To view the article on Shoutout magazine click here.
We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Chavez and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Heather, what are you inspired by?
Nature and intimate moments are what inspire me the most. Seeing the warmth and love between a couple who are completely enamored with each other is amazing. When they look at each other but I mean truly look at each other and just see the connection they have with one another is pretty awesome. Other intimate moments like a mom embracing her child and her child not only hugging their mom back but giving a little squeeze and closing their eyes like they don’t ever want to let go. Moments like those get me.
Nature would be the other thing that definitely inspires me. Amazing sunlight peaking from behind the mountains and the clouds diffusing the light in such a way that it creates a warm glow all around it. When you have amazing weather and gentle breezes to force a client to brush their hair behind their ear or when it makes their dress flutter to add movement to their photos is magical. Listening to the birds singing while I’m shooting or soaking in the sun before golden hour make my soul happy. I want to capture all of those elements in my photos so my clients can look at their images and be brought right back to those moments they had during their session.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I feel like what sets me apart is my patience, adventurous spirit and creativity. I’m patient with my clients’ kids and that’s a big one. Not all photographers are calm and patient or excited and energetic to match kids’ energies. I can do both! This allows me to pick up on the ones who need a bit more warming up to vs the ones who want to run around and play. It helps me match their vibe so I become their friend and they act like their true selves so I can capture just that-authentic moments and expressions.
I will shoot pretty much anywhere anytime. You want sunrise and I know I have a late night ahead? I’ll still do it. You want to go on a hike in the mountains to the middle of nowhere? I’m so down. I’m the photographer you call who is totally okay with photographing in a blizzard or putting up with any elements, weather related or not.
I am pretty creative. I can utilize small spaces, I can craft things last minute for a shoot, I can capture what my client is looking for when they think there’s no way this can be done. I like a good challenge and I like being able to create one of a kind images for my clients.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Week long trip? We’d definitely make sure hiking and food are involved. We’d go to my favorite, coffee, breakfast and dinner spots around town.
We would do an amazing hike whether in Colorado Springs or elsewhere. If there’s time for it I’d say over in Crested Butte during the wildflower season or up in Rocky Mountain National park.
I’d love to take them to go bowling at a cheap spot I know or to play pool and darts while we listen to karaoke.
Depending on the season we would paddle board up in the Pikes Peak area at one of the reservoirs. If it’s winter we’d go skiing at Monarch or if it’s summer we’d go river floating up near Woodland Park.
So, yeah, a lot of food and a lot of outdoor adventures.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All of my family and friends are my biggest support. I couldn’t be where I am without any of them. From my parents flying into town to help out with my girls during my busiest time of year to my friends volunteering to come toss my client’s dress for me for a session. Also being able to vent with them about any struggles or frustrations I may be having or to bounce ideas off of them to better run my business. I have one friend, Crystal, who is also always up for a random adventure to take photos pretty much anywhere doing pretty much anything. She’s worn a dress I made out of mushrooms and moss without any questions and has covered herself with zombie makeup and blood for a horror shoot, she’s climbed up boulders for epic maternity photos and sat in a freezing waterfall for mermaid breastfeeding images. I’m pretty darn lucky to have her in my life.
Website: https://www.heatherannphoto.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/heather_ann_photo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hapcolorado
Other: https://www.pinterest.com/Heather_Ann_Photos/
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