Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Davis.
Heather, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My photography journey began 20 years ago when I joined the Air Force. I started taking photos to capture my travels to places like Thailand, Europe, Kuwait, Korea, Japan and Guam. I used disposable film cameras until I got my first digital camera in 2003 while stationed in Korea. It was just a simple point and shoot Canon, but it helped me establish a greater desire to up my photography game. In 2005 I purchased my first DSLR. It was another Canon, but it came with kit lenses that allowed me a greater diversity in exploring how to capture the world around me. I loved scenery photography and macro, especially of flowers. I had no interest in photographing people until I had my son in 2010. When my son was born my hobby morphed into a passion for portrait photography.
When my son was a few months old I took a local portrait photography workshop so I could learn more about photographing people. It sparked a fire in me that continues to grow. For the first couple of years I photographed anyone who would let me. In 2012 I was still in the Air National Guard and had the opportunity to attend Public Affairs and Photojournalism school. I spent three months at school learning about journalism and photography. I returned with a greater knowledge about the technical and emotional aspects of photography. Since starting portrait photography in 2010 I have learned an incredible amount. My knowledge, passion and joy for photography grows every day.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My photography is my art. It’s not a snapshot. It’s not something that can be created with a phone and good filter. Each of my images is hand edited to capture the feel of the session, the location and my clients. Each session is unique. Each client is unique. I want that visually felt in the final product. My goal is to capture not only my clients, but their joy, their fun, their personality, and how that mixes with the environment they have chosen for their session. I want my clients to have good memories of their session so the next time they have photos, they look forward to it. Sessions can be stressful, especially with young children. I want to alleviate some of that stress for my clients to make their experience easy and fun. The less stressed they are the more I am able to capture the fun, laughter, joy and romance of their interactions and share those emotions with whoever sees the images.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
My biggest lesson was learning to collaborate, communicate and connect. I am an introvert and for a long time avoided putting myself ‘out there’. I have learned photography is not a business that can be done without that connection. Meet other photographers. Reach out to local businesses. Join groups to meet new people. Above all, share yourself. Don’t try to fit your passion into a mold or an ideal. Do what YOU love to do, not what you think you should do or what everyone else is doing. Allow others to inspire you, not dictate what your art should look or feel like.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work can be viewed on my website, Instagram and Facebook. I would love to collaborate with others who would share my work in a physical space, and hope to make that happen eventually. I have collaborated with local businesses who have shared my work on their digitally platforms, however my ultimate goal is to have photos hanging on walls around town. My work can be supported by sharing it with others. I love to photography most anything from families to fashion, products to pageant portraits.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.belleviephoto.com
- Phone: 520-428-4879
- Email: labellefleur13@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/belleviephoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/belleviephotoaz
Image Credit:
Belle Vie Photography
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