Meet Lisa Waddell | Fine Art Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Waddell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, how do you define success?
I define success by what I have accomplished over any given period of time. I am a task oriented person so I like to get stuff done. I am not so driven, however, that I cease to recognize that small accomplishments are just as important as the large ones. One day is a success because I finished the laundry. Another day is a success because I sold some of my art.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. After living in Cincinnati, Ohio for several years I moved to Houston, Texas and continued my career in the legal field. When life threw me a little curveball I decided to switch careers, returned to school to obtain my teaching certificate and enjoyed working as a special education teacher for over 20 years. Post retirement I established myself as a fine art photographer. My award winning images have been included in many juried exhibitions nationally and internationally and I now sell my photographs to complete strangers; not just family and friends! I also take great pleasure and pride in my work with my local chapter of National Assistance League, (Assistance League of Montgomery County).

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There is an almost never ending list of places to go, things to see and food to eat in the Houston area. I would take first time visitors to the Museum of Fine Art Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, The Menil Collection, the Art Car Museum and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. There would also be a visit to Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo. Depending on the time of year, a visit to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo would also be in order. Farther south we would visit NASA and Galveston Island. When hunger strikes we’d stop at Goode Company BBQ, Goode Company Seafood, Niko Niko’s (Greek), The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation (Mexican), El Meson (Spanish and Latin American) and Kim Son (Vietnamese).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband most definitely deserves a shoutout for all that he does to help me be successful in my art, my volunteer responsibilities and life in general. To family, friends and complete strangers who have supported my art by giving me confidence; by offering kind words; by teaching me how to market myself and, of course, by buying it also deserve a huge shoutout! The e-courses presented by photographer Laura Valenti have been a huge source of inspiration and the photography books written by David DuChemin have been a wealth of knowledge.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisa_marie_waddell
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lisamariewaddell