What makes me tick...
What is your favourite thing to photograph and why?
Children and infants are my favourite subjects. They are always authentic in front of the camera. It's easy to capture raw emotion since they aren't self-conscious about what they may or may not look like. Plus, they love to have fun during a session and so do I!
When did you start photography?
I've loved photography as long as I can remember. There's something about looking back at a great photograph and remembering how you felt or being able to feel someone else's emotion through an image.
When I was a child I loved looking through my Grandmother's photo albums and as soon as I could get my hands on my very own point and shoot (at age 12) I began capturing my own memories. Luckily for me, that was also the most awkward phase of adolescence and I have a million photos to remember my love for thick black eyeliner and teased to the max bleach blonde hair.
Around age 14 my mom lent me her film camera to play around with. The quality of images and the tones it produced stole my heart. Film will always be my favourite and I still often use this camera for personal and travel photography.
I got my first DSLR in my early twenties and fell even deeper in love with the art of photography. I haven't looked back since.
Which is your favourite lens? Why?
Sigma 24mm 1.4 ART. I love the perspective it gives for family sessions.
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?
After a three week Europe trip in 2017, I would really like to go back and explore some more. Right now the number one place on my list is Cappadocia, Turkey. Every morning at sunrise hundreds of hot air balloons depart filling the sky. It looks incredible and it's a dream of mine to go experience and photograph the magic.
What is your favourite snack?
Chips!! I may have a low-key addiction.
What made you decide to start a photography business?
I had worked in childcare for many years when one night I was laying in bed scrolling through Instagram for photography inspiration. I came across some amazing newborn images and thought to myself "I could learn to do that!"
I was surprised it had taken me that long to realize I could combine my two passions, photography and children, into one incredibly exciting and fulfilling career. I made a list of things to research and learn and what kind of business I would want to create for myself before bed and got to work the next morning.
Maia Anstey Photography has grown in ways I could have never even imagined and I am so grateful every day to be able to share my passion with so many amazing people.
3 things that make you happy?
Summer. I love the sun, the outdoors, the long days and warm nights, swimming in the ocean, bike rides along the seawall, really I could go on forever, summer is the best!
Friends and family. I'm lucky to have such an amazing support network. I couldn't do what I do without them.
Artistic expression. I love collaborating with other artists as well as creating self-portraits to convey a message and create something beautiful.
What inspires you?
People. Mainly the ways in which people interact with each other, the little intricacies that make us all unique, and the bonds between loved ones.
What do you do when you're not taking photos?
I love to hike and explore the outdoors. I combat my chip addiction with as many spin classes as I can fit into the week. It's basically the most fun exercise class you'll ever find! I enjoy reading and have recently started a book club with some of the amazing, powerful women in my life. I find great joy in cooking healthy delicious meals but also eating a tub of ice cream and marathoning Grey's Anatomy. It's about balance right?
