Life and Work with Erin Walter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Walter.

Erin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started with a single black and white picture. It was of a little girl in a hood riding in a wagon looking off into the distance in front of her. It hung in my mom’s darkroom in our basement. I always wanted to go in there and poke around and stare at that picture. To me, that simple picture that had no color held such a big story. Who was that girl? Where was she going? What was her life like? Of course, my mother had all the answers to these questions; it was my cousin, they were heading for a walk and my mom decided to take it for her class assignment. But even knowing the answers to these questions didn’t stop me from asking them every time I saw it and imagining a grand story for that girl. I wanted to take pictures and tell stories that resonated with people like that. To make them start asking questions and to broaden their horizons even a little. That single picture sent me down my path. I decided that I wanted to be a journalist. I would get to take the pictures and tell the stories. It was so exciting to me that I would be able to tell a new story every single day. I went to school for broadcast reporting but it eventually ran me a little thin. I felt like I wasn’t telling the stories that I wanted to.

I had originally started SunnySideUp as a blog that would tell the brighter side of the news. Maybe some stories that you hadn’t heard during the day. Eventually, it evolved into being more photojournalism than anything and I remembered what I truly loved, getting to tell someone’s story by showing people what they were actually like in the little moments. Which was why I started SunnySideUpPhotography. The pictures I take now still hold the photojournalism feel. I like to capture the laughs and the smiles in between that tell the story better than anything else can.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
So, quick side story, when I first moved to Phoenix, my car was stolen. I actually found it on my own weeks later on my way to a photoshoot by random chance. That’s how life is. It is definitely not a smooth road. But I think my biggest challenge has been confidence. Finding confidence in myself and in my art has not been an easy road. At times my lack of confidence seemed like this insurmountable block that was just laughing at me in the middle of my path. For a time, I was completely stuck. I had no idea how to overcome it. Until one day I took a chance and actually tagged one of my favorite photographers in my pictures. He ended up reposting it. I don’t think I have ever been happier than by that one simple gesture. I cried out of happiness for hours that someone I looked up to thought I had worth when had fallen into this seemingly bottomless pit. I know that when you first start out, the road ahead may look really long. So, find somebody to look up to, take chances even when you don’t want to, look to the people around you to find inspiration, sometimes they are the ones who will give you that push in your back to just go for it. There’s going to be times where things don’t go the way you want them to. Don’t be afraid to grab a pint of ice cream if you need to. But then sit down, analyze what you think went wrong, what you think went right and ask yourself, “what can I do next time?” Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I ask for help all. the. time. It helps me grow as a person and I find reassurance that people often think about what I should do in a situation is the same solution that I had come up with.

Please tell us about SunnySideUp Photography.
I would say I specialize in lifestyle photography. My background in reporting gives me a special chance to tell a story about the subject that I’m photographing. I think that sets me apart from others. I like to have fun on my shoots. I will do just about anything to make you feel comfortable and make you laugh. I have puns for days. Bad dad jokes, I have an arsenal.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
So I am obsessed with anything having to do with the universe. Star Talk with Neil Degrasse Tyson is my jam. Listening to anything to do with the universe has always inspired me to get outside and explore my little piece of the universe and ask questions about it. I also have an app right now called Hoopla where if you have a library card you can listen to audiobooks for free. I love listening to them when I’m editing, when I’m at my day job, pretty much anywhere.

Contact Info:

• Website: sunnysideupphotography.com
• Phone: 815-978-9401
• Email: info@sunnysideupphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnysideupphotography/

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