In photography, inspiration often strikes unexpectedly. For Amanda J. Cain (@amandajcain), team photographer for the Detroit Pistons, her latest personal project delves into an unexpected subject: shoes. Cain has crafted a unique photographic narrative that intertwines personal stories with artistic expression, capturing the essence of each shoe she photographs.

Cain's journey into shoe photography began organically, sparked by a simple purchase that ignited her curiosity about the stories shoes can tell. "I never had those iconic sneakers growing up," she reminisces, but now, through her lens, she’s capturing not just footwear, but the memories and meanings they carry.

Her project is a mosaic of personal history and artistic exploration. Each pair of shoes Cain photographs is like a piece of her life story woven into the fabric of each image. Whether she's highlighting the vibrant hues of sneakers against an Arizona sunset or capturing the quiet elegance of shoes in unexpected settings, the photographs invite viewers to step into her world, one pair of shoes at a time.

Photo by Amanda Cain. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/160-sec., f/5.6, ISO 100

"The first pair of shoes I photographed in Phoenix, AZ holds a special place in my heart. It was the end of a memorable road trip, and my partner and I decided to extend our stay in Arizona. Usually, when I visit different cities, especially during the season, I make it a point to visit Nike stores or outlets. On this particular occasion, I came across an outlet with incredible deals, and I stumbled upon a pair of shoes that caught my eye.

"These shoes were not only uniquely designed but also happened to be a great deal. The vibrant orange color, inspired by the city's jersey, instantly appealed to me. I had set out to have multiple pairs for the city jersey nights, and this pair seemed like the perfect addition to my collection. Although I'm not typically a basketball shoe wearer due to comfort reasons, these shoes were different. Their uniqueness was what truly mattered to me.

"Before wearing them, I took the time to photograph the shoes. I treated them with the same care and attention as a piece of fruit hanging from one of the orange trees near our Airbnb. The background aesthetic and lighting were essential elements in capturing the essence of the shoes. I used two FJ-80s for the shoot, aiming to make the shoes stand out while maintaining the beauty of the background composition. It was a fun and fulfilling experience to bring my creative vision to life with that first pair of shoes.

"Over the past couple of years, I've faced challenges in finding and completing projects. It's not because I lose interest but rather because life gets busy. That's why I decided to approach this project in phases, allowing the creative flow to happen uninterrupted.

When I finally wore those shoes, it felt like I was wearing a piece of art on my feet that beautiful March day. I was extra cautious about my surroundings, mindful of any creases or smudges that could potentially affect the shoes. As a photographer, it's essential for me to pay attention to these details."

Technical Settings To Express Story

On the tech side, Cain relies on her Sony Alpha gear — a combination of the Sony Alpha 1 and Sony Alpha 7 IV, alongside versatile lenses like the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II and Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II — to bring her creative visions to life. "Sony's cameras allow me to focus on capturing the details and textures of each shoe," she explains. "Sony has the best range and two years into my Sony career I’m really happy with them.”

Cain is newer to the world of lighting for product photography and this project allowed her space to hone those skills. When thinking through what each image will look like, she is guided by the personality and details of each shoe. "I try to balance making the shoe stand out while giving the background its own space," she explains. "It's about finding the right lighting to highlight the shoe's unique features – some of them have really cool honeycomb on the bottom or something like that. I really try to see what stands out about the shoes.”

Photo by Amanda J. Cain. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/60-sec., f/8, ISO 160

"It seems like everyone owns a pair of dunks for various reasons. Their popularity is often talked about, and oddly enough I come across different versions of these shoes every time I browse through the SNKRS app or the Nike App. This particular pair is a unique twist on the classic Dunk. I wanted something different, something that represents the city. During a brief visit to Chicago on a two-game road trip, I managed to find these super clean white and black Dunk twists at the Chicago Nike store. They felt great initially, but the real test was during game time. Comfort is essential for me due to the constant movement and sitting involved in my job.

"To my surprise, these shoes quickly became a hit. I'm not usually the one to wear the latest trendy shoes, but I received some compliments about this pair before the game, and it felt amazing. It made me reflect on the concept of confidence. With my newfound passion for sneakers, I often wonder if these shoes would have meant anything to me when I was younger. Probably not. Having a successful career and the ability to choose what I want is truly empowering. While the positive comments are certainly encouraging, these shoes do not define who I am. I want to give a special shoutout to Nike Chicago for providing such a unique experience. I can't wait to visit again.

"Now, regarding the actual photographs, it was not planned, but I decided to skip my nap that day and use the hotel room as my backdrop to make it more Chicago-centric. I utilized the blue curtain as the background and played with different angles of the shoes on one of the elegant tables in the room. With both of my flashes, I tried to creatively shape the shoe to make it stand out and disguise the fact that it was taken in a hotel room."

The Power Of Personal Projects 

Central to Cain's process is her dedication to storytelling. Each photograph is accompanied by a written narrative, offering insights into the significance of the shoes in her life. "Some shoes remind me of road trips across the country," she explains, "while others mark personal milestones.” Each photograph tells a story, not just about the shoe itself but about the moments and emotions it represents.

