2025, Feeding the Creative Engine.
A Creative A Year in Review with OMS Owner and Photographer TJ Vissing.
As we close out the year, it felt important to pause and reflect – not just on the work we created, but on the moments that reshaped how we see, think, and make. This year brought a series of projects and experiences that pushed us creatively, technically, and personally, reminding us why we do what we do in the first place.
From slowing down and letting photography lead the way, to deep creative collaboration, to finding new ways to share work that might otherwise live quietly in the archives, 2025 was a year of rediscovery and growth.
We’re kicking things off with one of OMS’s owners and photographers, TJ Vissing, as he shares a few personal reflections on the trips, projects, and partnerships that stood out most. Each one leaving a lasting mark on how he approaches creativity, inspiration, and storytelling.
TJ – Part One: Iceland
“A few thoughts on the Iceland trip. For the first time in my photography career, I took a trip that was conceived entirely as photo-centric. We moved at a snail’s pace, intentionally slowing down to capture the essence of whatever place we happened to be standing in. Giving the photography permission to dictate our pace, and our place, was a true blessing.”
Check out the full gallery here: https://travel.omsphoto.com/galleries/iceland
TJ – Part Two: Esoteric Art Show
“The Esoteric show was a first for me. When I was asked to put together a body of my travel photography from over the years, I’ll admit I was a little nervous. Travel work spans places, moments, and decades, and I worried I might struggle to curate something that felt cohesive.
The process took many hours and countless revisions, but working through it forced me to look more closely. Not just at what I photographed, but how I see the world. In the end, the work came together in a way that felt honest and intentional. Seeing those images hanging in a space, experienced by others, was incredibly satisfying.
One of the great challenges of travel photography is figuring out how to share it. Too often, those images live quietly in the archives, rarely finding their way into the world. This project reminded me that making the work is only part of the equation…sharing it is just as important. That realization was one of the most meaningful takeaways for me this year. Here are a few.”
Check out the full gallery here: https://travel.omsphoto.com/esoteric-show
TJ – Part Three: OHLQ
Another defining moment from this year was the conclusion of our OHLQ project. In February, we wrapped our final shoot with some of my favorite clients of all time – Sarah Spring and Roger Pinnick.
That collaboration began in late 2020, with our first shoot taking place in early 2021. For the first two years, we shot four times annually, then twice a year after that. Over the course of those years, we had the distinct privilege of working closely with Sarah and Roger on a project that demanded, and revealed, the full breadth of talent within our studio.
These shoots were major productions, starting well before we ever stepped onto set. Nancy played a critical role in putting the pieces in place early, weaving the complexity of the timeline into our everyday workflow so the studio could continue running smoothly. Getting out in front of it…early and strong….was essential, and we absolutely did.
The creativity that OMS Photographers, Marci Rhodes, Delaney McQuown, and Sarah Hone brought to each shoots over the years was extraordinary and something I won’t soon forget. The way the team organized, collaborated, and charged out of the gate, with stylists and assistants firing on all cylinders from the first frame to the last, was a true display of collective talent and trust.
Logistically, it was no small feat. Trucking everything we needed up to Columbus and back, then getting the studio reset and humming again, took precision, stamina, and teamwork. Sarah and Roger were incredible partners throughout, arriving with thoughtful, well-developed ideas that allowed us to tackle four recipes a day (times two) while staying focused and inspired.
Roger kept us aligned, making sure we were hitting the right looks at the right moments, referencing past imagery, and ensuring the new work stayed cohesive with what came before. Sarah Spring was present for every shot, helping shape the personality and story each image needed to carry. Their engagement was tireless, their energy infectious, and their respect for our process deeply felt.
Working with them felt like working with people who truly had our backs and valued what we brought to the table. We will miss collaborating with them greatly and hope our paths cross again someday.
Here are a few of our favorite shots from over the years:
TJ – Part Four: Castle & Key
Shooting the Castle & Key bottles with Paul was another highlight of the year. We started simply, letting the product lead, and watched the exploration grow naturally as the shoot evolved. It reminded me how much a vision can transform once you begin layering in ideas and, just as importantly, developing the skills and tools needed to actually pull those ideas off.
The bottles lent themselves beautifully to clean, straightforward photography, and we created some strong images purely as stills. But once Paul and I began pushing into new territory, the project took on a life of its own. Paul’s fearless, curious approach to emerging tech opened the door to possibilities I wouldn’t have arrived at alone.
One tweak led to another, and before long we were working across stills, video, 3D modeling, AI, and special effects – using the editing process as a testing ground to explore what works, what doesn’t, and where image-making is headed in this new era. That willingness to experiment, to follow the momentum wherever it led, made the project both exciting and deeply instructive.
Here is the final cut – using our SISU Robot Arm: