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In this episode of the SheClicks Women in Photography Podcast, Angela Nicholson speaks with the multi-talented Delaney McQuown, a photographer, digital technician and artist based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Delaney’s work, which spans commercial and fine art photography, is defined by its vibrant use of colour and a fearless approach to self-portraiture. In 2024, she won the Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers at the World Food Photography Awards (formerly the Pink Lady Food Photography awards)for her striking self-portrait, BLT Contemplation.

Delaney shares how she first discovered photography as a teenager, building on her love for art nurtured in a creatively supportive household. Her education at the University of Cincinnati further honed her skills, combining fine art principles with practical experience through a co-op programme. Now, as a photographer at OMS Photography, she balances the demands of commercial projects with her passion for personal work.

A significant theme of this episode is Delaney’s self-portraiture project, which she describes as a therapeutic journey to embrace her own image. This project has evolved into a series designed to help other women experience the same sense of liberation. Her latest series, *Swimsuit Season*, invites women to shed societal pressures and embrace their authentic selves in a playful and empowering environment.

Angela and Delaney also discuss the challenges and rewards of entering photography competitions, the impact of winning awards, and the importance of persistence. Delaney offers valuable advice for photographers looking to submit their work, encouraging them to trust their intuition and focus on creating for themselves.

Tune in to this inspiring conversation to learn how Delaney is redefining beauty and creativity through her bold and vibrant photography. Don’t miss her practical tips, heartfelt insights, and infectious passion for empowering women through the lens.

Takeaways

1. The Therapeutic Power of Self-Portraiture
Delaney shares how her self-portraiture journey helped her confront insecurities and embrace her image, inspiring her to create empowering experiences for other women.

2. Blending Fine Art and Commercial Photography
Delaney discusses how her fine art background influences her bold, colourful commercial photography, creating a unique and vibrant style.

3. Winning the Claire Aho Award
Delaney reflects on the impact of winning the prestigious Clarie Aho Award, which reignited her passion for entering competitions and validated her creative vision.

4. Encouraging Women to Redefine Beauty
Through projects like Swimsuit Season, Delaney creates spaces for women to express themselves authentically and challenge societal beauty standards.

5. The Importance of Entering Competitions
Delaney emphasises the value of submitting work to competitions, encouraging photographers to embrace the process without fear of rejection.

6. Balancing Commercial Work and Personal Projects
Delaney highlights how her commercial photography job provides technical skills and support, which she applies to her deeply personal creative projects.

Connect with Delaney
Website
Instagram
OMS Photography

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Join us for a special episode of the SheClicks Women in Photography Podcast, where Angela Nicholson, founder of SheClicks, revisits some of her favourite moments from the first 20 episodes. In this highlights episode, we hear insightful answers from 12 talented photographers featured in the popular Six from SheClicks segment.

Cristina Mittermeier opens the episode by discussing how she uses photography to inspire environmental action through powerful storytelling. Tracy Calder shares the creative journey behind her award-winning ‘Plant Scars’ series, while Rachael Talibart explains how weather conditions influence her approach to seascape photography.

Christie Goodwin reflects on managing personal feelings when photographing challenging subjects in the music industry. Fashion photographer Lindsay Adler offers expert tips for working with models, ensuring natural and dynamic poses. Meanwhile, portrait photographer Carolyn Mendelsohn reveals how she creates a collaborative environment that helps subjects feel at ease.
Kate Kirkman explains how she balances her varied photography businesses, from weddings to boudoir and commercial work. Music photographer Scarlet Page shares career advice for aspiring photographers, emphasising persistence and making the most of every opportunity.

Food photographer Donna Crous reveals her sources of inspiration, from seasonal ingredients to vibrant colour combinations. Marina Spironetti highlights what separates great travel photography from holiday snapshots.
Brooke Shaden discusses how creative shifts can lead to unexpected fine art concepts, while Amy Bateman underscores the value of continuous learning to keep evolving as a photographer.

This episode is packed with practical tips, creative insights and personal stories from these extraordinary photographers. Listen now for a dose of inspiration and expert advice to fuel your own photographic journey!

CEWE
Thank you to CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company, for supporting this podcast. CEWE offers an extensive range of high-quality photo products, including the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK.
Now is a great time to look back over the last year and put together a PHOTOBOOK of all your photographic highlights. A CEWE PHOTOBOOK is a great way to remember all those wonderful family gatherings, spontaneous snapshots and epic holidays.

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Jessica McGovern started getting involved with photography at the age of 14 as a way to channel her emotions and find her place in the world. She was drawn to photography because it allowed her to use her hands and her brain, and it provided a physical and mental outlet. Jess started teaching photography organically, answering questions and sharing her knowledge in online communities. She also began teaching in-person workshops and offering one-on-one mentoring.
Jessica has won numerous accolades for her photography, which has helped boost her confidence and establish her credibility in the industry. However, she acknowledges the pressure and potential negative impact of competitions on mental health and advises photographers to seek feedback and take breaks when needed. Jess McGovern shares her personal experiences with miscarriage and her journey in photography. She discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of communication with clients, and the different camera systems for animal photography. She also talks about the Tog Spot community and the benefits of working with dogs and horses.

Takeaways

• Photography can be a powerful emotional outlet and a way to find one's place in the world.
• Teaching photography can happen organically through sharing knowledge and answering questions in online communities.
• Accolades and recognition can boost confidence and establish credibility in the industry.
• Competitions can be both rewarding and challenging, and it's important to prioritize mental health and seek feedback when needed.
• Miscarriage can be a traumatic and isolating experience, and it's important to have support and understanding.
• Effective communication with clients is crucial in photography.
• Working with dogs and horses can be rewarding and challenging, and understanding their behaviour is key to capturing great photos.

Connect with Jessica
Website
That Tog Spot
Facebook
Instagram

Sony
This podcast is supported by Sony, maker of class-leading camera equipment and cutting-edge technologies – like the Global Shutter in the Alpha 9 III which won the SheClicks 2024 Award for Innovation.

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