This week we are featuring an interview with child photographer Angela Crutcher from Nashville, Tennessee. Angela bills herself as “Nashville’s Artistic Young Children’s Photographer.” She is one of Middle Tennessee’s leading portrait artists, sought after for her distinctive style and approach to photographing young children and their families.

MBP: How and when did you get started in child photography?

AC:I always knew that I would grow up to be a photographer. I was fascinated with the process from a very early age. I remember looking through magazines when I was 12 and asking myself “I wonder how they did that shot?” As I grew up, my passion for photography grew stronger as well. When I entered into college at age 17, I automatically knew what I would be doing.

Six years ago, I began my journey in professional photography creating art with black and white film. Hours in the darkroom felt like minutes as I worked in total amazement, watching my photographs appear on blank paper like true magic.

Even though I do not shoot with film anymore, it still holds an important place in my heart. Black and white film is where my roots are. It’s where my story truly begins.

My journey continued on as I received an Associates of Arts Degree in photography and now as I live out my dream with every click of the shutter.

MBP: How would you describe your style?

AC:I am a non-traditionalist. My images are an eclectic mix of how I see life. I like crazy-bright colors, bare feet and messy haired babies! My images are modern, yet whimsical and candid. They are fun and honest!

MBP: Do you prefer studio or “on location” photography and why?

AC: I photograph exclusively on location. I feel too constrained in a studio setting. I love to explore new places to shoot. I love how each clients’ home is so very different from the last. I love to include the environment in my images, whether it be a modern and stylish baby nursery or the colorful, texture-filled streets of a downtown urban setting. It’s the spontaneity of it all that keeps my creativity going!

MBP: Can you share a story about your funniest photography shoot?

AC:My funniest session? Hmmm…. It would have to be a session I did with a toddler last Summer. We were in the middle of a field, when all of a sudden a red wasp flies into my shirt. I began frantically running around, screaming for help. I was terrified I would be stung by this wasp. The mom of the child I was photographing, was pulling my shirt out in the back, trying to get the wasp out. After about 30 seconds of terror, the wasp flew out of my shirt without stinging me once. I have since learned to wear shirts that are not quite so loose while on my sessions! haha!

MBP: What about your most difficult photography shoot?

“So many emotions were running through my head as I looked through the lens with this wonderful, young, father whose life will be tragically cut short from such a horrible monster.”

AC: Photographing a family with two young girls, whose father is dying of cancer. So many emotions were running through my head as I looked through the lens with this wonderful, young, father whose life will be tragically cut short from such a horrible monster. It really puts things into perspective. It makes you remember to not take the little things for
granted and to thank God every day for what you have in your life.

MBP: How much time do you spend editing photos to make them production ready?

AC: It takes me approximately 90 minutes to edit a complete session.

MBP: What types of photo editing do you do and using what software?

AC: I do not use any actions on my images. Most of my color/lighting effects are achieved in camera. I only do basic editing to my images, such as: slight curves and levels adjustments and sharpening. I edit my images using Photoshop CS3.

MBP: What type of camera equipment do you use and why?

AC:I shoot with a Nikon D300
and a Nikkor 24-70 mm 2.8 lens and a 70-200 mm 2.8 lens. I shoot primarily with natural light, and this camera/lens combo is the perfect fit for my style of shooting.

MBP: What advice do you have for parents who are looking for a professional child photographer?

AC: Research! Every photographer is different, you should find the photographer that truly fits your style, expectations and budget.

Angela Crutcher’s website is angelacrutcherphotography.com and you can also follow her on her blog findingtheartinlife.com

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