Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyson Magda.
Allyson, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve been a creative being since my feet hit the earth! I was born and raised on the Coast of S California, moving north to study art in college. For 14 years I was a serious student of classical piano, I truly believe it gave me the discipline to be where I am today. Eventually I earned my degree in Fine Art and Art History from UC Santa Cruz.
My photography career started while in college, exploring different uses of the medium and subjects. I quickly learned I LOVED photographing people, at that time, mostly children. My wings and career spread like wildfire after graduation and I became one of the most sought-after wedding photographers in the Bay Area. 15 years ago, I moved to the Central Coast, and it’s still my home base today. Although regularly my commissions take me beyond our little community. We live in paradise on the Central Coast (San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles), but I adore traveling. My favorite places to shoot are vibrant, laid back and happy … Mexico is on the top of my list!
Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of photographing so many amazing moments in people’s lifetimes, including the weddings and families of the Zuckerberg’s, the Hearst’s, and many musicians; Jackson Browne, Matt Mangano, Michael Landau, to name a few.
Since I was a young child, I always knew I’d end up in the arts, as a career and hobby. Be it music, ceramics, drama or photography … Photography is where my passion lies. I feel so lucky to have this as my career for almost 20 years. Recently I’ve been growing my fine art brand. It’s the most exciting thing I have done yet! I can’t wait to see where it goes!!!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
PORTRAIT WORK Core to my philosophy is that every human possesses innate beauty. People look best when they are free to be themselves, and the ability to see and capture that, is a gift. Mostly my work takes me to beautiful places, with people looking their most glamorous, however, I don’t find it a challenge to capture my subjects beautifully in any situation, after all, there is beauty in ALL THINGS, it’s just a matter of seeing it, and capturing it. It’s my desire that each person I photograph feels beautiful, that they are able to see their beauty, as a reminder to themselves and what they bring to this planet and the people around them.
FINE ART My fine art work is explosion of color and energy. I feel like the work is an unleashing of trapped energy in a static object. It’s full of joy, light, motion and vibrance. My hope is that viewers experience everyday objects in a form never seen before. Things are not always as they seem.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
Absolutely!!! I feel like it’s a shift for the better. There’s more art being viewed, exposed and sold today than ever, thanks to the internet and social media. We are more connected than ever and have opportunities to showcase not only in our local communities, but abroad as well. I feel like the role of the artist has gotten more complex. In the old school days, you’d go nowhere without and agent. Today you can go as far as wide as you’re willing to work, and the ball is in the artist’s court.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work is featured on my website: www.allysonmagda.com Currently I sell a handful of fine art prints and metal prints on Etsy. Viewers can support by liking our Instagram and Facebook pages, and purchasing fine art or booking a portrait or wedding!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.allysonmagda.com
- Phone: 805-459-2704
- Email: allyson@allysonmagda.com
- Instagram: www.instargram.com/allymagdaphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/allysonmagdaphotography
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/allymagdaphoto
- Other: www.allysonmagda.com/blog
Image Credit:
Allyson Magda Photography
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