Please welcome Leah Zawadzki of Lilyblue, an Orange County photographer whose eye for capturing children in the moment, is something to be cherished. She is an amazing artist, whose work I have long since admired – and I am honored to share our interview with you all.
TCM: You have children, correct? How do they inspire you?
LZ: How do they not? They are so full of life, funny, sweet, overbearing, crazy, emotional. I want to capture every little bit of it. They grow so fast and this time is so fleeting. I want to bottle it up and keep it forever. I think taking photos is my best bet :)
TCM: Do you have any advice for moms who are looking to get better images of their children?
LZ: Take photos. Try new things. Be inspired. Ask questions….and just not to others but to yourself. If you take a great photograph… ask yourself… what was the light like? What setting was it shot at? How does the shot make me feel? If you see a photo by another photographer that you love… ask the same questions. And as for the children… I always remember something I learned at a CJ Workshop: rewards and bribes don’t work. The reward must be the session or the time spent with child and camera. If it isn’t going like that then put the camera down and play.
TCM: What are some creative things you do with the photos of your children?
LZ: Most of the time I must regret – the creativity is in the photo. I have some printed and a few canvases. I also do a yearbook every year with my favorite shots of the kids.
TCM: How do you decide between leaving an image in color or black & white?
LZ: This one is very hard to answer, because there is no real answer. For the most part I just know when a photo should be black and white vs color. For a photo I see in black and white I use one of my black and white presets and then I know for sure.
TCM: If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing?
LZ: Hmm… probably being a mom… for right now anyway. Before I started in photography I worked in commercial interior design. I would have gone back to that someday when my kids are grown… but now I think I will stick with photography :)
TCM: How did you get into photography, and when did you realize it was something you’d like to pursue as a career?
LZ: When my twins were one (they are now four). I picked up the camera again (I did love it when I was younger but never really learned all the technical stuff) and just started shooting. With the combination of digital photography (giving me the ability and teach myself) and the internet (the ability to look at photography and be inspired) it was all over. Plus I was given some really great subject matter (my kids).
A few more “technical questions”…
TCM: How long have you been a professional photographer?
LZ: about two years +/-
TCM: What do you shoot with?
LZ:I have the Nikon d700 and I adore it.
TCM: Do you prefer a prime lens or zoom?
LZ: 85mm 1.4 prime most of the time. I also love the 24-70mm 2.8.
TCM: You have such a fabulous and unique style, how did you come to find it?
LZ: Thank you so much! Many times I wonder about this myself :) I know I didn’t really go looking for it… at least I didn’t think I was looking. But as I think back now I know I was searching (and still am) for something – I am just not sure what yet. I took a lot of photographs. I spent a ton of time in Photoshop. It just evolved.
TCM: What is it about photographing children that you love so much?
LZ: Childhood is so beautiful. Truly a beautiful thing. Kids can be so real and so free. I love to capture their spirit – and usually they are free enough to let me.
TCM: What do you struggle with the most, as a photographer?
LZ: Fear. Fear that I am not going to get the shots. Fear that I am going to lose my gift or the passion I have for it. When I started taking photographs – back when my twins were babies – I didn’t realize what was ahead in photography for me. I just knew I loved it; I loved growing and learning more about my self. I never want to stop learning or growing…
TMC: Would you mind sharing a few images of your own that make your heart flutter and tell us why you love them so?
It doesn’t take much for a child to do something I adore. That belly and his sister in the background, his underwear coming up above his jeans.
I love the sense of wonder in this shot. And the sense of surprise I had when I edited it!! I was just playing with getting flare not really paying attention to the kids. That is what I love about shooting children–they can just do their thing and it’s wonderful :)
This one is of my daughter in the mountains where I grew up. I love the way she is walking with such confidence and commitment. I hope she always has that.
If you aren’t familiar with Leah’s work you will be absolutely in awe. Her website is full of images that scream childhood – you must head on over.
For those of you looking to add that special touch to your images, her Actions & Presets are drool-worthy. I have them myself and was in love the moment I first used them…
Leah, it was a pleasure getting to know you through the interview. Thank you for sharing with us today.
Today’s giveaway comes from one of my favorite Etsy gals around, Tiffany of Chicky*Bird. You may remember her and her awesome camera straps from our Big Day of Giveaways recently. She’s offered one of her amazing Camera Wristlets for the series – how fabulous is she? Perfect for a Point & Shoot or DSLR!
According to Tiffany… This camera wristlet is a wonderful burst of color and style for your camera. Made of heavyweight strong, yet soft, 100% cotton webbing and adorned with nickel key fob hardware at the end. A swivel snap hook tops it off for quick and easy on and off. 6″ long.
I’m sure you are familiar with what to do, but just in case…
- All you have to do to enter is leave a comment. I know you’d like another way to win, so go ahead and spread the word! Twitter, Facebook, Blog, subscribe, or become a FB Fan – whatever tickles your fancy. If you already are a fan or subscribe, just leave another comment telling me so! The catch is you must come back and leave a separate comment linking up to your shout out, or letting me know that you subscribe or are a FB ‘fan’.If you don’t leave additional comments it won’t count (easier for me this way, I’m not gonna sugar coat it).
- The other catch is, this giveaway ENDS this evening at 10pm PST. I know it’s a short one, but I forewarned you that the giveaways were unique during the series. I’ll get ahold of the winner bright and early tomorrow morning, no waiting it out for a week to find out. Pretty great isn’t it?
Good luck!
