Tell us a bit about your approach to the work you do, your time in the business and a few personal facts about you.
In the photography world, I’m definitely a newbie. I decided to get serious about learning my camera about a year and a half ago. I started with a Nikon D3100 and a nifty 50. I fell in love! I’d spend hours online learning everything I could about composition and light and editing. Then I’d drag my children outside and take photos of them until they were crying. I really did! About 6 months in, I had the opportunity to buy a used Nikon D700 from a friend of a friend. About three months later, I bought a used 35mm Sigma Art off of Ebay from Latvia! What could possibly go wrong?! Lol! Needless to say, I’ve done everything on a shoe-string budget. I am thankful for my equipment and I love how it helps me fulfill my vision, but it does not define me as an artist. Some of my favorite images were taken with that entry level camera and the nifty 50. You don’t have to have everything “just so” to create art that you love.
I approach my work with these three things in mind: Emotion, Texture, Movement. If I can create an image with all three of those things, I always love it. Because that is life, right? This life is moving and textured and emotional and beautiful! I want people to feel the life in my images. I want my images to feel like a deep breath in and a deep breath out.
More importantly though, I have this belief that if I maintain my love and joy for what I’m doing, it translates. Photography is therapy for me. It challenges me and pushes me and makes me happy. The fulfillment I get from doing it comes first. If I start burning out, I pull back and immerse myself in personal work until I love it again. Before I discovered photography and what it means to me, I didn’t have a creative outlet and I was frustrated a lot. When money starts to become the main focus, I remind myself that having photography in my life is a gift that is more precious than money could ever be. I do it for the love of it.
What about this session was most memorable?
We decided to take an impromptu trip to Monterey. We were all so happy and excited and tired of being pent up in the car. We stopped at the beach and we all felt the freedom. 🙂
Were there any hurdles?
Side light. The sun was setting to the side of us. I was nervous at first and thought that it might be a bust. Lol. I played with the settings on my camera and experimented with angling my camera to control the light. I ended up loving it. The side light created a dreamy depth. Sometimes you just never know!
Your best photographer/session advice?
My sessions can be chaos. I go with my gut. I don’t let structure get in the way of creativity, for better or for worse! If I have an idea, I go with it and I let it take me. Make room for that kind of spontaneity. You’ll find that’s where your best work happens.
What gear was used to achieve these?
Nikon D700 and 35mm Sigma Art.
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
I’m a photographer located in Northern California. I put my whole heart and soul into capturing the beauty of people as they really are. I feel a strong connection to nature. My main goal with my art is to convey the essence of the human spirit against the backdrop of this beautiful earth. My children are my preferred muses.
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