Evan Parsons built his commercial photography career by focusing on what most people ignore. He does not chase attention. In fact, he waits for it to pass before clicking the shutter. He looks for quiet spaces during loud events and small gestures during big productions. This is precisely what sets his work apart.
A View From the Edge
Parsons started as a production assistant on film sets in Vancouver. During breaks, he took photos of the people around him, not during their big scenes but in between moments. Parsons’ shots were unconventional compared to the usual “behind-the-scenes” fare: a tired grip rubbing his eyes or an actor tying his shoes.
He shared these images online, which slowly gained attention. His photos didn’t try too hard to be showy or ostentatious — they simply observed. Eventually, Park Pictures invited him to join as a stills photographer. He captured still photos during commercial shoots, which advertisers later used in billboard ads and promotional material.
Today, Parsons has established his unique style in photography. He continues to shoot from the edges while major ad campaigns unfold around him. He aims for the unconventional and positions himself just outside the frame, where the real story often begins.
Finding Meaning Others Walk Past
Parsons’ career has grown with his recent campaigns, one example being for Bank of America at the Masters golf tournament. When most of the creative team focused on branded visuals, Parsons captured fleeting but real moments: a golfer leaning on a fence at sunrise or a caddy sipping coffee in the shadows. These images revealed another side of the story, one that felt human.
Parsons’ work style is built around patience. His “over-the-shoulder” method involves staying present without interfering. He often prefers not to pose his subjects or interrupt the scene. He lets things happen and watches for what others might miss.
This style fits the shift happening in advertising. In the U.S., ad spending reached $380 billion in 2024 and is projected to rise above $500 billion by 2030. This shows how companies are rethinking ways to connect with people and turning to images that feel less staged. Parsons’ quiet work speaks to that need.
A Career Built on Quiet
Parsons learned by doing, and this process remains at the heart of his work. His personal projects, like State Lines and Everlasting, continue to explore forgotten spaces: small towns, gas stations, and empty roads. These silent, overlooked places might not seek attention, but they are rich with untold stories, ready to be discovered.
While Instagram played a key role in his early career, Parsons now avoids chasing trends. For him, visibility is secondary to the work itself. He believes that recognition naturally follows when the images are powerful enough to speak for themselves.
Through his lens, Parsons emphasizes the importance of stillness. His work reveals that the most meaningful moments often emerge from the periphery of attention. His patience and quiet presence enable him to notice what others might miss, allowing him to capture the hidden narratives in everyday life.
