Meet Joanna Stadelman | Lifestyle Photographer

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

Hi Joanna, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Work-wise, it makes me so happy when I see clients getting together for photos with their extended families. Sometimes it’s been years since grandparents have seen their grandchildren or since siblings have gotten together. Getting to document their time together brings a smile to my face every single time. I also love capturing milestone moments – from the arrival of a new baby or a senior’s graduation portraits to a 1st or 80th birthday celebration. I always feel extremely fortunate that my clients have chosen ME to capture these special memories. I also love watching people who might be more shy around a camera warm up to the lens and let their authentic selves shine through. And of course, it delights me when people love their photos! Life can change so much from day to day and year to year, so it’s a joy to freeze time for my clients and provide memories for them to look back on with their future generations.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think one thing that sets me apart is the variety of photo shoots that I do. I don’t have a specialty like some photographers do who focus on weddings, newborns, grads, etc. Specialty photographers have a lot of value but, with my personality, I thrive having an assortment of different types of sessions.

While I love my go-to photo spots during golden-hour — I also enjoy the challenge of new-to-me locations, or shoots in the morning or mid-day light. My main editing style is colorful and bright, but I do have clients who request subdued hues or moody tones. Having sessions with conditions I’m not used to or editing in a different style has helped me to grow a lot as a photographer. I think there’s value in going outside of one’s comfort zone to tackle new situations like that! My main goal is to deliver photos my clients will love and enjoy no matter the when or where of their session.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I was born in Tucson so love showing visitors around our beautiful city! We have taken guests to the Desert Museum, Sabino Canyon, Catalina State Park, Gate’s Pass, La Encantada, Agua Caliente Park, Mercado San Agustin, the University of Arizona, Reid Park Zoo, Bookman’s, and the Tucson Children’s Museum to name a few.

As for food spots some that we love are Prep & Pastry, the Blue Willow, Pinnacle Peak (wear a tie!), Guadalajara Grill, Frost gelato, Beyond Bread, Coffee Times, Rocco’s Pizzeria, Seis Kitchen, El Molinito, Calle Tepa, and No Anchovies. Tucson has SO many great local spots! Going downtown can also be really fun, as well as driving or walking through Barrio Viejo to see all of the beautiful homes that are located in that area. We are close to Tombstone and Bisbee which are great places to visit as well!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
What would a photographer be without a camera? I owe my love of photography to my dad who gave me my first camera when I was a little girl. (He also gave me my second, third, fourth, fifth and so on cameras!) He provided me with limitless rolls of film and had all of those rolls developed and printed for me (we are talking thousands of photos!) What’s ironic is that he hates having his photo taken; he mainly takes photos of nature and wildlife. He has (mostly) been such a great sport with letting me take his photos though, even doing a couple’s shoot with my mom in the desert last year. (I still laugh at the poses I made them do!) I also can’t forget my mom, who is my best friend and biggest cheerleader! When I first told her about wanting to start taking professional photos, her response was, “That’s a great idea! And it’s about time!”

Another big shoutout to my husband and children! I would not be able to do what I do if they were not 100% on board. My husband manages the kids like a pro while I’m gone and will shuffle his schedule around to accommodate mine. Our oldest son is my biggest hype guy, and has even come to photoshoots with me to help get some genuine smiles out of the kids in front of my lens. I greatly appreciate their sacrifices and am beyond thankful to have the support system that I do.

And also a thank you to the many friends and family whose faces are on the thousands of printed photos I mentioned earlier. From my friend Chelsea who posed with my pet parakeet for a photo shoot in the fourth grade, to my Uncle Jim who only gives me 2 minutes to snap pics before he hides my camera at family functions, and everyone in between. I appreciate you all!

Website: https://www.lemonandlily.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemon.and.lily/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lemonandlilyphotography/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lemon-lily-photography-oro-valley?osq=photographer