Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Dolny.
Lisa, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I remember being in high school having zero clue of what I wanted to do with my life. I was unaware of the many career possibilities that were out there. I checked out an intro photo class and was immediately interested. Before I knew it, I was taking an AP photo class and then attended a conference the end of my senior year where I could learn about college art programs for almost every art school in the country. A few months later I found myself (along with my pony) moving to Florida to attend Ringling College of Art and Design. I’ll be honest and say I cried like a baby leaving my hometown, family and friends. I literally knew no one. The next four years flew by. I not only grew as an individual but also learned so much about photography. It’s an opportunity I am glad I took. When I graduated, I received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Photography & Digital imaging and minored in Business. It may sound cliché, but you should follow your dreams and take chances. You don’t want to look back and regret not giving an opportunity a chance. In the beginning, I never wanted to leave GA, but I’m so thankful my parents pushed me to do it. Currently, I am a freelance photographer, finding work on my own as well as freelancing for a marketing agency in Texas. I am taking every photo opportunity I can to expose myself and networking as much as possible. It’s amazing to be doing something I love.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My art work varies from day to day. Sometimes I get to work directly with people and some days I am home working in the small studio I created. I also find myself exploring places and taking photos of what I discover. I honestly love doing it all. It is refreshing being able to mix it up and photograph a little bit of everything.
It brings me such joy to see people get excited about the images I captured for them. People tend to see “flaws” in themselves, and I like to think I can capture what beauty they miss. My art also allows someone to relive a moment over and over again, feel that emotion they did in that moment, and even make people feel more confident. They have that memory to last a lifetime. How many professions allow you to do that? It’s just an amazing feeling.
I hope people take a few things away from my images. Overall, I hope they are able to see beauty in things they wouldn’t typically take time to stop and notice. I also want to create an illusion of escape. For example, I once did a series called ’teks-cher. It is a tactile narrative that is dedicated to my mother, who has Multiple sclerosis, and sometimes loses the sense of feeling in her finger tips.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I honestly think it is a little bit of both. Social media makes it easier to share our stories and work. Instagram and Facebook are two ways people have discovered my work, whether it be a random search or through mutual friends. What makes it harder is the fact that there are so many of us creative people out there all trying to achieve a similar goal. It would be great if the city would keep supporting the local artists and the art scene! Organized art fairs or other fairs where local artists can display their artwork is a great way to network and gain exposure (photo pun intended!).
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
There are a few places people can check out my work! The best way to see my full spectrum of work is my website, www.lisadolnyphotography.com
I also frequently share my most recent work on Instagram and my Facebook page, @lisadolnyphotography.
A little support goes a long way in this industry! It’s so appreciated when someone supports me by simply by sharing my work and giving credit when they do. Word-of-mouth is a big way I meet potential clients, so I’m super grateful when anyone mentions my name to someone who is looking for a photographer!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://lisadolnyphotography.com
- Email: dolnyla@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisadolnyphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisadolnyphotography/
Image Credit:
Lisa Dolny
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