Lisa Sibley
PV: Why did you choose this business or line of work?
LS: I come from a creative family that includes photographers. Photography came naturally and I fell in love with working with people in order to help document their lives. I started very young and my focus has changed as my life has changed. When my children were young I photographed mostly young children so I could take my kids to work with me. Now my primary client is a business who needs marketing images or women over 35 who are rediscovering themselves and want to be captured in an Intimate Portrait.
PV: What is your primary role or duty in
your company?
LS: I am the owner and chief photographer of Graffiti Atelier Gallery and Lisa Sibley Photography. I do it all. From photography to marketing, sales, writing business plans, and teaching classes. I also restore old or damaged photographs. Often I am asked to restore an image of a family member for a memorial or family book. I am always honored to be included in people’s lives at such an emotional time.
PV: What sets you apart from your competition?
LS: As an individual we each see things differently. I am able to create a fun, inviting environment where all of my subjects feel comfortable to allow their inner spirit to shine through so I can capture the real person. I connect with people.
“It is my soul inspired passion to capture moments in time for me and those who walk through the world.”
PV: What would you be doing now if it weren’t for your business, taking money out of the equation?
LS: I would be traveling as a documentary photographer for National Geographic or Life Magazine.
PV: What do you do for fun?
LS: Photography is still what I do for fun. You may find me shooting a landscape, an old building, or even a protest rally. But I do have big fun shopping with my daughter.
PV: Who or what is most important to you, personally or professionally?
LS: Personally my children, hands down. They have been the center of my life. They are now grown but I am fascinated everyday by watching them grow into meaningful adults. I am a perfectionist in all parts of my life. Professionally I strive to do my very best to meet the needs of all my clients and provide them with a quality product that will last their lifetime and beyond.
PV: A little secret about you that would shock those who don’t know you!
LS: I’m a NASCAR fan!
PV: What are your personal and professional mottos?
LS: There are several things that I use in my everyday life but the two most important are treat others as you would like to be treated and “the glass is always half full!” Of course I use those both professionally too but the other that I use professionally is “do what you love and the money will come.” For me it’s not about the money.
PV: When you were five, what was your dream to be when you grew up?
LS: Well this will shock everyone that knows me but I was influenced by my grandmother but mostly by Sally Field, I wanted to be a nun. I probably wanted to fly off balconies like she did in “The Flying Nun”.
PV: Have you achieved all or most of your dreams thus far?
LS: No and I probably will not. I dream every day. If I achieve all of them then it’s “game over”. However, I am very blessed and I have achieved many of my dreams. I look forward to many, many more.
My professional career began in 1992; however, my interest in photography began in 1974, first being influenced by two uncles who were photographers.
I have worked as a photographic portrait artist, photojournalist, photo-restoration artist, and commercial photographer; capturing my images using various traditional and non-traditional techniques such as infrared photography, SX 70 Polaroid manipulations and transfers, black and white photography, and mixed media which include digital ART and acrylics.
My memberships include Professional Photographers of America, the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Tarpon Springs Historical Society, and Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce. Recently I have been named to the Creative Advisory Board of the Florida Center for Creative Photography.
I have been a contributing photojournalist to the Jupiter Courier, in Jupiter, Florida, a member of the National Press Photographers Association, and the Lighthouse Camera Club. Following Hurricane Katrina I traveled to New Orleans with Operation Photo Rescue where I assisted in restoring water damaged photographs. I have taught summer photo camps to tweens and teens, and led Photoshop classes for adults.
I have been featured in Tampa Bay Woman’s Women in Business and I am a featured artist in the Tampa Bay Business Journal Book of Lists 2011 and 2012.
Currently I am a senior Visual Arts student at Eckerd College, the photographer for Panache Vue’ Magazine and owner of Graffiti Atelier Gallery and Lisa Sibley Photography in Tarpon Springs, FL.
