Behind the Lens // Heather Liebler Photography

Today's post is a special interview with this month's featured sponsor, Heather of Heather Liebler Photography.  Heather is an inspiring and amazingly talented professional photographer based out of Charlotte, North Carolina.  I hope you enjoy this glimpse into what inspires her and makes her tick!  And stay tuned in the upcoming week for an incredible giveaway where you can win two of her prints!  -melissa

Hi Heather!  Please introduce yourself to Bubby and Bean's readers.
My name is Heather Clements Liebler.  That’s where the Clementseye (my Etsy shop name) comes from. I am married and live in Charlotte, North Carolina with our two daughters who are 9 and 4.

How did you become interested in photography? When did it turn into a career for you?
I’ve been interested in photography since I got my first camera at age 10.  It was for a trip to England and Scotland with my grandparents.  I got a Canon AE-1 Program.  I still have it and I still love it.  I’ve actually started collecting these cameras just in case one breaks and I can’t find anyone to fix it!  I’ve been taking pictures since then.  Right after I was married we moved to Charleston, South Carolina for my husband’s job.  While looking for a job myself, I decided to take a photography class to learn to develop film and print my own pictures.  I’d say that’s when the "I could turn my very expensive hobby into a career" idea came along. I did a few shows, began shooting weddings and portraits, and there you go.  I took a hiatus when my kids came along, and because we moved twice.  Now my daughters are both in school, and I’m back in the swing of things professionally.

What are your favorite things to photograph? What types of things inspire you
I don’t think I can answer my favorite things to photograph.  I am a gemini so my moods change with the wind in terms of what I find inspirational. I love taking a picture that either allows you to see something that you see all the time in a different way, or makes you notice something that you hadn’t before.  I like to make people think.  I hope I accomplish that.

What photographers or artists have influenced your work?
Well my first love was Walker Evans, then I discovered Dorthea Lange, and of course there are Ansel Adams and Annie Leibovitz.  I love them all for different reasons.  Ansel Adams makes the most perfect prints I’ve ever seen.  I love the darkroom side of things just as much as the actual taking of the picture.  Annie does such an incredible thing with light and capturing the true soul of her subjects.

The Bubby and Bean blog focuses on living a creative lifestyle. Aside from photography, are there other things you particularly enjoy creating? 
I knit and cook.  The knitting satisfies the fascination with creating things.  I am working on really understanding the geometry of the basics so I can always fix my mistakes.  The cooking is SO mood work. That’s my only problem with it.  I can’t shop for a week of cooking because I may not FEEL like cooking Carbonara on Thursday!  But I love the challenge and satisfying results.  My family, however, doesn’t always love being my guinea pig!

If you had to pick one piece of your work that was your favorite, what would it be?
I love one of the first professional photos I ever took, of a really neat perspective of a very old column in Charleston.  It was before I was shooting digital and the negative was destroyed (long story), so I cherish the image that I have of it.

Where do you see yourself and/or your business in 5 years?
I see it being a sustainable career where I don’t have to fight QUITE as hard for each job.  I’d love to be to the point that I'm able to pick and choose which jobs I can take on.  I am hoping to be able to develop more both creatively and technically where both create a better product.  I believe in continually evolving your craft.

One of our most popular series on Bubby and Bean is 'Friday is For Favorites.' Tell us your favorite of each of the following: color, movie, food, and band.
My favorite color is lime green.  I just can’t get enough of it!  My favorite movie a tough one, it’s more of a category thing.  The Pillow Book is GORGEOUS - a little weird, but beautiful to look at frame by frame. Sabrina (both old and new) still make me feel so happy.  And of course, Casablanca.  My favorite food is anything that is bold and solid.  I love flavors and perfect highlight of the ingredients.  My favorite bands are (not necessarily in this order) NIN, Violent Femmes, Eileen Jewel and Regina Spektor.  I guess I must still be working on editing... I’m such a gemini!

If you had to pick one item for your holiday gift list this year, what would it be?
I actually got it...  A new Nikon D3S.  She is perfectly gorgeous!  So there is nothing else I need.  Well, I'd like a beautiful lens to go with it, but I want to earn it first!

Before we go, tell us a little about the photographs we're featuring in this post.
Waltz of the Flowers is an 8x12 of the Waltz of the Flowers during a performance of the Nutcracker.  I love the feet of dancers. They are just exquisite!  Cloud Trees was taken under a dense cloud cover descending on Cape Town, South Africa.  Sal is an abandoned old truck in a field always has such a story behind it. I love trying to think of different scenarios for her.  Escape was shot on the beach on the island of Bimini, Bahamas.  The ocean is my center.  It calms me and reminds me that it is always changing and sometimes you just have to go with it. It will take you where you are meant to be.  Boat Abstract No 2 was taken of fishing boats in Hermanus, South Africa.  It used to be a whaling village and these were so full of color and life.  I just fell in love. Shadow Dancing was taken as reminder of the days when everything was magnificent; when shadows became friends and sunlight made you smile.  Dance was also taking during a performance of the Nutcracker, during Dance of the Snowflakes.

Big thanks to Heather for taking the time to share a little bit about herself and career with our readers!  Make sure you each take a minute to check out more of Heather's gorgeous work in her shop.  And if you see something you like (holiday gifts anyone?), she is generously offering Bubby and Bean readers a special discount of 20% off with the code BUBBYANDBEAN!  You can also find Heather on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog.