special, creative side of them to light. The experience is artful in that we experiment with styles, lighting, and poses in a very dance-with-the-muse sort of way. I’m a creative before I am a business owner, but I take my business organization seriously, and I think my clients value that–just as much as I value their willingness to show up and get weird with me to make what I think are pretty cool pictures.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week in Denver you gotta book food, events, hikes, and hit the small business circuit. A lot of times you can do all those things in one or two stops nearby. I like to take my people around to the places that are a part of my everyday life. I live in Whitter/Five Points which is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Denver. It’s got rich, rooted Black and Hispanic culture and really old Denver architecture. I like to go to the Curtis Park Delicatessen for lunch and check out Alchemy Ritual Goods next door. Genna Rae Wings & More is a hidden gem for the best chicken in the city, and Lou’s Italian Specialties is a great place to explore the menu. I go to Whittier Cafe for really good drinks and to get some computer work done. I recommend their oat milk matcha lattes with lavender syrup or the caramel queen coffee drink (add chocolate). While there you can check out the latest local artist they have featured for the month, and they always have good music playing on the speakers. Hit Mimosas for brunch, then Nocturne and Mercury Cafe for a unique dinner experience. Outside of Five Points I love everything cooked in duck fat at Onefold, and the fish sauce wings at Pho & Bar are to die for. The vegan “pork” ramen at East Tao Ramen is one of my favorites, and for non-vegan ramen I love TOKIO. Other good cafes to hang out and work are Roostercat, St. Mark’s, The Bardo and Thump. The beautiful thing about Denver is that the mountains are just a 30-45min drive in two different directions. I like to take my friends for a hike at Red Rocks Park in Morrison or the Sanitas Trail in Boulder. We can go to Garden of the Gods if we really want to get out into the Colorado landscape! My friends and I use freecampsites.net to car camp or pack out and camp without paying campsite fees. We have found some really beautiful places to stay, but I do recommend only venturing out in a 4WD vehicle.
A show at Red Rocks is an absolute must. That venue is truly something special–you have to experience it. Same goes for the new Meow Wolf interactive exhibit. My team with the artist Christopher Owen Nelson did an entire room installation there and it is a must-see for the Denver sites now. A whole night event, complete with food at any of the Alamo Draft House locations is also a must. You can also catch really incredible indie films at the Sie or Mayan Theatre, and those are true Denver staples. Stop at the Tattered Cover and browse records at Twist & Shout, even walk around the grounds of the gorgeous, historical East High School across the street while waiting for your film start time at the Sie–that’s a real niche Denver experience.
Other small businesses I love are Ritual Cravt, Shop at MATTER, Talulah Jones, and Herbs & Arts. I know there’s more so if you need extra recs DM me @fatesphoto on IG

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldnt be where I am today without the incredible women in my life who have uplifted, encouraged, supported, and created with me. In this last year those women include Kathrine Weissner of Kathrine Weissner Coaching, Whitney Jacobson of Whitney Michelle Photo, Valen Ibarra of Blumenhaus Florals, and my coach and friend Marina Foerster, just to name a few. I also live with two of my best friends and our home has made my life one of calm and nurturing creative energy. I am eternally grateful to these women for all they have shared with me and the confidence their energy and care has given me.

Website: www.fatesphoto.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatesphoto

Other: Portfolio: www.fatesphoto.pixieset.com

Image Credits
1) Olivia Ecstasis 2) Chelsea Cheyenne 3) Jessica Hinkhouse 4) Self on Film 5) Jasmine and Atticus 6) Kathrine Weissner at Atelier Broadway 7) Jorgelina Sanchez 8) Gracie Emory