Inspired, A Very Special Project | Adriana Varela Photography

Adriana of Adriana Varela Photography is honestly one of my biggest photography crushes. She really marries whimsy into her style of photography so very beautifully, but even more so she does it with her little men especially and I just can’t say enough about how much I adore that. Being a mom of both boys and girls I can tell you personally, it is so much easier to style girls. To capture her sons in the way she does, and to really see the love behind that lens is incredible. She really has such a magical quality to her imagery and I am just smitten with her work! Even more so she makes it seem so effortless. There is a marriage between reality and an almost dream state in her body of work and it speaks to the very core of her followers. She is a true class act and a talented one to boot.

You can find her on Facebook HERE and her Flickr HERE. You can also find her on Pinterest HERE.

Hello There, Adriana!

Three sentences to describe yourself?

I wish I could describe Superwoman and call it good but I’m far from it. I am the small town girl who grew up as a tomboy and doesn’t know the difference between a Coach purse vs. Vera Lang. I am strong and flawed, serious and compassionate, adventurous and goofy and learning to live one day at a time.

Adriana was kind enough to share one of her earlier images circa 2009.

What sparked my passion for photography?

My boys. I have always enjoyed taking photos even as a teen but soon after my oldest son was born I was hooked.

What’s in my camera bag:

Nikon D700, Nikkor 50mm 1.4 G lens, Nikkor 70mm-200mm 2.8 G lens, Nikkor 60mm 2.8 Micro G lens.

What camera equipment did I start out with?

I started out with a 35mm Minolta Maxxum 7000 SLR which I used until I entered the digital age in 2006. My first digital DSLR was a Nikon D40.

If I could use only one lens for an entire session I would choose….

My Nikon 50mm. It’s the one that I keep on my camera body 90% of the time. It’s the lens I know the best, my fastest and most reliable. She never lets me down

My advice to someone just starting out in photography would be…

To go out and shoot in manual mode and shoot everyday until you understand exposure. Also, for Photoshop help, YOUTUBE! There are so many awesome photographers out there who take the time to upload lots of helpful tips.

My first photography crush was:

Sarah Wolfe with Sarah Wolfe Photography. I remember gasping when I saw one of her images. I still have that photo in my Flickr Favorites. Later I would gather the courage to write her and she would become somewhat of a mentor to me.

What kind of photos do I enjoy taking just for me?

I love to capture the un-posed wild and free child. I live in a very rural community and therefore clients are few and far between. I found that stock photography fits me just fine. Don’t get me wrong I love child photography and would love to specialize in it one day but for now I am happy documenting my boys lives. I love seeing their day-to-day photos being used in articles around the world. It is really rewarding to me.

If I could choose someone to photograph dead or alive I would choose to photograph…

Myself. Before you think I’m vain let me explain. I wish I could go back in time and document my life. To document my real childhood instead of the posed prompted smiles and fake backgrounds.

My style in three words…

Don’t have one. Or at least I don’t think I do. I don’t think I’ve decided yet and when I think I have I change it. I kinda like not having one.

Are there any challenges I’ve had to overcome to be where I am today?

Um, how do I answer this? Yes. I’ve had so many challenges that I had to face in my life, really hard challenges. Photography wasn’t one of them. Photography has actually become my release, my cure. I could easily drown myself thinking of the challenges I have had to face but what good would that do. I have to live life to the fullest and be happy and not only for me but for my boys. Photography is my therapy, my outlet, my calling. I am grateful for this gift.

My favorite time of day to shoot is:

Late evening. Shooting during “the golden hour” truly does create magical shots.

If I had to stop taking photos today…

I would probably become a teachers aide. Love being in the classroom with my boys. I volunteer regularly at my children’s school and always have a great time.

Education in Photography Specifically:

No, I have not had any formal education in photography. All self taught or with help from photographer friends. As a matter of fact I studied Fire Science in college and was working part time as a Firefighter/EMT before I became pregnant with my oldest son.

How do I get clients to relax with me?

Well, I once read an article from a very talented photographer (Sarah Cornish) that stated she never meets her clients with the camera in her hands. To take your time and have a conversation with them before you start snapping. I listened to her advice and it works! Thanks you Sarah!

My photography related goal for this year…

Is to just be me. It’s easy to get sucked into “wow, I want to shoot like that” or “OMG the editing!” while scrolling down Facebook. My goal for this year is to stick with what I’ve been trying to do and that’s to stay true to myself. I’m happy, I’m enough is my new motto that I whisper to myself when I feel in doubt.

A huge ‘aha’ moment for me was…

Earlier this year was when I FINALLY figured out how to shoot RAW and wow. Still can’t believe how long it took me.

My biggest photography insecurity?

Posing. I prefer authentic candid moments.

Digital or Prints?

Digital.

How do I set myself apart from local photographers?

I am very different from other local photographers. It’s the candid shots vs. posing thing. It could be my flaw but I’m going with it.

What will my next photography investment be?

The Nikon D4. I dream about it almost every night. One day it will be mine!

If I were to recommend one item it would be…

A fast prime lens. Mine is the 50mm 1.4 Nikkor but there are lots of others.

What is my biggest muse?

I have four muses and they are my four sons. I am lucky that they are always willing to let me photograph all their adventures.

Favorite color: Green

Favorite season: Summer

Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate

Pet Peeve: Yelling. No matter who it’s from or where I hear it.

Favorite Pandora Station: “Superman(it’s not easy)” Radio, a station I created.

Studio or on location: On location

What did you want to be when you grew up: A Firefighter

One thing no one knows about me: I am a child abuse survivor. What does that mean? It means I was abused as a child and survived and have learned what not to do as a parent. My children see the best in me, I love deeper and treasure small moments. I want them to be able to look back at their childhood photos and see the magic. No pain. Only childhood at it’s finest. Perhaps that’s why I am so passionate about documenting their childhood.

PC or MAC: MAC

Lightroom or Photoshop: Photoshop

Film or Digital: Digital

Props or no props: Both, but when I do use props I keep it very simple.

If you could travel anywhere it would be: Diagon Alley. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and I know it doesn’t exist but Universal Studios will be close enough;)

Glass half empty or half full: For now, half full.

Favorite photo ever taken: I recently have been obsessed with silhouettes. My favorite photo ever is a recent silhouette of my boys marching with their wooden swords at one of our favorite locations. It’s magical, it’s boyhood, and it sums up our summers adventures.

Raw or Jpeg: Raw

Favorite music to edit to: I love listening to Harry Potter movies running in the background… Seriously!

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. Suess

Most valued material possession: My camera.

Processing Style: Um, not really sure. Some days are clean and colorful others are full of texture. All depends on my mood but I can say that Hazey edits are my favorite at the moment.

Coffee or Tea: Both. Love warm coffee in the mornings and iced tea in the afternoons.

If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be: Chris Hemsworth, because it would make my boys oh so happy!

What kind of camera bag do you rock? Epiphanie. But my favorite accessory ever is my Capturing Couture camera strap.