Peter Silvia
Creative Director/Visual Storyteller
Funny how you can spend years of your life immersed in an occupation before you realize what you've really been doing all along.
I was born and raised in Newport, RI. A self-taught photographer, designer, and writer, I learned my craft in the early '80s as an apprentice to commercial photographers in New York City. I returned to Newport in 1986 to work with agencies and designers in Providence and Boston, collaborating on projects for corporations, healthcare providers, schools, and universities. Later, from 2004- 2020, I was a sought-after, high-end wedding photographer in Newport.
But it wasn't until recently that I discovered who I've been all this time: a teller of stories.
Why I Never Say, "Smile!"
From annual reports to admissions brochures to wedding albums, every human situation can be captured visually. Today, I see pictures of stories everywhere in everyday life. The challenge is capturing them in a way that authentically expresses the story you're trying to tell.
The stories I've created throughout my career are based on a singular approach: I start with the why behind every shoot. What's the purpose of each image? What's the message we want to convey? Photographic design is about more than the mechanics of taking a picture; it's about infusing an emotional connection into a visual story. The key is understanding what's really going on and then setting the stage to elicit an authentic moment.
I launched Broad Arrow Creative to help brands and organizations do a better job of telling stories that truly connect with their target audience. Our work is based on visual storytelling, the art of using images and design to provoke an emotional response.
As the creative director, I work to understand the unique personality and story behind every brand, and then turn those concepts into a visual experience. In truth, I most enjoy working with people in real-life environments. By observing and embracing the relationship between people and their surroundings, we can create purposeful moments in everyday situations.
In the end, we share stories because we want others to know our experiences; it's how we connect and converse in a meaningful way.
And me? I love telling stories.
As the creative director, I become your strategic partner in discovering your authentic brand story.
As a visual storyteller, my job is to arouse an emotion in the eye and mind of your audience.
