Greenwich Academy Alumnae

The arts have been an integral part of Debbie Llewellyn's life since her Greenwich Academy days. But, it was not a straight path from GA through college as she dabbled in arts programs in various schools before answering an ad to be a sales rep in a large commercial photography studio. That's when the photography bug bit her.

Debbie moved from New York City to Atlanta in 1993, arriving with two skills, photography and residential real estate sales. The photography career took off, and she hasn't looked back. Her first husband was a commercial photographer, and although she learned by assisting him, she started to create her own style of shooting. She's been an independent commercial photographer since 1994 and has a home studio. Approximately 90 percent of her work is shot on-location, and she travels with an assistant. Debbie's clients are magazines, corporations, advertising agencies and graphic designers.

The "Seaside Deck" photo was taken in Seaside, Florida, where the movie The Truman Show was filmed. It was from a feature story for Coastal Living magazine and depicts the Gulf of Mexico from the deck.

"Nancy's" was taken at the Atlanta home of national award-winning interior designer Nancy Braithewahite. Her interior design approach to design is influenced by natural colors and textures, such as the wood siding from a barn in New England, which was used on the interior. The shoot was for Veranda magazine.

The "Portrait of Evander Holyfield" was used in an article talking about the business of sports. His home is just south of Atlanta and that is where the shoot took place. His portrait was one of a series, each with a colorful backdrop. Debbie shot him in his office, which is the size of most school gyms! As she does with most male athletes, she asked him if he would remove his shirt. After learning that he has a bowling alley in his house and knowing how competitive he is, Debbie was shooting away, and then asked him if he liked to bowl. Then she slyly told him that she knew she could beat him in bowling. That did it — the look you see was his reaction to her challenge.

A first-time author of a mystery novel wanted a cemetery shot for the cover of her book. Debbie and the author traveled for the shot, "Cemetery", to the oldest cemetery in downtown Atlanta, where many famous southern personalities are resting.

Go to Debbie's web site to see more of her exceptional photography: www.dwlphoto.com

Q: What inspires your photography?
A: "I am an artist because that is who I am, and I would be unhappy being anything else. I chose photography instead of painting because I am very impatient. I enjoy the instant image, the immediate feedback of success or failure. I believe I am capable of handling the technical, creative and business sides of my art because of the great education I received at GA."

Q: How did GA prepare you for your career in photography?
A: "The Academy offered a strong liberal arts education as rigorous as that at many colleges. I attended GA from second to twelfth grade, so I really know no other type of school. The complete experience of science, math, Latin, sports, chorus and the extra clubs all helped me prepare for the future. I did not realize it at the time (sometimes I hated it!), but attending an all-girls school gave me great self-confidence. I learned to be organized and self-disciplined — very important attributes for a self-employed freelancer. Also, I photograph all types of people from all walks of life, and GA helped me to handle that."

Q: Did you have any mentors at GA that inspired you?
A: "My last two years at GA, I fell in love with dance and became convinced that my career would be in theatrical dance. I auditioned for my college applications. Mrs. Olney, the dance instructor, was wonderfully eccentric and very helpful to me because she knew the New York City dance scene. Once I focused on dance, my grades improved dramatically. Dance helped me to become more disciplined and interested in life."

Q: How do (did) you train for your career after GA?
A: "I auditioned for different liberal arts and performing arts colleges, including Juilliard. I enrolled in the performing arts college at the State University of New York at Purchase, which, at the time, was brand new. After awhile, I became impatient and auditioned for the Alvin Ailey School in NYC. I received a scholarship and studied for three years while doing the starving-artist-waitress thing. I was burned out, and after a stint at Fordham University, I answered an ad to be a sales rep in a large commercial photography studio in Stamford. I loved the energy and learned the business of photography. When I started shooting, I realized that just by being around photography, I learned a great deal. I did not go to school for photography; I learned by seeing and doing."

Q: What is your advice for students and alumnae interested in pursuing photography as a career?
A: "Get out and do it. Be with people in the field. Take specific courses, if you want, and remember, in art, education is a good thing, but sometimes it gets in the way of learning."