Hi! I’m Krystle, part of the team here at Formula One Actions and we are super excited to announce our new series we call “One on One.”  Here we will interview and feature some of the hottest new photographers and vendors in the industry.  So, without further delay, I introduce to you our first photographer.  We asked Harmony of Harmony Loves if she would give us a few minutes of her busy day to talk about, well, herself. She agreed and here we are! Harmony feeds our love for California photographers and we are so excited to debut our One on One series with her! So here she is, in the raw… Harmony, you rock! Thanks for letting us pick your brain! Check her out at  www.HarmonyLovesBlog.com or visit her website at www.HarmonyLoves.com

One on One with Harmony Loves

We love your name! What’s the story behind it?
It’s a really long story! So I’ll cut it short for you, you’ll thank me later
But basically, I didn’t want to, actually couldn’t, use my name. It’s quite difficult and a little weird… Harmony Ch’an is my first and middle name and my last name Ayala isn’t any easier to pronounce so I was in a bit of a predicament. I didn’t want to use just Harmony because there are a million and one companies, photography and otherwise that just name their company Harmony so the originality is out the door. So at first I just called my business “H” but that just didn’t fit me and didn’t last long. You’re probably wondering if this was the short version, trust me it is. I love people, I love things, I love helping people, I love photography… I just love! And I have a bad habit of saying I love everything “ooooh, I love that!” “Oh my gosh I love it!” “that’s so cute, I love that!” Oh, I could go on! And so, Harmony Loves was born.

In learning that cupcakes are your favorite dessert, if you owned a cupcake bakery what would be your best seller?
I don’t know if I could just have one best seller…. I would have two! Chocolate and Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting!

On your days off, what do you love to do?
What are days off? No, I’m kidding, I’m not there just yet
I love to read, watch t.v. (biggest loser, glee, keeping up with the kardashians) and although I don’t love to run, I do.

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What inspires you as a photographer?
Making people smile! Movies, music videos and fashion magazines.

How would you describe your style?
Clean Fresh Modern

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How do you decide what to photograph?
I spent the last ten years as a high school teacher and counselor, so I love photographing high school seniors. I love their energy and I just have a blast every time!  I never really wanted to do weddings, but then I photographed one and then I was hooked. So, seniors and weddings it is!
What type of camera do you use?
I use a Canon 5D Mark II

What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?
I would say my hand strap. I don’t like the neck strap, I like to just have my camera in my hand and that helps me not to drop it.

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If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
That’s hard! If you would’ve asked me two months ago, I would’ve said the 50mm 1.2. If you would’ve asked me two weeks ago, I would’ve said the 85mm 1.2 but now I’m kinda torn between the 85mm 1.2 and the 35mm 1.4.

What’s the best decision you made when you first started out as a photographer?
I think the best decision I made was to actually start. I was scared to even start. I had never used a dslr before and didn’t have a clue what I was doing.

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I’ve learned the most from…
I learned the most from actually getting out there and shooting.

What advice would you give to the photographers that may be starting out and new to the business?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, it’s all in the learning process, it’s inevitable.

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All images ©2010 Harmony Loves Photography