How would you describe yourself in three
sentences?
This question is tough! I would say that I am over-sensitive and do
my best to avoid conflict, but I am fiercely protective of my husband and
children and will not hesitate to stand up for them. I have an intense desire for things to be
neat and orderly (I don't like visual clutter) but my tendency to procrastinate
is at odds with that. I often freeze up
on the spot and get embarrassed very easily (thus the difficulty in bringing my
camera everywhere with me!) but go to great lengths to ensure my daughter grows
up strong and confident as well as kind.
What sparked your passion for Photography?
My dad has always loved photography and we grew up
surrounded by slides and photos. I
always had a camera (film) growing up and still love looking at all those
pictures. My husband gave me my first
dslr (Nikon D60) the Christmas after our daughter was born. I shot in auto (of course, didn't we all
lol?) for a long time. After our son was
born 6 years later, I upgraded to a D7000, and shot with 'no flash' for a while
until shortly before I found CM and started the class we all met in :)
What’s in your camera bag?
My dad loves to give me his old lenses (it would
be super great if he gave me some that were actually good lol!) so I have a
50mm1.8 and a Tokina 28-70mm 2.8 macro that I never use, along with my D60
(which hubby uses now) with the kit lens and a 55-200mm, my D7000 that I need
to sell, and my new-to-me D600 with an 85mm 1.8 and a 35mm 1.8 (dx). I do have an expodisk I've yet to try, and an
SB800 I need to learn as well. I also
have an old (like older than me) Olympus OM-2
which I am slowly learning again.
What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?
If you don't count my old film cameras (can't tell
you what they are lol) it would be my D60 and the 18-55 kit lens.
If you could only use one lens an entire session
which one would you choose and why?
I would have to say my 85mm now that I have the
D600, but before that my 35mm lived on my D7000. I think once I am able to buy the 35mm 1.4
for my new baby I will likely change that to my favourite. I love the ability to get close when I want
to, and to be able to take in more of the scene (especially since we live in a
small house, in a city with a long, dark winter).
What advice would you give your “just starting out
self”?
Just because your family and friends rave over you
pics doesn't mean they are fantastic.
Step back, be objective and start learning. Do not compare your work to the work of others;
you have your own voice, your own style, your own intentions. It isn't a race :) (Wouldn't it be fantabulous if we could take
our own advice?)
Biggest “Wow, what was I thinking?!” edit fiasco?
Hmmm, probably anything I edited in Picasa
lol! I look back now and can pick out
sooo many flaws (focus? well something
is in focus but not my daughter's eyes!
white balance? you mean grass doesn't
glow green naturally?) but I love that I have all those moments.
Current Photog crush?
This is hard to narrow down. I love Sarah Lalone and her way of
shooting. I love that she uses a
documentary style and finds a place for all the little detail shots I've always
taken but had no clue what to do with. I
love the crisp, clean shots that Lisa Tichane takes, and how she captures such
amazing connections between her subjects.
Mickie DeVries, Tricia Ebarvia and several more of the cm pros give good
eye candy too!
If you could photograph absolutely anyone who
would it be dead or alive?
Hands down my Gramma. She died when I was about 12, and it broke my
heart. I would love the chance to take a
picture of her with my kids, and to capture her and remember her for them.
Describe your style in 3 words.
Ugh - I was dreading this question! I have no clue! I want my style to be sharp, bright (not to
be interpreted as over-processed) and emotive but I also would love to put out
some dramatic, gritty, contrasty (is that a word?) b&w's.
Best photography purchase? Worst?
Besides my CM membership, I would say my 35mm 1.8
is my best photography purchase. As for
my worst, I would probably say any preset since I never, ever use them.
Any Photography related Goals for 2013?
Tons! Hire
a mentor, learn my speedlight, work out a more efficient workflow, perfect a
clean edit and be satisfied with it, I'm sure I could go on and on lol.
What’s your most recent “Ah HA!” moment related to
photography?
This is likely contradictory to what you hear all
the time, but gear matters. I struggled
and struggled with my 85 and low light with my D7000, and noticed a huge
difference with the D600. Besides that,
the BDBCE course really brought a lot of concepts home for me (white balance,
exposure, etc|).
Biggest Photography related insecurity?
Another question that is so hard to answer. I guess that my work will always be just ok,
or snapshots instead of 'photographs.'
What kind of Camera bag do you rock?
Sadly, none!
Occasionally I will toss it in the diaper bag.
What do you think your next photography related
investment will be?
That is a toss up between a mentorship, a 35mm 1.4
and Sarah Lalone's class. It will come
down to timing and money :)
If you had to recommend ONE thing that a
photographer needs, what would that be?
Patience? I
know for myself I am now finding it so hard to balance my love for other
photographers' work, and being patient about my own growth. I want to be good NOW and have these skills
down pat NOW, and it's so hard to wait.
What would you say your biggest muse is?
That is almost as difficult to answer as the
question about favourite photographer. I
am inspired by so many people - a lot of the work in our group is inspiring,
and so many of the shots I see on CM. If
I had to choose one right now I would pick Sarah Lalone, but if you asked me
tomorrow I would likely say someone else :)
Are you in or plan to be in business?
Definitely not in business now, and had no
intention of going into business but am now reconsidering.
Favorite Color:
Aqua blue
Favorite food or recent yummy recipe? (Link?)
I love love love food and could never choose 1
favourite but I love sushi, greasy burgers and onion rings, a good lasagna and
I can always eat a big bowl of pasta with homemade sauce. I make a killer prime
rib and yorkshire pudding too :)
A couple
recipes that have been hits with me are:
Biggest guilty pleasure:
Hmmm, sneaking away with a good book, or more
likely the time I spend online.
Pet Peeve:
Arrogance (which leads to selfishness, rudeness,
etc)
Current favorite song?
Good to You by Marianas
Trench (but it is a few years old - too much kid music going on in
my car!)
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher, and then a librarian
One thing no one knows about you is:
I never, ever thought I'd breastfeed after my son
turned 1, but here we are and he will be 2 in 2 months and he still gets his
'bubbies' before bed lol.
Pc or Mac:
PC
Lightroom Or Photoshop:
Lightroom although I do have PSE
If you
could travel anywhere it would be:
Europe - Italy first, but also Ireland, Greece,
Scotland
Favorite photo ever taken
Raw or Jpeg:
Raw
Favorite Quote:
"At the center of your being you have the
answer; you know who you are and you know what you want." Lao Tzu (This is something I need to remember more
often.)
Most valued material possession:
My photos.
Coffee or Tea:
Coffee!
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it
be?
One of the Transformers, because my kids would
lose their minds!
***And because I LOVE Inside The Actor’s Studio:
What is your favorite word? Mommy (my heart still melts when my
kids say it - unless they are whining!)
What is your least favorite word? Vomit - just the
word makes me gag
What turns you on? Scents - clean, soapy scents.
What turns you off? long nails on men
What sound do you love? The silence at the end of
the day, my children laughing, my husband saying 'I love you'
What sound do you hate? Whining!
What is your favorite curse word?
I don't really have a favourite curse word and I
try really hard to keep my language clean around the kids, but if I am really
angry and they are not around it would be the 'F' word.
What profession other than yours (and
photographer) would you like to attempt?
Librarian
What profession would you not like to do?
Garbage man, I have a super sensitive nose
and am terrified of bugs so I wouldn't make it one day.
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God
say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Hmmm, maybe 'You are a good mom and wife, and I'm proud
of you'
Thanks, Jana. you rock.
Thanks, Jana. you rock.
I heart you Jana!! and you linked to the pioneer woman? Swoon...
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