We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Diani. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.
Stephanie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
Yes and YES.
I love my job, I love 99% of my job. Which is to say I love the act and art of making of photographs in collaboration with subjects; creating a safe space for people to be themselves, or someone else, in front of my camera; solving logistical issues and overcoming practical obstacles; creating amazing light. It’s all incredibly fun.
I’m not so fond of the dry periods when no work is coming in and I just assume I’ll never work again. When those periods go on too long I start wondering about what life would be like with a regular paycheck, vacation days and a 401K.
Stephanie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am an entertainment and portrait photographer, based in New York City, originally from California.
I grew up wanting to be Indiana Jones and so got a BA in Classical Archaeology — only to then realize what I really wanted to do was be a photographer. Years of self-teaching/learning curving followed, which ultimately led to newspaper, magazine and entertainment-related commissions. Except the whole process wasn’t as smooth as that may sound.
I now have a studio in the Flatiron district (she’s gorgeous, her informal name is Ripcord) and work both there an on location around the country and the world. I love what I do with a passion, have a cinematic lighting style, a calm presence on set, and keep productions on time and on-budget. I have talent-whispered everyone from A-list actors to CEOs to 22-year-old rescue dogs.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I don’t know that I can point to one thing in particular that illustrates my resilience, I feel like it’s more the fact that I’ve survived as a full-time photographer since 1998, and freelance since 2001, that shows resilience. Every rejection, every recession, the pandemic, relocation across the country, taking the leap to go freelance — all of these are terrifying, heartbreaking, gob-smacking obstacles/choices/risks that — at least for me have — been synonymous with being a creative since the beginning. It’s never been easy, nothing is ever guaranteed. I get knocked down, I get up again. Some days it takes longer than others to get back up.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
When things go well, inspiration strikes, my subject dances the dance with me, then my heart sings. There is no better feeling than getting into the zone with someone and knowing that magic is happening. Letting the process flow, allowing for accidents, being prepared for anything, and then in the moment reacting with intuition, experience and skill — that is what is so rewarding for me. Getting collaborators on the same team and in sync quickly, getting us all pulling in the same direction, and making something beautiful – it’s the best feeling in the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stephaniediani.com
- Instagram: @stephaniedianiphoto
Image Credits
photos by Stephanie Diani