Meet Anna Draney of Lee’s Summit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Draney.

Hi Anna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always loved anything that allows me to be creative. As I got older, I started to steer that interest towards video, photography, and editing. I was a 4-year broadcast student in high school which allowed me to go deeper with these things. I used to make “vlogs” just to document fun times with friends, but once COVID hit, I really felt a draw to get into photography.

It started out with me just taking some pictures for friends who were seniors because I knew that might’ve been hard to access with COVID, my idea was “they get some pictures they hopefully like, I get to experience and practice with the camera” it seemed like a win-win for everyone.

That turned into pictures for friends of friends who wanted couple pictures, grad pictures, or family pictures. Today, I still take pictures, but it comes and goes especially being in college currently.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For the most part, it’s been pretty smooth! I’m thankful for my cousins and some friends who have lent me some camera gear to work with better quality equipment. I’m still working on buying my own camera someday, but for now, I’m focusing on my studies.

My cousins have a photography business (@106_creative) and they’ve been a great help in my practice, allowing me to borrow their gear whenever I needed it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In the creative world, I’m probably known for my photography at this point. I’m most proud of the things I’ve gotten to learn through the journey and being able to see that growth within my work. It lead me to a short summer job with Epic Productions, shooting weddings which was a cool experience that I learned a lot from. I think what sets me apart from others is my flexibility.

People who reach out to me and want photos will get them in a timely manner, for cheap (or for free) and the photoshoot is basically their own, I just take the pictures.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
A lot of things make me happy, I love spending time with friends and trying new things and going to new places. Photography has allowed me to do that in a creative aspect which has been so fun. A lot of times we’ll make a day of the shoot.

We’ll grab coffee or breakfast, then take the photos at different locations, and seeing the smiles of friends’ faces when they get the photos is really cool thing.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/draneyphotography?utm_medium=copy_link