I've always been one of those difficult to categorize types of people, mostly because I deplore categories! I prefer, instead, to celebrate that which makes each of us unique.
The same is true of my photography. I want to capture images that are fresh, vibrant, and, well, eclectic.
Eclectic is a word I've heard used a lot to describe me. I think it is shorthand for woman with many passions and pursuits. This is my truth.
I'm a pediatrician/adolescent medicine specialist who gave up the publish or perish world of academic medicine for a more manageable lifestyle as a medical director. This transition, in turn, allowed my dear husband and kidlet to see me more often, as well as enabled me to start this exciting new business.
The kidlet, also known as the most photogenic child on the planet (at least to her mom), is another large reason for my return to photography. I spent decades using various point and shoot cameras, having all but forgotten all the basics of the exposure triangle and how to use an SLR camera without auto settings. (My poor old Nikon EM still sits lonely on a shelf in my back bedroom, longing for the day that film makes a comeback.) But my kidlet, who has the face of an angel and the speed of a possessed rabbit, proved too great a match for my most recent point and shoot. Indoors, by the time the shutter tripped, she had moved halfway across the room. The LCD display would show a blur of brown hair. There are months in her first two years where the only pictures I have of her are either her sleeping or trapped in her high chair. I had to up my game.
But what camera to buy? All I knew back then was that my ancient film camera was a Nikon, so I should probably get a Nikon. Nikon and Canon are like rival families, sort of like the Capulets and the Montagues without the death and tragedy, you know...but once you get into one of the families, you never get out. So I stayed with Nikon. Yet model numbers, digital capabilities...heck, the last time I used an SLR it had FILM in it! What did I know now, almost 25 years later?
So I did tons of research, I mean, watched commercials and saw that hottie Ashton Kutcher hawking a Nikon D60 as a great entry-level camera. What else did I need to know? It went on my Christmas list.
It took me a few months and a lot of courage to turn the dial from Auto. I will not show you any of my early non-Auto photos (hey, why does this noontime winter snow scene look like a photo from a coal mine?). Yet being the obsessive-compulsive, extreme type-A person that I am, I was determined to LEARN how to work my camera. Within 6 months, and nearly as many courses, I had outgrown the Ashton-recommended D60 and had moved up to the full frame prosumer (love that word!) Nikon D700 that was immediately christened, The Precious (no, Golum, this is my Precious).
I continued to learn, to practice, and to push myself in order to develop skills that allowed me to be able to photograph more than my comely daughter. I don't think that I've learned all there is to learn, but that is the beauty of the journey, this eclectic journey. The journey is more important here than the destination. And I am far enough along the path that I can provide you with evocative and eclectic captures that you will treasure for years to come.
What else can I tell you about my life's eclectic journey? Other important facets of my journey include blogging, knitting, cooking, jogging very, very, very slowly (sort of like walking with a teensy bit more oomph), deep thinking, navel gazing, geriatric parenting, anti-princess crusading, cat-loving and shoe whoredom. Life is very, very good.
Eclectic Journey Photography offers lifestyle and studio portraiture for newborns, infants, children/teens and families.
Let me document your life's journey...
Kelsey Anderson - These are wonderful images!
Liana - Thanks, Kelsey! And thanks for visiting.
Shannon Flores - Great captures! The little boy with the scar seems angry 🙁
Liana - I think he was adopting a hard/gangsta pose because he certainly was clamoring to be in the picture. 🙂
Kelly Q - They are so sweet!
Liana - They were great kids, but such poverty. It just broke my heart. I gave the girl in most of the photos 50R and she bought treats for all the kids to share.
Melissa M. - I love that they wanted to see the shots after posing! Great job!
Liana - It was such a special treat for them! You should have seen the horde of kids who swarmed me in Cape Town! So many kept jumping into the shots that many have a lot of OOF kids in the foreground.
Jenn Campbell - These are amazing. Such great expressions and emotion! It must have been an amazing trip.
Liana - Thank you! It was indeed a great trip. I cannot wait to return.
Jenn D, - These are beautiful. It is amazing how much a photograph can speak, even though there aren’t any words. I bet it was an amazing trip.
Angela - These are amazing captures. You can just see the emotion and personality in each of them.
Christy F - This post is so moving, and great images to boot!
sqpeggy - I love these photos! So expressive- those eyes in the last one are totally hypnotizing. And in the second one down, the look on that boy’s face on the far right is great– actually the evolution of his expressions is also interesting: first he’s in the background, then he’s closer but not sure about that punchy kid, then he decides to stay but he keeps his guard up. It tells a story.
Crystal - Awesome!!
Melissa K - Gorgeous captures, and gorgeous children!
Annie Pennington - What an amazing opoortunity to travel and get to photograph these wonderful children. Beautiful work!!
Mandy - I love these. Truly tells a story. Love!
monica - These are such moving shots. The kids all have such soulful eyes!!
JennyO - I love these images. As Monica said above me, they are very moving.
Becca - I adore every single one of these pictures! What beautiful shots and beautiful kids 🙂 I love your site too!
Allison - Oh they are beautiful, thanks for sharing!
Tammy - Oh, these are just amazing. I love the depth the images have, excellent work!
Brun - I am from South Africa! (Home language Afrikaans) These are really good, the little bit of a chocolate colour works really well with these photos, almost a journalistic feel.
Hilary - What an incredible journey!!! Stunning images!
Pamela Topping - Beautiful photos! I’ve always wanted to visit South Africa.
Jen P. - Fantastic captures! Amazing work!
Kimberlee - These are wonderful!
tanja - great images! yet so sad and disturbing! I think we in the US (and any other western country) forget all to quick how many children are in need and poverty
Stacey M - This sounds like it was an amazing experience for you. To see and meet resilient children of the world. Their faces are just beautiful.
Jennifer Lauren - Amazing captures and opportunity to be surrounded by such sweethearts, really love the 4th one!
Neeroc - They are so beautiful! Wonderful eye Liana.
shannon - these are really wonderful!