Your Take contributor profile: Liz Daino
Liz Daino says she always wakes up with a strong desire to photograph something new. And in New Orleans, a city known for its rich culture and diverse populations, it's easy to do.
"In New Orleans, every street corner is different," she says. "Every day is a different experience. It is unpredictable. A love affair. I am lucky enough to not only live here, but make a living by showcasing all the reasons why."
Since she joined Your Take, Daino's work has been featured on USA TODAY's website and Your Take's socialaccounts, images that capture the beauty of the fabled city. In one recent contribution, Daino's stunning series of portraits captures the faces of Mardi Gras, a select few of the thousands of revelers who flocked to the French Quarter decked out in beads, jewels and feathers.
Daino's favorite place to shoot is New Orleans City Park, one of the nation's oldest urban parks. She says she can walk around every day and find something new that she loves about it.
"The process of simply walking around a neighborhood to explore my surroundings or editing is a natural high for me," Daino says. "You never know what you are going to stumble upon, especially in New Orleans, so it is an exciting experience to say the least."
A New York native, Daino has lived in post-Katrina New Orleans for almost nine years. "I have seen the revitalization of this city and the cultural aspects alone have been the perfect platform for me to take my love for photography to the next level."
Daino's photography started as a hobby until she shot her first engagement session for two friends. Soon after, she says, began to get more inquiries. Now, she has transformed the hobby into a business -- but the transition was a challenge.
"There are different dynamics and responsibilities involved, but that initial difficulty has really pushed me in a positive direction both personally and professionally."
She uses a Nikon D600 for most shots but sometimes uses her iPhone. "In my eyes, it doesn't matter what I am using as long as I feel inspired to share what I find beautiful," she said.
Daino says she edits her photos to varying degrees; most require minor cropping, sharpening and saturation adjustments, which she does in Photoshop. Even so, she says she tries to keep them true to the original image.
Daino says photography allows her to express her creativity. She gets to demonstrate what she finds compelling and is involved in documenting important moments in people's lives. "The process is rewarding in itself," she says.
To see more of Daino's Your Take submissions, visit her contributor profile here. You can learn more about her photography on her personal website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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