A Year of Texture and Transition with Delaney McQuown

A Year in Review with OMS Photographer, Delaney McQuown

Reflecting on my work this year, I focused a great deal on the in-between moments in my subject matter.
My eyes were drawn to fleeting actions like clinking, dripping, biting, and other split-second
moments. My style tended to land in one of two worlds: either crispy, sharp, and textural imagery
or blurry, hazy, and dreamy ones. As far as color palette and lighting go, I was feeling a bit
moodier than last year, with darker tones contrasting pops of color. I loved shooting loose and
framing my work with crops later. This year, I definitely favored close framing, partial hints of
people, and backdrops that let the subjects pop. In addition, I photographed lots of beverages this
year! From wine to tea to seltzers, I covered a wide range of liquids. With each drink, I learned something
new, and I am happy to have so many of the images in my portfolio. All in all, I’m happy with the
direction of this year, and I can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!

Milk and Cookie Experiment. I was working to make Oreo block prints on paper and unexpectedly
captured this drippy outtake. I didn’t realize this shot existed until I revisited my Capture session
almost 3 months later. Sometimes fresh eyes are needed!

Elegant hand holding a lit cannabis joint in front of a pink gradient background with tropical flower accents. — Cigarillo Spec Shoot. Fun fact: The flowers in the foreground came from an OMS neighbor’s yard
(with their permission, of course!)

Ercole Wine. Molly requested wine imagery for the website, and I leaned into a whimsical
interpretation that stayed true to my style. Shout-out to Molly and Jack for the hand modeling.

Photograph of Malik Adoyi (Heyman Talent) eating Cheetos on an alarmingly white couch.

Chamberlain Coffee Matcha. I love a good Matcha, and the second shot is how a good matcha
makes me feel– lost in the magic!

HIYO social tonics. This shot was significantly underexposed, and I brought up the levels to reveal a
pleasantly blurred moment. I chose not to discard it because it felt like it embodied the nature of
HIYO who states its functional botanicals provide a mood-boosting lift they like to call “the
float.” Wardrobe stylist, Kelly Spicer contributed playful garment pieces for this shoot with Azalea
Laverde and Malik Adoyi.