Meet Dulcey Lima | Fine Art Nature Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dulcey Lima and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dulcey, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve had multiple careers during my work life–all of them involving what would be considered a traditional art form like photography, or applied medical arts like orthotic intervention or occupational therapy. Each profession requires a creative approach to a subject to enhance or expose its form, improve function, or promote well being. At this writing, photography is my professional direction. I find that my images can have a therapeutic effect on observers by directing their focus to a subject’s hidden details, context, or wonderful features never before seen. It is this relationship between my art and the viewer or receiver of the intervention that has provided a consistent touchstone throughout my career. Art and creativity allow me to engage with the natural world and people–which is nurturing to me and is also healing to the individuals viewing my art.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I use a variety of techniques to photographically expose the essence of a subject in nature. It encourages the viewer to see something new, interesting, or surprising in plants, animals, insects, forests, deserts–any ecosystem on the planet. My photography is differentiated by its innovative use of paint and special effects applied when it will enhance the image, the compositional components and the natural subject matter.

Millions of people worldwide enjoy photography as a hobby. Making the leap to a professional career requires equipment costing thousands of dollars, technical knowledge from classes, mentors and thousands of hours of hands on practice. The outlay of money for a professional website and equipment requires a leap of faith in one’s ability, a survey of potential customers, interviews with others who have made photography a career and confidence in one’s own ability to succeed.

I learned that one must keep a close eye on expenses. I recently sold a large photograph and made very little profit because the raw material prices had increased without me increasing my own fees. I learned that you have to keep introducing images nearly daily to continue engaging your audience. I’ve also learned to ask supporters to share my posts with their social media contacts and friends. It is not easy to request that kind of support, but I’ve become more comfortable with doing so over time. I’ve found that my followers are very willing to share my work when they love it themselves.

I love the way I feel when I am outside in nature with my camera in hand. It requires my full attention, has become a daily meditation, and provides a positive spin to my images. I can not imagine my life without photography and am blessed to have found a profession that can engage other people in nature’s beauty.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many spectacular places to experience in Tucson and the surrounding area. I would take my friend to Sabino Canyon on a few of the hikes there including the Phoneline, 7 Falls, and a walk to Sabino Dam. The tram ride through the canyon is also a highlight. We would also go to the Douglas Spring Trailhead, part of Saguaro East Rincon District and hike as far as we wanted toward Bridal Veil Falls or beyond. Another great hike at Saquaro East and suitable for most hikers is the Cactus Forest Trail which traverses the park. At Saguaro West on the other side of town, we could take the Wild Dog trail and hike among the cactus and interesting rock formations. Signal Hill with its petroglyphs is also a highlight there.

We would go to Guadalajara on Prince to enjoy their delicious margaritas and Mexican food. Noodleholics on Grand or in Oro Valley serve up some wonderful noodle dishes, and for a quick lunch, El Taco Tote is a favorite spot. The Loft Cinema is a terrific theater that always has interesting movies to enjoy and there are lots of good musical acts coming through the Tucson Theater District.

A two hour drive trip Chiricahua National Monument with its hoodoos and interesting rock formations is a great way to see very different terrain. Whitewater Draw is a terrific place to see thousands of Sandhill Cranes, and near by Madera Canyon is another beautiful and completely different ecosystem than the one found in Tucson’s Sonoran Desert.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my colleagues at the Morton Arboretum Photographic Society who support and promote nature photography as an art form through professional speakers, photography outings and exhibitions where I have been able to display my work. My husband and children have proudly encouraged me to reach out professionally to experience my photographic career path and direction. Mentors like Deanna Fish and Mardell Pizzoferrato have given me countless opportunities to gain confidence in my speaking ability and leadership skills. Professional photographers Mike Moats (macro photography) and Tom Mangelsen (wildlife photography) have not only taught me specific techniques, but how to really see a subject and bring it to life. Photo Pills creator, Rafael Pons, has created an app that stimulates my curiosity, and provides tools for imagining and creating the special night photography images I love to shoot.

Website: dulceylima.zenfolio.com

Instagram: @dulceylima