I was honored with a First Place Award in the Travel Category of the Image International Photography Contest. My winning image was recently published in the popular Canadian publication, Photo Life.
Name: Ann Hamilton
Occupation: Pro
Photographer
Business: Ann
Hamilton Photographer
Number of years in
the industry: 10
Website: www.annhamilton.com and www.annhamiltonblog.com
Twittername: annhamilton
| Ann Hamilton is a San Francisco-based photographer with a passion for photographing weddings and dogs. She was recently named by American Photo Magazine as "One of the Top 10 Wedding Photographers of 2009." |
What's been best
marketing move/strategy? Combining my two loves of photography - weddings and
dogs - into one business. Being diverse in my product offerings has helped me
stand out from the crowd.
AM or PM? PM (I'm a
night owl!)
What product/tool do you think you couldn't live without, and why? My
camera. It's an extension of my eye.
What did you want to
be when you grew up? Marine biologist.
What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? There are no shortcuts in
life.
Who inspires you? I'm inspired by the world around me.
Describe your ideal ice cream sundae? Vanilla ice cream covered in hot
caramel with a strawberry on top.
What three words best describe your style? Modern, elegant, artistic.
What is something people don't know about you? I have a crush on Mark
Wahlberg.
What is your guilty pleasure? Coca cola and gummi bears. It's the sugar.
What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done? Travel the world
with Gene Higa.
What's your favorite
quote? Be true to your work, your word, and your friend. - Henry David Thoreau
Any must-do or don't
do for brides and grooms? Don't lose sight of what's really important.
As I've said before, I love to find the innate good in people. I love it when someone unknowlingly makes my day a little better. Two people who do an excellent job of this are Dawn and Dat, the Starbucks Baristas who know exactly how to make my tea, and offer to add soymilk exactly to my taste. One day I went to the Starbucks at the airport. When I ordered my tea and asked for milk, the barista was very bitter and cranky. She said she would have to charge me for it (which was awkward) and then she only added a splash of milk. It made me even more grateful for Dawn and Dat, the wonderful Baristas in Lafayette who not only offer me Soymilk for my tea, but also ask if I want it steamed or not.
I love it when people go out of their way to help someone else!
What was so interesting about this book was that it took an unconventional approach to psychology and why we are the way we are. This psychologist asked, "Why do we need to look at our past to figure out our futures? It doesn't have to be that complicated."
It is life experiences and personal interactions that determine your attitude - positive or negative. Filling your bucket means you are positive to yourself and to others. Emptying your bucket means either you are negative (to yourself or someone else), or someone is negative to you. It's the pay it forward idea, that positivity is exponential. Simply, be positive towards yourself and others (be a bucket filler!) to live a fulfilling life. I like how empowering this idea is. This is a great read!
