I’m Stephen Dorton, a Virginia photographer. Some of these projects started close to home, and others began with a drive, a walk with Sandy, or a place that made me stop and look a little longer. Here’s a first look at the stories I’m working on.
This is my most personal project. Through photographs and writing, I’m exploring what it takes to begin again when life changes or a dream gets put on hold. I’ll share parts of my own story and look for the moments that help us keep going, whether they come through faith, time outdoors, or someone who shows up when we need them.
"Light Behind the Steeple"
This photo essay explores Christian faith in Virginia through the places people gather, the objects they keep close, and the ways they care for one another. One of the first photographs I’m sharing is Light Behind the Steeple, a quiet moment outside a white church as the clouds open behind it.
I’m exploring how Virginia communities celebrate Christmas through worship, music, and traditions passed down over the years. From church sanctuaries to town streets lit for the season, I want to capture what makes Christmas feel like home in each place.
This Richmond-area photo essay began on a drive from Hanover County toward Belle Isle. I started paying closer attention to the people I passed and wondering what we miss when we make assumptions about someone experiencing homelessness. The project makes room for individual stories and asks how quickly housing can become uncertain.
From the Appalachian Mountains to the coast, I’m photographing the Virginia I know and the parts I’m still getting to know. I’ll share the backroads, trails, historic places, and unexpected stops that make me want to pull over and reach for my camera.
Thanks for being here while these stories take shape. I’ll share new photographs and notes from the road on this page as the projects grow.
Stephen Dorton
Dorton Imagery