An interview with Anna:

What made you decide to pursue photography?

Wow, that would be hard to sum up. Since I was a small child I have enjoyed the details in life. I watched tiny bugs build their homes, I noticed the way a neck curves when it is caressed by a hand, I was drawn to the way a person’s eyes light up with a little twinkle when they smile; I guess I have always seen life, God’s creation, in the details. I love how through the medium of photography I can capture, create even, that sense of wonder in the little things. Making it my livelihood was the obvious next step. Sometimes, when I am working on a session’s images, I lean back in my chair and think “I am so blessed to have a job I love so deeply”. How many people can really say that?

Do you enjoy what you do?

Oh, man, more than almost anything! I came alive when I discovered that I had a gift for creating images. Every time I learn something new, every time I open an inspiring image and catch my breath at the beauty, I know I have made the right decision. It’s like I was created for it; like I have found the true me. I come alive; that about sums it up.

So, I suppose you have a million photographs of your own family?

Well, have you ever heard the term “The cobbler’s children have no shoes”? That rings a bit true in our home. I have four children, so there is plenty of action to capture. It’s not that they are never photographed, but well, those beautiful albums almost every customers walks away with; I don’t have a single one! Goodness, I really aught to get on that. I am envious of all of you when you walk out of my studio with a beautiful, FINISHED, book of a moment in your lives. Truly, that is a treasure.

How did you learn what you know?

This is a question with no clear-cut answer as there are multiple sides to what I “know” about photographing children. The most profound learning came from the people in my life. My grandfather and great-grandfather were portrait photographers. I can remember going to my grandparent’s studio in North Dakota to have my photo taken as a child. More importantly, I can remember those photos gracing our walls as I grew up. My father was also a bit of a hobbyist; really he had quite an eye. Our photo albums chronicling our childhood were filled with well-composed images that went beyond mere records of our existence. They captured the heart.

Once I realized that I had what many call “an eye” for capturing the heart of the people I photographed, I knew I had to take it a step further and learn the technical aspects. I knew that such knowledge could free me to express myself in even more profound ways. I bought, borrowed and checked out every book I could find on the technical aspects and techniques of photography. I read while I ate, I read to sleep. Some things I read ten times just to understand it. And then I went out and practiced until the people at my local lab all knew me by first name. That learning has not stopped; it is my prayer and goal that it never will. I love it!

Four kids? Sounds crazy; how do you do it all?

Hmm…I hear that one all the time. First of all, I don’t! My kids don’t get bathed every night, sometimes they don’t get their homework done, on occasion we’ll find a child has not had their nails trimmed for weeks. Pretty much, we don’t sweat the small stuff. My favorite way to describe life in our house is “sweet chaos”, because there is nothing better than my “sweet” life, but chaos is an inevitable reality.

I must admit, though, I do have a secret: housekeepers. Seriously, about three years ago I read the biography of Mary Kay Ash (founder of Mary Kay cosmetics). She was an amazing business woman and a single mother of three children, I believe. One of her strongest recommendations to mothers who run businesses is to pay people to do things that take your time away from you family. Well, if you say so, Mrs. Ash!! Beyond that, despite being an artist at heart with a little ADD sprinkled in (have you ever met an artist without a little ADD?) I have found ways to be very efficient and reasonably organized. Truly, when your household produces 10-14 loads of laundry per week, is there any other way??

I do have to give credit where it is due. My husband is one of the most helpful and involved husbands and fathers I know of. Without him and his advocacy of my success and of our family’s success, I would never be where I am today. He is my partner in every way.