Why This Became THE Image: Episode One | Jada and David

Why This Became THE Image: Episode One

Blog by Jada Parrish | Why This Became THE Image| 06/27/26

Here’s how 1,000 photos became one.

We built an elaborate submarine set out of plywood and paint, and drove it all the way to Nashville for a photoshoot. It was a ton of work, but we had a really specific vision for this shoot and we just had to make it happen.

Why This Became THE Image: Episode One - Jada And David Parrish

The concept was really about those moments in life when you have a plan, and then suddenly something happens and everything gets derailed. We used a lot of props like maps and life vests, and really tried to create an environment where we could explore some big, heavy emotions. On set, it's all about trying to capture that exact feeling of being trapped in a moment where control is totally out of your hands.

Sifting through the noise

By the end of the shoot, we had a thousand photos to cull through. But we knew we were only ever going to frame one photo to show as art.

We used Narrative to sort through the images and eliminate the ones that were technically eh. But even then, how do you pick just one photo against so many other similar images?

Why This Became THE Image: Episode One - Jada And David Parrish

At a certain point, you have to stop looking at the technical side and start looking for the feeling. How do you actually pick just one?

The final frame

We ended up choosing this photo against all the others because it was so symmetrical. I loved how eerie it felt. It felt too perfect, and kind of unsettling. The symmetry almost traps you in the frame, which fit the whole submarine concept so beautifully.

Why This Became THE Image: Episode One - Jada And David Parrish

I also loved how blank the model’s expression was. It was one of those faces where you couldn’t really tell… was she happy? Was she sad? Is she lonely? I don’t know.

It didn't give the viewer an easy answer, and that’s what I kept coming back to. It just really made me pause, and kind of want to sit with that image a little bit longer.

And that’s how this photo became the image.

A huge thanks to Narrative

A massive thank you to Narrative for sponsoring this series! Honestly, when you're dealing with thousands of photos per shoot, having a tool that handles the culling workflow smoothly is a lifesaver.

If you want to try it out for your own workflow, you can use our link to sign up for Narrative and use the promo code jada5896 at checkout to get 10% off (which gets added directly to your account).