Joanne West shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Joanne, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
In a world that is seemingly spinning faster and becoming a bit darker I am being called to slow down and lighten up. As crazy as it sounds I’ve given up trying, trying to get someplace else, trying to get it all done. I’ve realized I’m not ever going to get it done so what am I racing towards ? Maybe it’s an age related thing having just turned 65 or because I’ve had some mobility issues, 2 major ankle surgeries this year but by letting go and choosing activities that bring me joy I am finding life is easier and happier. I keep my vibration high thru appreciation of everything, more laughter even in challenging situations. Knowing that those frequencies go out into the field and bring back people and experiences of the same vibration. There’s less stressing over capturing peak moments or regrets over missed opportunities, Feeling gratitude for “what is” turns everything into a blessing. I find myself in the right places at the right times. I no longer need to chase after art buyers or clients that want to buy my photography….they just flow to me. Not price shopping clients but ones that resonate with the energy my work exudes. This new way of being instead of doing gives my life deeper meaning, a greater sense of connection and adds a positive contribution to the whole.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I moved from Chicago to Arizona as a teen in 1978. That is really what catapulated me into nature and landscape photography. I remember being surprised that radio station DJ’s announced live when spectacular AZ sunsets were happening. On those evenings I’d run outside to try and capture the magic with my first camera, a Polaroid Land camera! I was awed by Arizona’s unique raw beauty: the dramatic skies, saguaro cactus shapes resembling people, the cowboy and Native American legends and of course the endearing wildlife. I am still in awe and running outside to capture that magic in the evenings now but the iPhone has replaced the Polaroid and for the real stunners I get out my Nikon professional camera arsenal.
In my twenties I was fortunate enough to work my way into a photography career with General Motors at the Desert Proving Grounds hot weather testing facility. While employed at GM I studied photography at Mesa Community college, expanded my photography skills, even became certified to teach in the AZ Community Colleges. The GM job’s financial security enabled me to travel and capture beauty in many amazing countries like Italy, Peru, Australia & New Zealand.
Now after 45 years of photographing in so many places but mostly in Arizona I can truly say I am “Celebrating the Beauty”. I live in a unique underground dome home on 4 acres of desert in Gold Canyon Arizona with an adjacent photography art gallery. My home gallery showcases photography printed on metal and canvas in all sizes, some larger than life. I also offer frameable greeting cards and mini canvases suitable for winter visitors as decor in their RVs or to give as Arizona souvenir gifts. Private visits and group tours are offered by appt. all year long.
Besides seeing the eco home design, a big attraction is my 200lb Sulcata pet tortoise named Sheldon who resides in the courtyard. After 23 years of serving him daily salads and modifying his habitat due to his playful yet somewhat destructive antics he has become a local celebrity. Social media loves him and neighbors bring him watermelon treats and pose for photos.
Every November my home is part of the Artists of the Superstitions Studio Art tour . This year marks the 30th anniversary of my residence in this dome home so the tour will include some very special activities. Six other artists in various mediums will be showcasing their works in the courtyards during the 3 day weekend event.
In addition to sharing my photography at local art shows and the home gallery, photos can be ordered directly online from my websites. My work is also offered for sale at several local businesses including Tortilla Flats gift shop, the Gold Canyon Cafe, Live it Well Yoga Studio, and local medical facilities. Other new venues wanting to add beauty and positive vibes to their space are always popping up and very welcome.
I love teaching photography workshops and classes in retirement communities, camera clubs, and nature parks. The Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix will be offering several of my classes this fall. Currently a very popular class is “Artistic iPhone Photography” which goes right along with celebrating the beauty of each moment.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Perfectionism.
At last I am realizing how much I have held myself back by being overly critical of my work. In some ways perfectionism is a positive trait that has helped me produce images beyond the mundane with compelling composition and unpeccable technical aspects. But it has also caused me to avoid recognizing the value of my photography. Often underpricing myself or not even showing my some of my work.
For instance after a photography trip I often do not even look at the photos until the emotion of the trip wears off. Why ? Because my inner art critic says I won’t be able to decipher the photos that truly convey the beauty from those I made based on emotions I was experiencing at the time. Sometimes in my post editing and striving for perfection I decide none of them really show the beauty I saw and I end up not sharing them at all. Later, even years later, someone will ask to see photos from a place I photographed and that photo I had buried in my files, perceived by me as inadequate gets printed for a customer and suddenly becomes one of my top signature prints!
Back in the days of film, especially slide film you had to get that exposure right as there was no fixin the blown out highlights or dark shadows. Editing was simple – keep or trash. Today with all the new software and digital technology available to photographers for perfecting images almost every image is savable. This could create a never-ending editing nightmare for someone like me with a perfectionist personality or as I am learning, the technology can be a path to freedom. The simplicity and advances in the technical ability of iPhone photography has been really helpful to detach from the outcome and focus on finding joy in the process of making photos. I am seeing imperfection gives my work character and flair! It doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Not being enough. It started in the birth canal. My Italian dad Joe, already the father of 2 girls, was excitedly expecting a little Joey. Surprise – he got a Joe-Anne. Consequently to earn his love, I excelled at all things boyish, baseball, cars, even faux boxing. I rebelled against wearing dresses, playing with dolls or helping my mother with domestic girl-like chores. All thru my life I’ve been pretty much afraid to embrace and show my feminine side…choosing to work in male dominated fields and compete with men in sports. Maybe because of that deep seated idea, that being a girl wasn’t enough. Sometimes even now I have to make a conscious effort to soften and allow others to help me with things. Not sure if it held me back, but life may have been a bit easier with a mantra like: “I am woman hear me roar.”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Not being sure what my friends would say I decided to ask a few. One reminded me the fastest answers are usually the truest. Here’s their super quick responses: Animals, Mother Earth, friends, doing what makes you happy, sharing the beauty you see, seeing and being the light in the world. My oldest friend made my heart sing when she emphatically replied LOVE! The friend that knows me best, summarized all the answers: pure love, love of nature, love of friendship, love of earth, love of family, bright shining love and most important spreading that love. I am flattered but surprised…no one said pizza.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Let me start by saying I don’t know if I even have 1 year left. Our earthly lifespan is so unpredicatable. I see friends, family and pets leaving this life plane at all ages and the more that happens the more I committ to live full on with joy and somewhat reckless abandon. I have stopped fearing death and disease, putting off travels and saving money in case of future disasters. My Italian father said it right on his death bed, “Life is short… just eat”.
Live, Laugh, Love has always been a favorite catch phrase of mine…I’d add NOW to that and maybe EAT.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.jwestphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannewestphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoanneWestPhotography
- Other: www. joanne-west.pixels.com
Image Credits
Joanne West
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