The goal of The Upper Hand was to blend real-world photography with the graphic elements of traditional playing cards in order to have self-promotional material in the form of mailers and leave-behinds. This approach worked to tell a story of relationships, and navigating the hardships of maintaining trust, and coming to a resolution through mediation.

A series of four separate portraits are then overlaid with art based on research of the history of playing cards through history, while keeping an eye towards a modern look and design.

As a reaction, my instructor, Craig Bromley said the work was some of the most creative he had worked with at Portfolio Center. I believe the series stands well as a story, as well as on their own as portraits.