Portraits by Diana Deaver
What’s your birthdate?
June 2, 1980
When did you first pick up a camera? Tell me about that. When did you know you had a talent for photography? Natural talent or learned process?
The first time I remember picking up a camera and taking note was when I was in college and a dear friend had a polaroid camera. It was so fun to capture moments instantly, and then be able to write a little something at the bottom. When we went to study abroad for a semester my friends gave me a polaroid camera as a gift to take with me. I used it throughout my travels. Upon returning to school in the states I acquired a film camera, and when I traveled abroad again, I took it with me. After graduating, I mentioned to my mom that I really enjoyed taking photographs and she found a wonderful community college with a two-year program just up the road from where I lived. I enrolled that fall, and began to really learn the art and practice of photography.
What do you love to photograph?
People experiencing life. Spontaneity.
Who are some of your photographer icons and/or mentors?
Melissa Lyttle, Lisa Krantz, Preston Gannaway, Susan Meiselas, Barbara Davidson, Nick Oza, Eugene Richards, Jerry Uelsmann, Sam Abell, William Albert Allard, Jill Freeman, Cary Hertz, Yousef Karsh, Ross Taylor, Kitty and Craig Fritz…the list could go on and on.
You get to have dinner with 3 other people, alive or deceased. With whom would you dine? What would you ask them?
Dan Hale [my husband], Corinne Hale [our 4 year old daughter] and my Grandad [who is deceased]. Do you believe in a God[s]/Goddesses and/or other life in the universe? This usually leads to many more interesting questions. 🙂
Do you know when you have a spectacular shot, or does that come about in the editing process?
When the moment, light and composition line up perfectly, yes!
What makes you feel connected to your subject?
When they feel comfortable enough to ignore me, and welcome me in to their life as one of their own.
What are your thoughts on editing? Like it or abhor it? Do it yourself?
I am not a fan of spending a lot of time in front of the computer. I shoot in camera with only minor tweaks in the editing post production portion [which still takes longer that I would like with weddings since there are so many images]. I always cull my own images, and usually Dan [my husband, best friend, + co-worker] will take care of the editing.
Is there any genre of photography that you’d like to explore further?
I have explored many genres and cameras throughout my career. I always loved long-term documentary projects and would love to work more on those again; macro photography and I love my Holga (camera).
What’s on your photographic bucket list?
The next adventure, and the people I meet along the way.
What inspires you?
My daughter, my husband, traveling and new places, reading, art [looking at and creating].
How would you handle a difference of opinion with a client?
We do our best to communicate clearly and effectively, but in the event of a misunderstanding it is always our goal to resolve the issue as effectively as possible.
What advice would you give an up and coming photographer?
Look at lots of art.
Learn business.
Take photographs every day.
Are you involved in any kind of continuing education or professional groups?
I am currently not involved in any continuing education, but I am a member of Professional Photographers of America and a couple local photography groups.
What makes you feel loved?
Hugs and laughter.
What are your favorite conditions/lighting/circumstances to shoot?
When I am forced to work within a challenging situation and have time to figure out how to make an interesting and unique image.
What are your social media handles?
Instagram: @ameliaanddan
Website: http://ameliaanddan.com
What makes you feel pretty?
Smiles and laughter.
Hunter McRae Photography
amelia + dan photography, dreamland images inc., Charleston SC