Photography Galleries
Annie Crawley Photography
All of my photos are available for publicity. Please let me know your needs for web or print.
I
have many galleries up on Flickr. Please have a look through them and tell me what you think! We add images to flickr on a regular basis. If you are interested in using any of my images for media or commercial use, please contact me directly at annie at anniecrawley dot com. You can also check out some of my fine art prints and limited edition posters, greeting cards and more photographic products here at www.diveintoyourimagination.com/store. I also have a couple hundred videos on www.youtube.com/anniecrawley If you are interested in how I started in photography, underwater photography and film, read on!
Fighting Illini Steve Bardo Annie Crawley Photo
For the past two decades, I have traveled the world with a camera in my hand, documenting life both above the water line and below. Trained as a photo and broadcast journalist at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, I have my roots in sports photography. Professor Brian Johnson was my first mentor. He found me an old Olympus camera and lens to shoot with before I could afford my own camera. I still remember the first day of my advanced class when everyone showed up with high end Nikon and Cannon systems and I did not even have a camera, I was going to drop the class. It was as if Brian could read my mind. Brian asked me to stay after class. “Annie, don’t drop this class. I will find you a camera. You need to be in this class.” That was it. Brian was not a man of many words, but that was all I needed to hear. It is amazing how we could look back at our lives and how one moment in time, our entire lives can change. I did not drop that class, I allowed myself to believe Brian and still find myself most at home behind the lens.
New Zealand Rodeo Photo Annie Crawley
Addicted to sports photography, when I ended up in New Zealand photographing the summer circuit of the New Zealand Rodeo, I felt right at home even though I was from Chicago and had never lived on a farm! Ten years after my first photo journalism class, my life changed again. I had become a PADI scuba diving instructor and had traveled the world. At the time, we were still shooting film and cameras were very expensive. I sold my car and bought my first underwater photo and video housings so I could become an underwater photographer and filmmaker. Brian Johnson believed in me in a way nobody else had in my life. “Sometimes you need one other person to believe in you until you can believe in yourself.” If you would have told me at 20 years old that I would go on to become an award winning underwater photographer and filmmaker, I do not think I would have believed you. I am proof that no dream can be too great. We have greatness within us, all we have to do is tap into the unlimited potential that lies inside of us.
The company I founded, www.DiveIntoYourImagination.com, produces multi-media products to change the way a new generation views the Ocean and themselves. Being able to express my thoughts and ideas through photography, writing, and producing have been some of the greatest gifts my teachers and mentors have given to me. All of the work in the Dive Into Your Imagination series was sparked because someone saw a talent in me that I did not see in myself. I remember these moments in time. I also make sure that I let other people know when they are doing a great job, or when I see a talent in someone else that they might not see in themselves. Sometimes we are too close to what is happening within us. Since that time, I have developed many skills. One I learned while studying different philosophies. Philip Moffit wrote the book, Dancing With Life, based on the teachings of The Four Noble Truths. I learned in order to truly see myself for myself that I could not look at life through my eyes. I had to learn to be the paparazzi of my life, looking at life from above and around me, not only through my own eyes.
Everyone has a story to tell. I tell my stories through writing, photography, producing and speaking. We should never let our stories get in the way of what the audience wants to hear. I would love to hear from you. Let me know if you want to see any of my images or collections that might not be posted yet, and I will be sure to get them up for you! And if you are looking for a dynamic speaker for an upcoming event or for someone to lead an interesting workshop, I am the person to call! I look forward to speaking with you.
Category : Blog &Education &Empowerment &Entertainment &Environment
