Sweet newborns
Kiddos
Couples 
Family
Posted on March 10, 2011
I have been waiting for this feature since I asked the photographer to do it. Why you ask? Well, because I had a neat little tid bit of information on how I knew this photographer, before I actually “met” her. I’ve never been able to meet her in person, but rest assured she is also one that I would love to meet. I’ve known her almost 2 years from a forum we’re both part of, but the first time I saw her was a couple of years before that. I used to be big into scrapbooking, but since photography has taken over, scrapbooking has been put on the back burner. Anyways, onto the story. I remember looking at one of my scrapbook magazines (can’t remember which one, but I know I do still have it), and seeing this cute couple. It was a girl and her boyfriend. Well then you look over to the right, and there they are again, but older. I saw the scrapbook page and thought: “That couple looks so cute, sweet and so in love. Oh, and that’s a brilliant idea for a page.” It was a page from then and now. I can’t remember the years that had lapsed, but remember thinking it was such a cute page. So then fast forward a couple of years. I see this photographers face on the forum we’re part of, and think: “Wow, where have I seen her before?” I start going through my memory bank, and then realize that I’ve seen her in a scrapbook magazine, and SHE was the one in that page I loved. I specifically kept that magazine to go back to for inspiration on a page for me and Brett. I will tell you, this photographer is just as sweet of a person as she looks in pictures. Oh, and we can’t forget…she was also voted as Best Photographer in 2011 for the Fife/Milton/Edgewood area. So, since I have you all very curious as to who this gal is…let’s introduce her.
Let’s all say hello to…..
Angela Marvel – Angela Marvel Photography
www.angelamarvelphotography.com
Seattle/Tacoma, Washington Photographer
Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
I am originally from Federal Way, WA and currently live in Fife, WA
What does photography mean to you? What attracted you to photography?
I love being able to capture memories and moments in time. I love that it is a record of our lives right now. I first was interested in photography strictly as a record of memories. I use to carry a camera with me everywhere, as far back as junior high. When I got interested in scrapbooking a few years ago I wanted to have better photos to scrapbook, so I then was attracted to learning how to have better photos and once family and friends started to have families, I became attracted to portrait photography.
Describe the area of photography you specialize in? Why did you choose this area?
Babies, Children and Families. When I started out, I tried just about everything and found I enjoyed working with the little ones the best. Probably because my kids were and are young and I am use to shooting those under age 5.
How long have you been a photographer?
I have always loved taking snapshots, but got serious about the quality of my photographs in 2003 and have been in business for 4 years now.
Is it only you with your business, or do you have an assistant?
It is only me 
On a rare occasion I use my husband as an assistant.
Are you self taught or have you attended formal schooling? What workshops/seminars have you found useful to you?
I am self taught. I have learned the most from searching the Internet, books and online friends.
Morning or night owl?
Big time night owl. You can often find me awake and editing until 1-2am.
If you could describe your style of photography in 4 words, what would they be?
Creative, sweet, clean, and fun
Who is your family? Include some pictures of them since we all know that our family is always in our photographs.
My husband of almost 10 years Chris, my son Brett who just turned 4 and my youngest son Alex who is 22 months.
What is a project that you would like to do this year with your photography?
I would love to get fully caught up on our family albums. I create blog books for each year and still need to do both 2009 and 2010 J
How do you balance work, and your family?
Some days I don’t. I am lucky that my husbands goes to bed early and my kids sleep in to an acceptable hour so I can edit at night, but some days I don’t get everything done.
We all want to know…what’s in YOUR bag? What lens could you not live without?
I have three cameras, 5d, 40d and Xt. My main lenses are: 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, and 70-200 F/4L. I could not live without my 50mm 1.4 lens. I shoot a lot of babies and photos of my kids indoors, so its on my camera more then any other lens. However my 85mm lens is a very close 2nd since I love it for outdoor photos.
If you could photograph any person in the world, who would it be? Why?
I spent a lot of time on this one. At first I was thinking a celebrity. Maybe a sports celebrity like a football player. Or maybe another photographer. But honestly I think I would be too nervous if I did any of these.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
I was a paralegal before being a SAHM and I really loved that.
What are 4 words your husband would use to describe you?
Loyal, creative, shy, stubborn
What helps keep you motivated with photography?
Looking at others’ photos, coming up with new ideas to try, and trying to push myself to think outside the box.
Tell us about some of your long term goals (with photography or personal life)?
Eventually I would love to buy a bigger home, so I can have my own dedicated work space. In the shorter term, I want to keep working on becoming a little faster at editing so I don’t have to spend so much time in front of the computer.
What blogs do you love to stalk (doesn’t have to be photography related if you don’t want)?
I don’t tend to go to blogs much anymore since I can see everything on facebook now.
Some non photo ones I follow are:
www.realitysteve.com gotta get all my Bachelor spoilers and love his articles
www.have-you-met-ted.com I am a big How I met your mother fan, so each week I stalk this blog
When you’re not shooting, what are you doing?
Family time, playing games with the boys, watching TV (I love to watch TV), going out to eat, crocheting, being a mom
Where is one place you would love to travel to?
I really want to go to Italy.
What is one thing that you want to do in your life?
Visit all 50 states. I have 15 down, only 35 to go : )
What is a quote that means a lot to you?
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” -Walt Disney.
If you could pick one photographer in the world to do a session for you, and your family, who would it be and why?
Tara Whitney, I love her style and way she captures family relationships. I have been following her for years and am always inspired by her.
If you could photograph one area of photography for a day, what would it be, why? (Something other than what you photograph, i.e. architecture, food, boudoir, birth, etc.)
I love the raw emotion of a birth. I have photographed one before and it was one of the most moving experiences of my life.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in photography, what would it be?
Practice and keep at it. Photography does not come to you overnight and it doesn’t come all at once.
What magazine could you not live without?
I don’t get any magazines. But I do like People, Real Simple, and National Geographic
Please include some of your favorite images….
Well, there we have it. Another fabulous photographer that we had the chance to get to know. I really do love this feature, and have enjoyed it a ton. A lot of the photographers have said how they feel honored that I have asked them to be featured. What’s funny about that, is I feel extremely honored that they want to be featured by me. Like I’ve said before, I love this industry and all the amazing people I have the opportunity to meet. I’m extremely grateful for this industry, and the amazing people in it.
Angela, thank you so much for being featured this week, and I hope you found my little “story” funny, or amusing. Thanks again for letting us get to know you better, and of course being able to see your awesome images!
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