For Cain, this project allows her to test out lighting techniques and storytelling methods in a low stakes environment. She can always try something new without the pressure from a client needing the images; if something doesn’t go as planned, she can just try again. Reflecting on this, Cain speaks to the importance of personal projects for professional photographers. “Passion projects allow you the space to be you in a lot of ways. If you find something that sparks your creative vision that you can do outside your professional work, you can really stretch yourself, not a lot of 9 to 5’s give you that opportunity. Projects like that really intrigue me.”

Photo by Amanda J. Cain. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/50-sec., f/5, ISO 400

"In 2021, when these rare shoes were released, I was eager to get my hands on them," Cain says. Although she wasn't a big shoe collector at the time, there was something about these shoes that made them a valuable commodity to her. Chase Jarvis, a popular photographer and multi-talented creatorbased in Seattle, has been one of Cain's biggest inspirations, and she has been a huge fan of his podcast, and for Cain it felt special to own a pair of shoes created by an artist she admired. "I remember wearing them for the first time," Cain says, "and initially finding the low top design uncomfortable. However, back then, I was working at iFit and wearing shorts regularly, so I wasn't particularly fond of low tops. But now, as I consistently dress in gameday attire, I have grown more comfortable with the shoes, and they have become some of my favorites for various reasons. I especially love the outward design with the word 'creator' and the meaningful sayings on the inside, such as 'Creativity is a Habit' and 'Make It Till You Make It.' These words hold great truth and power, and they are especially relevant in the creative field at this point in time."

Cain continues, "Fast forward three years later, and the importance of these sayings has only grown, particularly considering the challenges we faced during and after the Covid pandemic. Wearing these shoes has become a statement for me as an artist. Occasionally, I view wearing a pair of shoes like these as a creative gift from the heavens. Additionally, the fact that K-Swiss, the brand behind these shoes, is not as prominent as Nike, Adidas or New Balance, puts me in the 10% percentile, which I love." For Cain the shoes are not only collectibles but also wearable collectibles. 

When it came to the idea for the photograph showcasing these special shoes, Cain aimed to create an image that portrays the shoes standing out amidst a rocky terrain. "I found a suitable spot on my garage floor," she says, "added a gel to create depth, and strategically positioned the shoes to highlight the meaningful sayings. It took some maneuvering, but I eventually achieved the desired result."

Cain goes on to explain that passion projects are key to keeping your excitement about photography alive. The freedom to fail and work on new styles can be what keeps a photographer engaged in the art form. “I think over time you have to develop your craft. You have to get better at things. And so the other side of this is being able to get better at lighting and products and discovering some things that I never thought I would ever want to shoot.”

Photo by Amanda J. Cain. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/100-sec., f/9, ISO 160

The pair of shoes that started it all for Cain was purchased with a gift card that she had put off using for a long time. "I remember receiving a gift card and finally deciding to use it," she says. "I didn't want just any pair of shoes; I wanted something that stood out. Being heavily into bowling at the time, the colors of the shoes reminded me of bowling shoes. Trying them on for the first time, I thought they were cool. However, back then, I wasn't the type of person who would wear gym shoes with anything."

She continues, "Fast forward to 2023, I pulled them out of the box they had been stored in during multiple moves. I thought, why not show them off this season? When I wore them, people noticed, and it felt like I was wearing a unique vintage pair of shoes that I had personally created. Never mind that they are Reebok's; they're cool and a hit. Moreover, they are surprisingly comfortable and fit perfectly." Although they may be a little beat up, for Cain, nothing can replace a pair of shoes like these. "Every time I wear them I feel like they mark the beginning of my creative journey."

When it came time to make a photograph of the shoes that set her down this path, Cain chose to make a simple, understated image. "To photograph these shoes," she explains, "I wanted to capture a vintage vibe. I took them to the garage and placed them in a spotlight. I wanted the scene to be set for these special shoes that I had created but had neglected to wear. The combination of yellow, red, and blue in the photograph is truly unique and adds to the overall charm."

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Cain plans to expand her project, incorporating older shoes and exploring new locations that hold personal significance. "Every pair reminds me of a different moment or time in my life,” she says. Cain is excited to continue creating these storytelling images without the pressure of time constraints other projects have. 

Beyond photography, Cain is excited about the possibility of integrating video into her project. "I envision creating dynamic videos that bring the shoes to life," she reveals. "Using gimbals and creative angles, I want to explore how video can complement the storytelling aspect of my work."

“My long thought out process of this was potentially put in the book. But it's really just for me. I just want to make something unique and creative. Why not have fun with it?”

Through her lens, Amanda J. Cain invites us to see beyond the shoes—to explore the beauty of everyday objects and the stories they silently tell. In a world where every step can be a story, Cain's shoe photography celebrates the art of sole, capturing moments that resonate with authenticity and emotion.

See more of Amanda’s work on Instagram @amandajcain.