Ayanah takes the kind of photos that make you feel like you are a fly on the wall observing her life in action. Her fairytale is hilarious, heart warming, and awe inspiring. She tells stories that give you a glimpse of the dynamics between her children that will make you have all those warm, fuzzy feelings. I can’t help myself from falling in love with her sweet babies. If you don’t have children now, you might just change your mind when you meet Juniper. Her photos are masterfully executed with all the right angles, framing, and colors. This is not your ordinary family flick feed.
N:Natalie A: Ayanah
N: Your photos seem to have captured the hearts of the IG community for many reasons. How did you get started with IG and photography?
A: I grew up being surrounded by the arts. Whether going to the ballet, watching my mother paint, or listening to music, I’ve always loved and appreciated art. I was introduced to photography in high school and fell in love immediately. Processing film and prints was my happy place. Between music and photography, I chose to study music business at University and put photography on the back burner. It really wasn’t until downloading Instagram in 2010 that I rediscovered photography. When I started it was just capturing my kids, with the Nashville filter and frame of course, to share on Facebook. Little did I know the massive and supportive community that I soon become a part of. I now use Instagram and mobile photography as my creative outlet. Being a full time mom and wife is amazing, but without having a way to still be myself and create, it wouldn’t be so. I also have the support of a brilliantly creative husband, which makes it all even better and more fun.
N: Your pictures are always so clean and precise. Are all of your photos shot on your iPhone? Do you edit them before posting? What is your process like?
A: I only use my iphone anymore. Honestly, I don’t have the patience to reteach myself to use a “real” camera, but I’ve been considering taking on the challenge. Most of my photos are edited at least a little bit. I usually don’t have a lot of time or patience for crazy editing. The apps I use most are Snapseed and VSCO Cam. All photos are edited on my phone. I typically start in Snapseed for detailing and enhancing either the whole photo or specific points. VSCO has so many great preset filters that make it easy to change the look completely on a photo or minimally use them to make a photo your own. My editing usually has to do with the mood I’m in or the music I’m listening to at that moment.
N: Now the point of the interview is to highlight “storytellers”. Your photos aren’t all exactly accompanied by lengthy descriptions or what is going on behind the scenes yet somehow they manage to speak for themselves. They are all very personal to your little family. I love the ones that include a blurb about Junipers thought of the day or what was going on in the picture. What are your thoughts around sharing your home life with the thousands that are enamored by your family?
A: To me photography is storytelling. The story of my life just has a lot of kids in it. I like to be personal and honest about our life, without telling our complete life story. I typically stick to their witty comments and goofy stories for my captions. Sometimes thinking of what to caption takes longer than editing the photo and if that’s the case I choose a random song lyric or song title. My children have definitely inspired my photography. Without them I’d be photographing nothing but architecture or maybe even adults. Ha ha!
N: Your kids have captured the hearts of the IG community. What do they think of it all? Do they even realize how loved they are by so many people?
A: All of my children are aware of the camera and don’t mind being photographed. Nearly all photos I share on Instagram are candid captures. My daughter, Juniper, who I photograph the most, makes it easy. Juniper’s little brain is full of wonder and keeps me constantly inspired and entertained. My boys don’t mind being photographed, but they have busier lives than Juniper does at this stage in life. The boys know about Instagram and I ask their permission to post photos of them. They like when I share about their birthday and get comments from all over the world wishing them a happy birthday. Juniper could care less. If it was her way I would only be sharing videos of her singing and dancing, so not happening.
N: Any closing thoughts, words of wisdom, or maybe a funny story?
A: Mobile photography has definitely changed my life. It almost sounds silly saying that, but it truly has. I think the most important thing is to remember to put down your phone/camera and live life. Life lived is more important than life captured. As long as I’m still having fun doing this mobile photography thing I’ll keep on keepin’ on.
You can find Ayanah on Instagram.
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