Hello!
I am Sydney, a photographer and designer located in the Southwest. Thank you so much for viewing my portfolio. All work is organized from newest to oldest. Please scroll to the bottom as I have done a variety of work dating back to 2017. Please reach out if you have any questions! This page is specifically designed as a portfolio. If you would like to view the rest of my website to see more of what I do, please feel free. Website design is also by me.
Passion Project
In January of 2024, I asked some of my friends who are Diné if I could use my photography to document their art work and process. This work was displayed in our local Gallery as a photo series for the theme, “Working the Land.” In this series, Gloria Begay told me stories of her youth and of the natural process of dyeing wool with native plants. She asked me to photograph her finished rug. As we were out taking these photos, she bent over and began picking seeds (black and white image). She explained that these seeds were used to make bread by her ancestors when running from the Blue Coats (soldiers). I find these stories to be important because they show the history and importance of the land we walk. I believe these stories should be remembered for future generations. This project is ongoing. Gallery showing up through August, 2024.
The Salton Sea
This article was written for a personal project. My husband and I enjoy traveling and as we drove by this mysterious region, I thought I would do a deep dive into the history and dangers of this region. This may seem like a regional issue, but it is a great representation of what America was built on.
written in 2024
Design Work
All work below was designed for wholesale, commission or fun. Please click the arrows at the left hand corner to see all of the images!
2021-2024
All design work and photography (except for Mock-ups) were created by Sydney Smolla. Copywriting all by Sydney unless otherwise stated. I find it important to utilize quality photography in design to make complicated topics easy to understand for all audiences.
Corporate Style Design
2024, A portion of a proposal for my business.
2024, Flyers made for my business.
2023, contracted by Murphy Builders to design RFP template in InDesign. Copywriting not by Sydney.
2021, Designed InDesign template for South Platte NRD Newsletter. Click the image to view PDF.
Graphic Design Work with City of Gallup, NM
2022-2023
Contract 2. This campaign was inspired by the WPA style. I was contracted to design illustrations that captured the spirit of Route 66. After the work was delivered, the person who hired me resigned, and the new employee went in a different direction. The work was never used, but this is a representation of what it would have looked like.
2022-2023
Contract 1. I was contracted by the City of Gallup to act as a liaison with the business owners and the City of Gallup during 9 months of construction on the downtown main street. I worked with both the city and business owners to create campaigns to brighten up the construction region and bring people downtown.
Conservation Award Videos
Videos edited, filmed and directed by Sydney Smolla (Norris) for South Platte Natural Resources District for Award Ceremony. Drone footage by High Point Aerial Services. Created in 2022
Articles for Twin Platte Natural Resources District
Writing and photography by Sydney Smolla(Norris), 2020. Click the images to view the articles.
Fight or Flight, or Both
A Ditch or Natural Oasis?
Diving into Ground Water
More Than a Line of Trees
Journalistic Writing
These are just a few of many articles I wrote and photographed as a correspondent with the Kearney Hub Newspaper and my college newspaper, the Antelope. I was still in school during this time (2017). My maiden name is Sydney Norris.
Where you may have seen my work:
Coming Soon