ANGIE KLAUS UNRAVELED: AN INTERVIEW.
Angie Klaus is a storytelling photographer and filmmaker specializing in birth and family photojournalism. In addition to shooting, Angie enjoys mentoring, teaching, and writing articles on photography. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband + three kids and a dog. Filled with perpetual wanderlust, Angie loves traveling to experience new cultures and food, but while on-call for births she fulfills her craving for adventure closer to home with local hikes and nature exploration. Her passion for art and creativity is what drew us to her and her powerful and intense images are what keep us loving her work day after day.
Angie Klaus' Course on Birth Photography & Videography goes live in our school TOMORROW. So if you are not already enrolled, do so now for only $10.00 A MONTH.
And now, here is Angie Klaus, unraveled....
What inspires your art?
The promise of memories inspires my art. I have a poor long-term memory and photos are so comforting to guide my recollection of daily life, events, and people, so my goal as a photojournalist in creating photographs and films is always to invest in memories by seeking out authentic connections and meaningful story where it dwells naturally, and preserving it artfully for myself and my clients. While shooting within a story, I’m further inspired by light, movement, sound, and emotion. At births, I find myself intensely inspired by a woman’s strength.
What do you shoot with? Camera body and favorite lens?
I currently shoot on a pair of Nikon D750s and I’m waiting on a D850 to arrive. My two favorite lenses are the Sigma Art 24 and Sigma Art 35.
What other ways do you express your creativity?
I like writing, scrapbooking, and watercoloring.
How do you de-stress at the end of the day?
I can usually be found editing at my computer once the kids go to bed, but I’m not a high-stress person so that lifestyle works for now. I am introverted, so just being alone helps me unwind. When I carve out time to fully relax, it’s generally on the couch next to my husband with Netflix, beer, and some kind of dessert. Sounds pretty sweet right about now.
What kind of music do you listen to while editing?
I listen to Pandora stations: Sylvan Esso, Passenger, Sia, Ed Sheeran are some of my faves for editing.
What is your favorite book?
As a lit major, I find myself totally overthinking this. :) But I can say with certainty the most important book in my life is The Bible.
Name one movie that inspires you.
The Shawshank Redemption
How do you handle self-doubt or creative slumps?
I expect them, so when they come I’m OK with it because I know they will pass. During my creative slump earlier this year I did a lot of personal work with a new Lensbaby and that helped pull me out of it.
What has been the most difficult part of your creative journey?
I find work-life balance challenging and until recently I haven’t been good about prioritizing self-care. I am an empath, so I feel everything deeply and I want to do and be so much for those around me, and for the greater world. I want to do my best work for my clients, be a good support when my family, friends, and fellow creatives need me, be an active and present parent, a supportive and attentive wife, volunteer for causes I care about, travel and live my own stories, make meaningful art...the list goes on and on. It’s difficult to feel pulled in so many directions and not have the time to do it all. Because of this, my house is usually the first to go. :) I outsource the main cleaning and I’m not gonna lie...it looks pretty rough in between those visits. But that’s ok because it’s just not my priority in this season of life.
Who is one of your favorite photographers?
I love following great wedding cinematographers because it’s similar to what I do as a birth photographer--high stakes, highly emotive, keepsake storytelling--yet so different as they tell their stories with more innovative and dynamic techniques, so even after immersing myself and being inspired, I still remain true to my own style and voice. I’m currently fangirling over Riccardo Fasoli’s work.
And lastly, please enjoy one of the beautiful birth videos that Angie has created and do not forget to enroll in the school, if you haven't already, to learn from her!
