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Posted on February 17, 2011
Hello Hello! It’s Thursday! Which means…we’re one day away from the weekend, AND….it’s time for a new featured photographer. However, this week we have a special surprise. Our featured photographer is actually 2 featured photographers. Why is that, you ask? Well, b/c they are an awesome mother-daughter team! Oh yes, they are a team. They shoot together, they hang out together, and they finish each others sentences. They have an awesome relationship, one that I think is amazing. I’ve never been able to meet these wonderful ladies in person, but am friends with them through the internet world. They are fun, sweet, and I love them to pieces.
So, I’m sure I have you all wondering who these wonderful ladies are, so let’s introduce them! Please welcome….
DeAnna and Iliana Arevalo – Arevalo Photography
St.Louis, Missouri Photographers
Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
DeAnna/Iliana: We are both originally from Pennsylvania and currently live in Missouri.
What does photography mean to you? What attracted you to photography?
DeAnna: I started out like so many others by taking pictures of Iliana for her scrapbooks. My interest gradually grew but it wasn’t until 2 years ago that I actually started studying. To me, photography is an art that helps us preserve our precious memories, freezing a moment in time we can have forever.
Iliana: To me, photography is a way to express myself and be creative.
Describe the area of photography you specialize in? Why did you choose this area?
DeAnna: I guess I would have to say seniors because Iliana is around that age allowing me to really hone my skills with that age set.
Iliana: I don’t feel that I really specialize in anything yet. I’m still trying to find what feels right and what I feel confidant doing. 
How long have you been a photographer?
DeAnna: I have been in business for 1.5 years now.
Iliana: I was interested in the editing first, I still am. That’s my favorite part. I just recently started picking up the camera and shooting things.
Are you self taught or have you attended formal schooling? What workshops/seminars have you found useful to you?
DeAnna: I am self taught, learning a lot together with Iliana. Being a part of online photography forums has been essential as there a lot of great photographers out there so willing to help.
Iliana: I learned everything with my mom. I haven’t attended any workshops or seminars yet.
Morning or night owl?
DeAnna: Morning is my most productive time.
Iliana: Night Owl! No question. I could stay up until 1 or 2 in the morning if my parents would let me.
If you could describe your style of photography in 4 words, what would they be?
DeAnna: Fresh, clean, casual, hip
Iliana: Fun, artistic, carefree and simple.
Who is your family? Include some pictures of them since we all know that our family is always in our photographs.
DeAnna/Iliana: The 2 of us along with husband/dad Santiago and our dog Riley. (I will get a family picture of this awesome family and come back and post it later).
What is a project that you would like to do this year with your photography?
DeAnna: I would love to be able to make the time to put all my personal digital photos into digital scrapbooks.
Iliana: I’m working on doing a 365 blog. Whether it be a picture taken with my camera or with my phone, I would really like to be able to go back through my blog and remember what I did throughout this year.
How do you balance work, and your family?
DeAnna: I am so blessed that Iliana shares an interest in this. It really encompasses family, work and school time together. We balance out with fun things like going to see her favorite bands in concerts.
Iliana: I don’t work yet and we incorporate some of my schooling with photography, making the balance a little easier.
We all want to know…what’s in YOUR bag? What lens could you not live without?
DeAnna: I have a Canon 50D and my 85 1.8. That’s it. Hoping to go full frame with a Canon 135L this year.
Iliana: My camera, of course, a Canon 50D and my Sigma 30 mm lens. I always have a pack of gum, extra SD cards and I try and keep a pen in there but I always end up taking it out and never putting it back.
I only have one lens right now, but I’m working on saving up for a 100 macro and when I get it that I already know it will be my favorite.
If you could photograph any person in the world, who would it be? Why?
DeAnna: This is Iliana answering for her, because she won’t admit it. LL Cool J.
Iliana: Can I have two answers? I would absolutely LOVE to do a photoshoot with my favorite band, One Direction and my favorite artist, Taylor Swift. They all seem like such down to earth people and I would love the opportunity to meet them and get to take pictures of them.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
DeAnna: I would more than likely still be doing medical transcription at home.
Iliana: I don’t know really know, I’m only 15. So I’m honestly still trying to figure out what I for sure what I want to do. Right now, I want to be a photographer but that could change.
What are 4 words your husband would use to describe you?
DeAnna: Loyal, committed, great mother.
Iliana: N/A
What helps keep you motivated with photography?
DeAnna: There is still so much to learn and that alone is a great motivator. Pair that with all of the inspiration you can find online and I could be doing photography related stuff all day!
Iliana: I get so inspired looking at other photography blogs and would love to be like Bobb+Mike or Matt and Katie, but I know I have SO much to learn.
Tell us about some of your long term goals (with photography or personal life)?
DeAnna: Would love to be able to travel more for both photography and personal reasons rolled into one.
Iliana: I would really like to be a concert photographer. To me, that would be the coolest job in the world.
What blogs do you love to stalk (doesn’t have to be photography related if you don’t want)?
DeAnna: It really depends what kind of shoots are coming up. (I told you in question 15 that I could do this all day so consider yourself warned….)
Engagements: http://www.sanaejames.com/blog/
http://sbchildsphotographyblog.com/?cat=4
http://www.studiorebekah.com/#
Seniors: http://sarahlanestudios.com/blog/
http://www.jessicaedwardsphotography.net/blog/
Families/Kids: http://www.chrissirichards.com/#
http://www.rayelawphotography.com/blog/
http://www.mikabethedwardsphotography.net/
http://www.bobbiandmike.com/blog/
Iliana: Indie Jane Photography, Bobbi+Mike and Matt and Katie.
When you’re not shooting, what are you doing?
DeAnna: Spending time with my family.
Iliana: Babysitting
Where is one place you would love to travel to?
DeAnna: Some day I hope to be able to go to El Salvador with my husband to see where he grew up.
Iliana: Canada and The UK.
What is one thing that you want to do in your life?
DeAnna: Make a difference.
Iliana: Iliana is just trying to figure out how to get to Texas to meet all the awesome Texans. 
This was posted by Melanie.
21) What is a quote that means a lot to you?
DeAnna:
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Iliana:
‘There’s more to life than just to live’ Yes, this is a Jonas Brothers lyric.
If you could pick one photographer in the world to do a session for you, and your family, who would it be and why?
Iliana: Bobbi+Mike. No Question.
DeAnna: Since I am so much more comfortable behind the camera and personally a pose-a-phobic, I would think Tara Whitney’s style would be the most relaxing for me. And since Iliana picked Bobbi+Mike I’ll get to be included in her session too. I think a session with them would be non-stop laughter which translates to relaxing for me.
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.)
DeAnna: The streets/culture of El Salvador capturing the memories for my husband while giving Iliana and me a peek into where he is from.
Iliana: Band shoots, for CD covers and stuff like that.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in photography, what would it be?
DeAnna: Practice, practice, practice.
Iliana:
What magazine could you not live without?
DeAnna: I am not really a magazine reader. I clip coupons. Does that count?
Iliana: I don’t really read magazines. haha
Please include some of your favorite images….
DeAnna and Iliana, thanks so much for being featured! I loved getting to know you guys even more, and had a blast reading your answers to the interviews. So, DeAnna….you like LL Cool J, eh? I think he would be a blast to photograph too.
So now we need to start planning a trip for you guys to come down to fabulous Texas. I know there are quite a few of us Texans that would have a blast meeting you guys in person. Thanks again for being featured, and thanks for being such great gals.
Keep on rockin’ your team biz.
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