Inspired, A Very Special Project | The Red Balloon Photography

So I generally post these interviews once or twice a week but our recent trip back to the East Coast put me a little behind so there will be more of these interviews then I generally do in a week and that is awesome because you are going to be exposed to a lot of awesomeness this week! There are SO many amazing photographers in this industry and we have barely scratched the surface but with only so many weeks in the year I am jam packing as many as I can possibly blog into 2012! I am beyond excited to show of the amazing photographer I am featuring today!

Valeria of The Red Balloon Photography is the queen of whimsy. Her unique and beautiful vintage processing and the way she captures the true essence of childhood is astounding and special. I have gotten to know her through our Letters to Our Daughters project and I am always completely awed and amazed at the love that just pours on through in her posts to her two special daughters. Not only is she talented but she has a heart of gold. I am so honored to show her off here.

You can find Val’s Blog HERE,and her Facebook page HERE.

Hi Sweet Val!

Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

I’m originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina and live in Seattle with my little family of 4. I am very passionate about my family, my friends, photography, color & light. Some of my favorite things are; aking pictures, going out to dinner with my friends, cuddling in bed with my babies, go to flea markets and antique shops, sleeping in, watching movies in bed with my husband, road tripping, dancing with my little girls.

What sparked your passion for Photography?

I was about to start going to school for a Art Direction/Advertising and I though it would be cool to take a short photography class as a good compliment to what I had in mind was my passion. then I fell madly in love with photography.

Whats in your camera bag?

Nikon D700, 50 1.4G, 180 2.8, and a Lensbaby Composer Pro & Edge 80 attachment.

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

Nikon F601 (film) and my Nikon D90 digital.

If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

I’d have to say my 50mm just cause it’s such a fast, sharp and awesome lens. I love it! And I don’t own much more than that ;). I do rent lenses quite often cause I’m so lucky to live 15 minutes from an awesome photography rental shop so I have tried many awesome lenses that am now in love with. I think that if I owned a 45mm tilt shift it would barely leave my camera and I also adore the 35 1.4g as well as the 24mm 1.4g. The 85mm is pretty awesome too.

What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

I am so not good at business so I shouldn’t give any advice, I’m happy to take some, though 😉 But as far as the art of photography goes I’d say be yourself and shoot what makes your heart sing cause that’s what’s going to separate you from the rest and ultimately make you enjoy your job and continue being in love with photography.

What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

Sally Mann. Her work just blew my mind and inspired to shoot childhood. I first learned about her in my favorite photography class which was History of Photography. That class was so mind blowing.

What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

I love photographing my daughters. All the time. I’m loving my Iphone camera so much as well.

If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

My parents back in the 50’s when they were kids. That’s definitely a dream of mine.

Describe your style in 3 words.

Timeless, Real, Nostalgic

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

Hmmm… I wouldn’t say it’s actually embarrassing but it often happens to me that when I’m shooting children and I’m talking to them they look at me funny cause I pronounce some words differently (since I’m from Argentina and English is not my first language). Sometimes I have to say things a few times until they understand what I’m saying. A girl once say to me, “I’ve never heard that word before”. I was asking her to show me her twirls, lol.

Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

Finding the right balance between family and work.

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

Right before sunset.

If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

I’ve always wanted to be able to sew and design clothes. I’m so passionate about clothes and I have all these ideas of things I’d love to make but I just don’t know how to. I have a couple of friends who are amazing and both willing to teach me. I just have to make the time.

Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

Yes, I went to photography school in Argentina where I’ve learned how to shoot and develop film. I stopped shooting for a long time and when I got back and started shooting digital I took a couple of great workshops.

What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

I just talk with them and I go with the flow. If I’m working with kids I ask them questions and they usually ask me stuff as well. I play, sing, dance and laugh. If they are a couple or a family I asked about how they met, their love story, etc., etc. I like talking and getting to know people in general so I really enjoy the interaction. I don’t prepare or think about what I;m going to ask or say though. I just say what I feel in the moment

What are your photography related goals for 2012?

Getting more organized, get my website up (as I have been procrastinating for over a year), continue growing and exploring and having fun.

How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?

I shoot a lot for myself. I am a part of a few amazing inspiring personal projects that I absolutely love. I feel that I have grown so much with each of these projects and they keep me constantly exploring and stepping out of my comfort zone, which is what usually bring out new inspiration.

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

I’m terrified of missing “the moment” while shooting weddings. That’s why I don’t shoot many. I can also become more reserved when around a lot of people so having to shoot & “manage” a lot of people during a wedding scares the heck out of me.

 

Digital or Prints?

Both

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

I don’t really do anything specifically. I just shoot what I like and do what works for me.

What do you think your next photography related investment will be?

Hopefully I can attend the workshop Art & the Heart Taught by Dan O’Day and Samm Blake. I would also LOVE to treat myself with a Nikkor 45mm 2.8 tilt shift lens.

If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?

A 50mm 1.4 lens if they can. It’s a relatively cheap lens and it’s just so amazing! Hair ties are a must have if we are talking non gear related. My hair get’s all crazy so I keep a lot of ties in one of the pockets.

What would you say your biggest muse is?

My little girls, light & color in that order.

Fun stuff:

Favorite Color: Aqua
Favorite Season: All 4! I’ve always lived in places where the 4 seasons are very different from one another and I just love experiencing all 4 of them. I wouldn’t mind a longer summer here in Seattle, though.
Biggest Guilty Pleasure: There’s a cupcake that looks like a flower that they sell at a local grocery store and it’s made out of not exactly the most heathy ingredients but I just really REALLY like it. I haven’t had it in a while but I can’t say that I haven’t thought about it often.
Pet Peeve: Loud eaters. It drives me crazy and grosses me out.
Favorite Pandora Station: She & Him / City of Colour / Nick Drake
Studio or On location: Location
What did you want to be when you grew up? An actress
Pc or Mac: Mac
Lightroom Or Photoshop: ACR & Photoshop and
Film or Digital: Both
Props or No Props: Only if it meant something to the person who has it, like a favorite baby doll or toy, etc. Not sure if that would be called a prop, though.
If you could travel anywhere it would be: I’d love to go to Australia, Japan, Vietnam. A girl can dream…
Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Half Full for the most part.
Favorite photo ever taken: This one of my daughter swinging. When I look at it it brings me back to my childhood and I can also hear her laugh of excitement for swinging so high.

Raw or Jpeg: Raw
Favorite Music to Edit to: City of colour
Favorite Quote: Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind (Dr. Seuss)
Most valued material possession: Photos of my daughters and from when I was little, the clothes that my Mom has saved from when I was a little girl and that my girls are now wearing, a ring that used to be my great grandma’s, then my Moms and now mine. She gave it to me when my first daughter was born.
Processing Style: Filmy, Timeless.
Coffee or Tea: Coffee. Followed closely by Green tea.
If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? Audrey Tautou and Audrey Hepburn (If she was alive).
What kind of Camera bag do you rock? Kelly Moore 2 Sues in Walnut and I love it!!!