Anna Nelson - TAP Photographer Profile
We have a few things to say before getting into this photographer profile. First, if you haven't been to Grant's Pass, Oregon... you really need to go. It is one of my (Joe) very favorite places and a consistent stop on many past road trips. Second, if you do find yourself and your family in Grant's Pass you really, really need to schedule a session with Anna Nelson!
Anna has been a TAP photographer since the very early days. There really are no words that can express how much we appreciate the support of so many photographers like Anna who have been a part of creating such an amazing community. Her work, no matter if it is film or digital, is always a doom scroll stopper. We love seeing her clients' really personalities through her photography. Naturally, we also love the amazing color she is getting using TAP profiles and how it is hard to tell a difference between her film and digital work. To say we are proud to have Anna as a TAP photographer is a huge under statement. We really hope you enjoy the words and photos she has shared for her TAP photographer profile.
IG Tag: @anna.nelson.photo Website: https://www.annanelsonphoto.com/
Where you’re based:
Southern Oregon
What camera gear do you use?
Canon 5D mkiii with a 50mm 1.4 lens
How long have you been shooting?
Professionally? 9 years!
What inspired you to shoot professionally?
I bought a Pentax 645n and was so inspired I was begging anyone I could find to practice shooting film on!
What is your favorite place to photograph?
Anywhere by the ocean has to be my favorite! That, or a field of wildflowers.
What place would you love to shoot but haven’t had a chance yet?
Ooooooh! That’s a tough one…there are so many beautiful places on Earth. Honestly, anywhere with yummy light and happy hearts is a great place for me.
What do you look for in a session?
Obviously golden hour is a cheat sheet for photographers to get that golden glow, but I truly think lately I have been trying to focus on getting connection captured in any light scenario. At the end of our life we are going to be drawn to the photos where the love is evident and seeping through.
What is your Archetype and why?
Gold 200 Frontier! I find that profile the easiest to to tweak to my actual film scans!
What are some of your editing techniques or tips and tricks?
Focus on the skin tones! Really study how film renders those skin tones and then work on dialing in your orange and reds with the point color selector tool to get the colors matching film.
What are some of your biggest challenges in running your business?
I am naturally a very laid back type B person, but I will say that having organization and systems in place will really save you a lot of heartache!
Who are your creative influences?
I would have to say Yan Palmer and Nicki Sebastian- those two women are true pioneers in the creative family session genre.
Describe your “Ah Ha” moment in photography.
A big Ah Ha moment for me was realizing you don’t have to be a “natural born creative” to create art. That is a bunch of bologna. We are all born creatives, and just like anything in life, put in your 10,000 hours. The more you commit to becoming a life long learner the more you will see your creative skills blossom.
What are some mistakes that helped you to grow as a photographer?
Oh gosh! I like to joke that my life was designed to make yours feel better with the amount of mistakes I've made. If there's a screw up, I've done it! Just give yourself grace and patience along the way. I think my biggest mistake was wanting to throw in the towel from defeat/shame/ feeling inadequate. We have all been there, be kind to yourself and keep staying curious about what you love.
What inspires you to stay creative?
My kids. Life. My emotions. Other creatives. The act of creating is such an outlet for our inner landscape. And don’t feel like you have to have a paid session to be creative! Some of my favorite work has been personal projects where I did not make a dime off of it.
What goals do you hope to achieve this year?
I really just have a heart to travel this year and meet/photograph so many of you in the TAP group! There is something so healing about traveling to your home town and learning your stories. Everyone has a story to tell and there is so much beauty and tragedy and resilience woven together that it touches my heart every time.
That and if hint hint Dustin and Joe ever dream up a creative get away for all of us to meet each other, I'M THERE!
Is there anything you’d like to share about the creative process or editing that you feel would be helpful?
Edit in stages! Just like writing an essay, it helps to have a first draft, then set it aside for a day or two and come back to it with fresh eyes! And if the archetype isn’t working for that specific session, play around with other ones until you find the one that clicks!
What is something you would have loved to have learned from another photographer early in your career?
It is insane to assume you are going to nail 100% of your sessions/shots. Even after 10 years, I still have photos that I toss in a session because it was just a failure, or sessions that just turned out horribly. Failure is a part of the process and not something to run away from. Consider it a tool and not a hindrance of shame. Continue to be curious of the process and how you could have done it differently vs shutting down! We are all human, even your photography idols have mess ups too.
Check out Anna's favorite profile, Gold 200 in The Yellow Pack IV!
