Now, sit back, grab a cup of Joe & enjoy my very first interview.
LDS: How did you start in the photography industry?
Jana: I became interested in photography in high school when I was the assistant photographer for the school newspaper. We had our own dark room and we got to process our own film and print our own photos. It was a lot of fun. It's been a hobby ever since but I became interested in doing portrait photography after my girls were born and I started taking their pictures.
LDS: What kind of classes did you take?
Jana: I haven't taken any classes. I did my senior project in high school on photography and had a teacher who was my mentor for the project. He was a photographer and took me out on photo walks to practice and teach me the basics and general rules of photography. The rest is pretty much self taught from talking to other photographers and reading books and articles... and hands on learning experience, of course.
LDS: Would you say you've always had an eye for taking pictures?
Jana: To a point, yes. I remember my project mentor looking through some photos I took on a vacation and he kept pointing out how well I used a lot of the photography rules in my photos. At the time, I had no idea what he was talking about but now that I have learned what they are, I can consciously use them in my work and get great composition almost every time.
LDS: What's the one mistake that amateur photographers make that gets under your skin?
Jana: I really can't think of any one thing in particular... to each their own. I guess maybe not doing anything to try and improve their work. Nobody is a perfect photographer... even the pros can still learn a thing or two. If they're just starting out, there is SO much to learn in order to really be able to produce great pictures and develop your own style. The "photographers" that start out thinking their work is perfect right from the beginning and don't think they have to do anything to advance their knowledge, are usually the ones that don't really move forward in their career.
LDS: You do many kinds of genres. What's your favorite?
Jana: I absolutely LOVE doing maternity photos. I think pregnancy is an incredibly beautiful thing and I love capturing the moments towards the end when the mother has already developed that bond with her unborn child.
LDS: Do you have a favorite shoot & if so, what made it your favorite?
Jana: The one birth shoot that I have done is, by far, my most favorite. To be invited into such an intimate and personal moment in someone's life, was such an honor and the whole experience was so emotional and beautiful, I can't even put it into words. I would love to do another shoot like that again. It was amazing.
LDS: Have you ever had any moments of sheer comedy on any of your shoots?
Jana: Nothing major yet... at least nothing that really sticks out in my mind. I'm a very lighthearted person as it is thought, so my clients and I are always laughing and having fun during our shoots.
LDS: What is your dream place/subject/theme to shoot?
Jana: My dream place would have to be my own studio somewhere. I dream of the day that I am successful enough in this business that I can afford my own studio and have it set up however I want it. That would be perfect. If I could get a consistent "side" gig as a birth photographer... maybe have my ad included in the packets that the hospitals hand out to their maternity patients, that would be wonderful too. Someday. =)
LDS: Any genre that you won't do? Why?
Jana: I had someone call me once asking if I would do nude portraits of her and her "girlfriend" to give as a gift to her husband. She said that she wanted the photos to contain "interaction" be tween her and her friend. Basically what she was asking for was for me to shoot porn for her husband. I said no. Not that I was judging her... like I said, to each their own, but I personally wouldn't be comfortable being in the middle of that type of situation. I try to keep my work classy and subtle.
LDS: Any thing else you'd like to add?
Jana: I am always open to suggestions (keeping the above mentioned exception in mind, haha) and love to expand my portfolio. I have my specialties but I won't limit myself to any one subject and love to try out new ideas. Some of the best photo shoots are the ones that are just random ideas.
If you're interested in booking any future photoshoots and you are in the Inland Empire, please feel free to contact Jana via email @ divinemomentsbyjana@yahoo.com She's featuring a special: 10% off any regular priced shoot for 1st time clients and 20% off any regularly priced shoot when you refer a friend who purchases a session. And here's a few samples of her photography.
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