Today we’d like to introduce you to Delaney George.
Delaney, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
If we are taking it from the very beginning, I would start from when I was a sophomore in high school. I was an editor of my school newspaper, and often I would have to take pictures at school functions and games. From there, I learned how much I loved shooting portraits of people, and I stuck with it. In college, I got involved in shooting more concepts and themed shoots. I was formerly a model, so it was easy for me to not only direct people on shoots but style them, cast out models, scout locations, basically produce an entire idea from start to finish. I eventually started using my ideas on the most interesting people I could find, and eventually, my “conceptual” style began to attract a like-minded clientele. This is when I started to expand my work to places like Atlanta and California and landed international coverage from my Domestic Violence shoot. I would never say “I’m on” or that something was my “big break,” but for the Domestic Violence shoot with Ebony Malika, that was the first time I realized how far my wor could go and how impactful it could be. This particular shoot made me want to stick with conceptual photography. Since then, my work has been published in the New York Times, Glamour Magazine, Essence, and more. 90% of what I post on my page are concepts I came up with in my head or concepts I’ve turned into music videos or video portraits. I would say the storyboarding process or “conceptualization” process is the most important part for me. I love having an idea just come to me and being able to get it out through photography. I love going through the steps to make it possible as well, which is always a challenging and new experience. I’ve had shoots where I had to rent vintage limos, shoots where I had to go underwater and even rent out giant mansions. I am always dedicated to the vision of 110%, and that’s why I feel like I’ll always be in this industry.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Consistency. Photography is never a smooth road, nor do I ever really expect it to be. If it’s not one thing, it’s another, like any other field, but you’ll keep going if you love it. One of the biggest struggles is just having consistent clientele. Some months are way too busy, and others are very slow. If you are relying on this as your only income, it can be a tough and scary experience. But sometimes you have to analyze why things are slow and what you can do to improve like keeping up with social media promo, constantly trying to expand and gain new audiences and opportunities, and staying up to date with new tech and skills. Some other struggles would be problematic clients, unrealistic production budgets, film prices, self-management, I mean the list could go on and on but when you complete a seriously great project, and both you and your client and audience are happy with, that is a priceless feeling. There is always going to be a client that doesn’t understand how this field works or a camera that is just way too expensive, but you’ll soon see it’s all worth it when you can create the content you love.
Laneslense – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am Delaney George, a traveling conceptual photographer, director, visual artist, and multimedia buff. I operate under my photography company Laneslense LLC, which began back in 2014. I shoot interesting, innovative, and conceptual projects, as well as help others manifest their ideas by contributing mine. I am known for shooting fabulous women and bringing vintage, nostalgic goodness to all who view my work. Some could say I am fascinated with the past. I have been a director on several music video projects, retail campaigns, festivals, art installations, and more. Everything about myself and my brand in the epitome of a creative machine because of the many roles I play. I have been the photographer, videographer, director, stylist, casting dept., producer, and marketer on more shoots than I can count. People come to me to get shit done because they know I can make it happen. And if ever I can’t, I’ve already appointed someone who can. I can adapt to any creative role, and I am truly a one-stop-shop for creativity, and I enjoy it. That is what sets me apart the most.
I have received dozens of publications, worked with many celebrities, and have been on so many stages with so many great people, but the thing I am most proud of as a company is my growth. Growing from being a point & shoot Nikon owner to a DSLR master to being the owner and master to nine cameras in counting. Within the last four years, I have been infatuated with film: Super 8’s Medium Formats, 35mm you name it! And I feel like I did when I picked up my first camera, reborn. I want all who view my work to have an unforgettable experience when they see it. Photography, for me, is like photosynthesis. But instead of converting light into energy, I am converting the human experience into light through my work.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I would consider myself successful when I can comfortably give back to all the people who gave to me. And do all the things I said I would for the city of New Orleans.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laneslense.squarespace.com/
- Email: Laneslense@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laneslense/
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