STEPHENVILLE, N.L. — Frank Gale
The Western Star
STEPHENVILLE, N.L. – Lindsay Anne Delaney is quick to admit the fashion photography business isn't easy to break into.
That aside, it’s a rewarding and fulfilling career once you’re there, says the young woman who was raised in Stephenville.
The award-winning celebrity and fashion photographer has worked seven years professionally in the business. In July she was awarded the Waterfront Award in the Fashion and Style category, an accolade recognized by Waterfront Magazine’s second annual ceremony, celebrating outstanding women in the Greater Toronto area, where she lives.
Delaney credits the Visual Arts program at College of the North Atlantic in the town as one reason for her success.
“If it wasn’t for that program, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” Delaney told The Western Star.
After that program, she studied at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax. Prior to that she completed courses at Boston, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.
She said it's an industry that requires a thick skin. One has to be able to take constructive criticism – and be able to recognize the difference between what's negative and what's constructive.
Delaney would absolutely recommend other women getting into the industry, though she warns it’s not a nine-to-five job and it’s a life choice with the career at Number 1.
“You have to give up one life, but you end up with a brand new one – it takes dedication as my work days are 16 to 18 hours,” she said.
Delaney said she always jokes that if she was getting married and got an offer to shoot for Vogue Magazine on her wedding day, it would be cancel the wedding, and off to the shoot.
There are a lot of sacrifices but a lot of rewards at the same time, she added, especially when it comes to a social life.
Delaney finds it difficult to explain the intricacies of the creative process as it goes from just a thought in your head to becoming the cover of a magazine. It's that vision, putting it together and being able to select an A-list team to bring her vision to life that's most rewarding creatively.
For those thinking of getting into the industry, her advice is to push through it, like she did.
“It’s about being ready for an opportunity, even when you don’t know when it’s going to come,” Delaney said.
She produces a lot of work, is always doing something and is hoping something comes out of the connections she makes.
Her hope is to some day shoot for Elle Canada. Paper Magazine and New York City are also in her sights.
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Lindsay Anne Delaney's accomplishments and upcoming events:
• Cover story for Vitalize Magazine featured Sports Illustrated Rookie of the Year model Kim Cloutier, wearing native Toronto Designer Mikhael Kale, in the Toronto subway station.
• Famed figures she’s photographed include: humanitarian and business mogul Silvia Mantella, actor Jason Priestley, Etalk hosts Devon Soltendieck and Ben Mulroney, Fashion Santa, and Real Housewife Joan Kelley Walker.
• In September she will travel to Turkey with Preferred Men’s Magazine, for whom she is the Fashion Editor. Converging with editors from 50 magazines around the world, Delaney will be working on a written and visual story about the culture of the country from the Canadian traveller’s perspective.
• In October she will have an art show at the Emily Harding Gallery in Toronto and is excited to have her first show since graduating from NSCAD.
