Meet Lisa Novitsky . . .

Lisa Novitsky

“Dwell in possibilities…” – Emily Dickinson

Location:  Woodbridge, VA

Children:  Sophie Rei (pronounced “ray”)

Husband:  Bill

Animals:  Ruby (Dog) and Bernie (Cat, her name is short for Bernadette)

Name of Business:  Wizelight Photography

Website:  http://www.wizelight.com/

Blog:  wizelight.blogspot.com

Facebook:  Lisa Novitsky

Twitter:  Wizelight

Email:  lisanovitsky@verizon.net

What’s in your bag? (if you are building your bag, what do you desire for your bag?)

I have a Nikon D700, Nikkor 50mm 1.8, Tamaron 28-75mm 2.8, External Flash, extra battery and lots of memory cards in my bag.

I really want a 70-200mm 2.8 lens and an 80mm 1.4 lens next

What’s your favorite editing software?

I work in Photoshop and I’m learning LightRoom

Favorite Food:

Almost any kind of fresh pasta with sauce.

Favorite Color: 
Red

A few of your favorite things?

My daughter’s authentic laugh, my husband’s smile, babies, reading and the beach.

What inspires you?

Talent of ANY kind. Pure courage and generosity.

Name something you just have to have everyday.

It’s so sad – but I gotta have my coffee in the morning.

Tell us about your journey into the world of photography. When did you realize that this is what you wanted to do and why.

Ever since I can remember I have looked at moments in my life and have also observed moments from afar thinking “I wish I had a camera to capture that.” So this particular artistry has been a part of me since I was very young as I constantly see the world in “snapshots”.

For most of my adult life I trained and worked as an actress in New York, but took a “sabbatical” to marry and start a family in Virginia. A few years ago, with the artist in me yearning to come out, I bought my first Digital SLR (a Nikon D70) and started taking photographs. Friends and family encouraged me to think about photography as a profession and I started my business in the spring of 2009. But I would say that applying for the SOAR! Scholarship is what solidified my intent to call myself a photographer. Putting my dream out there, giving it voice, has been one of the most powerful experiences of my life.

If you already have a photography business please tell us about it, type of photography you do, how long you have been doing it, etc…

I began my business in the spring of 2009 and I primarily take portraits of families, children, babies and seniors – and more recently I’ve begun doing some corporate portraits and event photography.

Who is your favorite photographer that you follow and why?

This is a tough one for me to answer. I'm still learning and I draw inspiration from so many sources. I do have one very famous photograph that I love – Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother”. It is, to me, beautiful in it’s raw honesty. I strive to produce that kind of honesty in my work.

Besides photography, what else do you do, i.e. work, domestic engineer, volunteer?

In addition to photography, I teach dramatic arts to children. I am currently developing a curriculum to take to local private schools.

What are some other hobbies and/or things that you like to do besides photography?

I enjoy writing, LOVE reading ( I usually have 3 – 4 types of books going at once) and yoga.

Do you have any other businesses that you are incorporating and/or combining in your photography business or that is separate other than photography?

I teach drama to kids.

If there is one thing in the world that you would like to change, what would that be and why?

Wow, BIG question, and a really difficult thing to narrow down to just one thing so I’ll write the first thing that came to mind – it seems to me that there is quite a lot of “distraction” in the world. There are now moniters in cabs, elevators, cars, standing in line… We have handheld devices that allow us to be reached anywhere and at anytime and avoid having “space” to think, to pray, to dream, to analyze and create original works. I guess I’d like to see a more of a collective embrace of that “space” and less dependence on the need to be constantly entertained or occupied.

Name three things you would like to do before you die?

1.  Travel throughout the world

2.  Become a certified yoga instructor

3.  Learn to play the guitar

List three goals you would like to accomplish in 2010:

1.  Earn my living entirely through artistic pursuits

2.  Establish a regular fitness routine

3.  Finish taking the remaining wallpaper off of the walls in my house

Please tell us about the photos you are submitting and why they are your favorites.

Fall

This is one of my very first photos of my daughter playing in the leaves - I love the joy.

Sisters

This photo really conveys the relationship of these two sisters.

I was so excited to have captured it.

Julie and Evie

I took this photo shortly after Julie brought Evie home –

she is comforting her here and it's so gentle – beautiful.

Wedding

I had just started shooting on Manual when I took this photo and I like the new quality my photos are taking on here as I begin to understand my camera and light.

These ladies were so delightful and I love this moment between them.

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Thank you Lisa for participating in the Spotlight!  It was wonderful to learn more about you and I wish you luck with your photography business and teaching this year and always!  ♥