Today we’d like to introduce you to Maura Davidson.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My story with photography began when I was really small. There are old photos that my parents took of me where I was carrying around disposable cameras, always holding them up to my face. I have been fascinated with cameras and photography for as long as I can remember.
My great grandfather was a photojournalist and portrait photographer, and my dad was interested in shooting film, so I was always encouraged to embrace my creativity. Basically, every Christmas I asked for a new point and shoot as my main gift. I would take photographs of my friends, my sisters, my dogs. I really just had fun with it. I never imagined that it could be a lucrative career for my future. At that point, I had no idea what field I wanted to go into. When I was 17, a Junior in High School, I met one of my best friends Savannah Shaw. She had her own photography business and encouraged me to follow my heart and do the same. Once I made the decision to start, I was completely hooked. My Junior and Senior year were basically dedicated to learning my craft and figuring myself out as an artist. I remember being so hungry for knowledge. Natural abilities can only take you so far before you need to learn logistics, and I was up for the challenge.
I would spend hours and hours after school watching YouTube videos about shooting manual and using Lightroom. I loved it so much, it was all consuming. I started out doing lots of work for free, shooting anything and everything, lots of Senior portraits and family sessions. After shooting my first wedding in 2016 I felt as if I had fallen in love with photography all over again. The passion I have for couples created something real. Something that I could hold on to. It mixed together my art and my purpose. Creating beautiful photographs and loving on people. Realizing that my art could be used as an act of service has transformed me in the best way. At the start of 2019 I am officially specializing in wedding photography and couple’s portraiture.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a lifestyle and wedding photographer creating digital galleries and prints, with some personal travel photography on the side. I create beautiful artwork with people, for people, to capture time and tell stories. The thing that I love most about sessions, couple’s sessions in particular, is that it’s a team effort to perfectly capture the story I am trying to tell with my photographs. It’s their story, their love, their affection, their happy place, and they have to let me in on it. What an honor, right?? It’s so fun to meet someone, formally shake their hand, and then an hour later watch them fall in love all over again when I ask them something like, “what are you most proud of her/him for?” “Why do you love her/him?” I hope my work inspires people to care about photography, and to care about capturing the essence of their love in this exact moment in time. From the session to the delivery of a gallery, my hope is that my clients are able to feel empowered, loved, free, and worthy. I am fully inspired by the love of Christ in my life and how He has shaped my truths about romantic love here on earth.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I can completely testify that spending most of your week cooped up in your room culling, editing, replying to emails, blogging, etc. can get lonely. I am a total introvert, so I might not be the best at giving advice on this topic, but I’ve really loved connecting with other photographers through online groups and face to face workshops. On that note, it’s a really fun moment when you get to meet another photographer that you’ve been looking up to for years, and you realize they are on the same struggle bus as you are. Comparison is a true thief of joy, and in our current climate I think it’s much too easy to become defensive and competitive and not allow yourself to enjoy the company of a “competitor” in your industry. But connections really are everything, and you will never ever lose for having friends who can build you up and help you out when you need someone else who knows what they are doing.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am usually pretty good about keeping my website updated, but for all of my most recent work you should follow me on Instagram @mauradavidsonphotography and @mauradavidson. Word of mouth is huge for my business, so if you like what you see, share my page with any of your engaged or soon-to-be engaged gals. I would be forever grateful.
Contact Info:
- Address: Athens, Ga
- Website: www.mauradavidsonphotography.com
- Email: mauradavidsonphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauradavidsonphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MauraDavidsonPhotography
Image Credit:
Maura Davidson
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