We were lucky to catch up with Anjana Olson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Anjana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I have both an artistic and science background; I have a BFA with an emphasis in charcoal drawing, a Nutritional Science degree, a Microbiology minor, and a Spanish minor. Being challenged fuels my soul. After an internship at Kraft in their Microbiology department, I turned down a job offer because I knew that photography was my future. As much as I loved science, I loved the synergy of science and art that a profession in photography offered.
That being said, I’m incredibly fulfilled and happy to be a portrait artist. There are moments when I wish I had paid vacation days, that someone else could make decisions for my business, that I could get “promotions” and “you’re doing great!” bonuses. However, the deep joy that comes from visually capturing people’s stories and relationships far outweighs those times. Also? One of the aspects of artist life I never subscribed to was being a “starving artist.” Yes, I’m in a creative field, but the business side of photography was equally important to me. This means that I do reward myself occasionally and being profitable is at the forefront of Anj Portrait Studio.
Anjana , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hello! I’m Anj Olson, the name behind Anj Portrait Studio. Anj Portrait Studio is a modern studio that partners with you to create fine art portraits for your home. I specialize in newborn, children, family, and headshot/branding sessions.
I have a family of 5 – an adoring husband named Marty and three beautiful boys that fill me with joy and push me to all my limits. Nothing in life could have prepared me for motherhood, but it’s led to me discovering so much about myself as well as taught me to see the world incredibly differently. My boys have infused themselves into my photographic style – the thought, “how would I like my boys to be photographed?”, is always at the back of my head. I have an introspective eldest, an emotion-filled second, and a force-of-nature third. The most important aspect of my portrait work is that personalities are truthfully embodied. This means smiles aren’t required, emotions are respected, and having fun is a must!
My heart belongs to both my men and my art – I’m a better Mama when my creativity is fueled and a better photographer when my family gets the margin and time together that we need. My business model was born from that knowledge, as well as my desire to truly connect with my clients. I photograph 4-6 sessions a month and the process from start to finish is focused on printing wall art and albums for your home.
From the beginning, I knew the studio would focus on tangible art. My mom was a librarian for 24 years – the physical act of reading was a huge part of my love of books; the smell of books, turning the page, holding the book. This idea transferred to the studio. The portrait session is the first step but the experience isn’t complete until those images are printed and hanging on your walls or printed in an album.
How did I get here – to being the owner and portrait artist at Anj Portrait Studio? Photography was always a part of my life – beginning with my dad passing on his love of photography to me. My fine art degree in charcoal drawing also gave me an affinity for deep shadows and directional light, a love for compositional storytelling, and an appreciation for the process behind an artistic work.
Fast forward to college dark room days at Iowa State and hours upon hours of contentment – it’s important to pay attention to where you are most content when making life decisions. After my internship at Kraft, it was clear to me that I did NOT belong in a lab coat. Another source of inspiration for my photographic journey? Art history. Painters, specifically, of all genres – Mondrian, Dali, Monet, Chinese ink paintings, Angelica Kauffman, Le Brun, and so many more.
After moving to Kansas City for 3 years for the thrill of big city life and then the reality of 3 boys bringing us back home to Iowa, Anj Portrait Studio came to be. We settled in Ankeny, where the studio now resides. Access to studio photography, playing with light, and fine art were all important to me, so finding a home/studio property with access to an acre of beauty + a separate space for clients was a dream come true.
Currently, my work is inspired by fashion, architecture and movies (specifically Wes Anderson movies!). I love being able to provide a portrait experience that takes a way stress points for my clients as well as leave my clients the legacy of fine art for their home. Portraits are a tether to seasons past; a portal to magical memories; a time machine to yester years. The honor of creating art for my clients will forever be a gift.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Yes! And surprisingly (or not surprisingly), it’s a financial book. Profit First is a book and business model that I highly recommend for small businesses. Profit First lays the foundation for running your business based on what you can afford to do in the present versus what you project or hope to do in the future. It teaches you to take your profit from the beginning, before you pay your expenses! This mindset has been integral for my motivation, spending habits/boundaries, and ensuring that I have the money I need for taxes, operating expenses, etc while still paying myself.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission for my creative journey is to continually be challenged and grow as an artist. This may manifest as lighting my clients differently, self-portrait experimentation, post-processing of portraits, bringing photographic theories to reality, and most recently, photographing personal projects. Living in a constant state of learning is where I thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website:http://www.anjportraitstudio.com
- Instagram: anjportraitstudio
- Facebook: Anj Portrait Studio