Movers & Shakers > SnapShot Ninja Photography

SnapShot Ninja Photography

Annalisa Hackleman of SnapShot Ninja Photography

by Cary

What inspired you to pick up a camera?

In high school, I wanted to take a photography class but I could never get into one. My first semester of college in 2003, I decided to enroll in a beginning Black & White Film photography and immediately fell in love. I soon started doing work as a music event photographer for local bands- concert photography definitely is something that has kept me working towards bettering my skills and doing what I do now. In 2009, I moved with my husband to Southern California and had nothing but time on my hands. One day, I stumbled across ModelMayhem.com and decided to make a profile. From then on I haven't put my camera down.

What particular challenges do you face with Pinup photography as opposed to other genres?

At first, I actually really didn't like shooting Pinup. It was a lot harder to shoot correctly than I thought, getting the models in the right pose, doing the hairstyles.

I realized I kept doing it because I enjoyed the challenge, and once I accepted the challenge things started coming together.

I think it was very important for me to learn the lesson to not just stick with what I'm comfortable with and always push myself to do bigger and better things.

Do you prefer to shoot with film or digital?

Digital is what I use now, however I have been planning a series of portraits that I would like to do completely with film.

Ideally, I would prefer to be in a darkroom instead of at the computer-but at the moment, I work primarily with digital.

In the next few months, I will be working in b&w film for a new project I have in mind.

How did you become interested in Pinup style?

I always loved Pinup style-the fact that I am plus size and that Pinup is one of the main curve friendly genres really cinched it for me while growing up.

Plus-Size women are usually most interested in shooting Pinup-and my ultimate goal is to make women of all shapes and sizes feel confident, classy and sexy-Pinup allows for them to feel that way.