Spotlight on Christine Donley

She shines with sexi seaweed earrings!

Photographer and web designer Christine Donley has been the cornerstone of Swankety Swank’s in store and online presence since February of last year.

Her impeccable sense of style and eye for beauty has informed everything from mastering model and product photo shoots to creating the Swankety Swank brand image.  She’s on a fast track and does not look to be slowing down any time soon!  Join me in finding out more about this fascinating woman and learn about her new venture and how you can be a part of it!

I grew up in Ohio, and lived there until I moved here in 1997.

I was ready to leave Ohio, and I had two choices: San Francisco or New York.  So many of my close friends were here that I decided on San Francisco.

How did your interest in photography begin?

In my early 20′s, I started documenting my life with my camera.  I loved photographing my friends and the thing we were doing; looking at them later was like proof that my life didn’t suck.  It really changed when I moved to San Francisco.  I would walk around the city and photograph everything.  My roommate Bill would let me borrow his nice 35mm, and that camera got me started on making more creative images.

Your photographic presentation has a flair for streamlined elegance.  It feels infused with Parisian sensibilities and a hint of nostalgia.  What influences created this unique perspective?  As an artist, where do you find inspiration?

I’ve always been enamored with vintage images.  Growing up, I remember rainy days at my grandparents house looking through National Geographic and Time Magazine.  Those magazines presented the world through strong, iconic images.  I was often alone, and those magazines infused my fantasy life with travel and adventure.  A little later, fashion magazines became a huge influence.

When I was in my 20′s, a friend presented me with a photograph by the photographer Brassai.  He thought the woman looked like me.  For me, it was love at first site.  Discovering Brassai was a defining moment for me because he showed me all the possibilities and beauty of “street photography.”

I love exploring.  The world and the people in it inspire me.

What led you to web design?  What do you find satisfying about it?

Web building is skill I learned to support my blogging work, but design and layout are two of my core skills.   It was easy to get into writing and photography for the web, but I found myself frustrated with the limitations of using a free templates, so I decided to learn enough to allow me more creative control over the end product.

I really enjoy design work.  For Swankety Swank, it was really fun to work with Yabette to create a web home for Swankety Swank that really reflects the essence and aesthetics of the shop.

What I really love is the possibilities the web creates for creative people to share their work, build their tribe, and potentially earn some income or start a new career.

How did you get involved with Swankety Swank?

When I lost my non-profit job, I started looking to redefine myself and my career into something that felt more authentic.  Since I have a background in both marketing and art, I approached Yabette to help out at Swankety Swank.  The relationship blossomed into photography and writing for SwanketySwank.com.

What are you working on now?

I’m super busy right now!  I’m building up my website Christinedonley.com, where I’ll be showing my photography, writing, and advice for other creatives looking to use the web to support their creative work or small, creative business.

But what I’m really excited about is a trip I’m fundraising for to go to Art Dubai 2011 next month, to cover the Middle East’s most prestigious art fair.  As an art lover, I’ve been following the growth of the art scene in the Gulf for 5+ years.  Gulf countries like The United Arab Emirates and  Qatar are bringing some exciting new art establishments to the international scene.  At the same time, local artist are enjoying unprecedented support and funding.  Art Dubai is a great opportunity to see it all in one place.  While events like Art Dubai are deeply rooted in “art markets,” as art lovers, it does give us the opportunity to find out about new artists and movements.

I’ll be writing about Art Dubai all month on my website, and if I can find 100 people to donate $25 each, I’ll be blogging from Art Dubai from March 16-19th.

I’ll be fundraising until February 21st, 2011, so wish me luck!

Thanks Christine for sharing. And now, dear readers, Donate to help Christine get to Dubai!