A Kick Up The Arts #31: Ann Thompson

THE ARTIST by The Artist

As a child I was fascinated by pictures. I’d often be found with a family photo album in my hands, flicking through them. I suppose what interested me then is what has me hooked today. Being able to timelessly capture special memories and then looking back reminiscing about a glimpse in time.

When I’m shooting someone’s wedding or quietly capturing a newborn baby’s innocent moments, I’m inspired by knowing that’s these are the pictures that someone will be looking back on with that same reminiscent joy that I get from flicking through those family albums.

Art, graphic design and photography were my passion at school. When I left school I went to study graphic design in St John College in my native Cork City, and then I went to America for a while, and it’s here where my photography addiction got its hooks into me.

It started as a hobby, a way to relieve stress and express myself. The simplest of walks became distinctly memorable by just bringing my camera.

When I returned to Ireland I began working with autistic children. I loved them and the work dearly. Two things helped me to cope with some of the unanswered questions that this work brought up in me. My faith in God and my photography.

I decided to return to St John College once again. This time to major in photography. Wedding photography fell in front of me one day when one of my tutors asked me to second shoot for him at a wedding. I was stiff with nerves but filled with excitement at the opportunity to express myself and give this couple some moments to forever remember.

That wedding will be ten years ago this summer! A couple of years later I said, “now is my time to step out of the boat” – and that’s when I started Photos By Annie. Right at the start of Ireland’s stormy economic downturn is when I stepped out.

Since then I have travelled back to America, meeting and learning from two of my favourite international wedding photographers, Jasmine Star and Jana Williams. I love how they both represent the atmosphere of a wedding with all its emotion and passion in just a few photos. It is their documentary-style weddings that resonates with how I take photos of a couple’s big happy day. These type of weddings have attracted the attention of Ireland’s leading weddings website, One Fab Day, who have featured my work.

In recent years I’ve taken a keen interest in photographing newborn babies. Since having my own baby boy, River, hardly a day goes by that one of his easy-to-miss moments hasn’t been captured in a photo. The poor child! His early-days photos are some of my most memorable. He was seriously ill when he was born and we nearly lost him. I think that’s why I value those photos. I look at these photos of him in the hospital, and while they are memories of a difficult time, they give me reason to celebrate every time I look back at them.

My most recent learning escapade took me to study under the guidance of a world-renowned baby photographer, Lisa Poshni, from Cananda. Her skill and accuracy behind a camera drew me to discover a deep respect for her
work. Her photos make you stop in your tracks and marvel at the beauty of babies new to this world. She teaches everything from holding the babies, swaddling and wrapping them, watching what’s going on around them with mum and dad, and, most importantly, patiently waiting for those tears to pass away so you can catch another memory.

Today my work focuses mainly on wedding photography, newborn and family photography. I also take photos of a wide variety of products for artisan producers, both in Ireland and abroad, and work with architectural firms finding the best ways to show the reality and creativity of their building designs and their finished constructions.

My Inspirations

Jasmine Star
I love this photo because while the couple are the main subject it also captures the amazing colours and textures in the details of the wedding decor.

Jana Williamson
This photo for me displays the way Jana brilliantly uses the amazing light that the LA sunshine gives to so many of her photos. Often as a photographer too much light can be a challenge. She uses this to her advantage.

Lisa Poshni
Newborn photography is all about giving the parents some of the details that are often forgotten such as chubby toes or fluffy baby hair. This is why I love this picture. Mum and dad won’t forget how cute this baby was for their head to their toes.

My Work

A Couple’s Tender Grasp
I love how the light in this photo brilliantly frames the tender grasp this couple shared as they strolled during their engagement shoot.

Nature’s Embrace
This photo sings about texture! The way the bamboo surrounds them shows how nature’s love to us frames their love for each other.

Sleeping In Heavenly Peace
This baby looks so relaxed and cosy. The light gently touches his face as he sleeps soundly, with one hand under his face.

You can check out Photos By Annie further on her website here, Instagram here or on Facebook here. You can also contact Annie on [email protected] or 0863324452.