afotogirl's photostream  

I got my first camera when I was 10. By high school, I was staying up most of the night working in my darkroom (a bathroom I converted!) while the rest of my family selpt.

After art school, I worked for studio’s learning real-world visual problem solving. Then I took a job as a custom printer in a local Pro-lab. I eventually landed in the photo department at The San Diego Union-Tribune as a deadline darkroom technician. An early pioneer at the newspaper in Adobe Photoshop, I embraced it fully as it allowed me to combine my painting, design and photographic skills. A promotion just 3 years after arriving at the newspaper allowed me to serve as a Photo Editor in charge of the vision, development and execution of photographic content for several features sections as well as teaching other photographers Photoshop while guiding them on their own photographic journeys. I spent the next 14 years as a Features Photo Editor. I also wrote and lead a workshop at the National Press Photographer Association's Women in Photojournalism Conference on Keeping the Creative Spirit Alive with Photoshop Illustration Techniques.

In 2007 I started a new chapter in my career at the newspaper when I was asked to take on the role of page designer giving me more art direction control than I had as a photo editor. I love the infusion of creative energy the new role has given me.

Ever evolving, I’m continuing my creative journey designing jewelry and writing, cooking and shooting for my food blog, foodieconfessions.blogspot.com. As of April 2011, I'm also a Featured Contributing Writer on the Food & Dining Blog Channel of Tree.com.

With my passion for photography and food, I'm endeavoring to be able to take this obsession to the next level of having it support me full time by writing about it, shooting it, coaching others on styling and shooting techniques and eventually, getting my own cookbook out on the market.

In the meantime, feel free to follow the journey, won't you? I'm on Twitter (@afotogirl) and a quick google will get you to most of my other creative avenues.

Peace,
Ani