Customer Spotlight: Sandra Ramos
Posted by Sandra Ramos & Sara Strick on 8th Apr 2019
Sandra Ramos is an avid roadtripper and explorer based in Austin, Texas. Known for her accessible photography style and passion for telling the stories of our National Parks, and enthusiast websites like National Park Geek regularly feature her work. A self-taught photographer, she shoots with the Olympus O-MD E-M1X and Olympus EM-1 Mark II and was recently named an Olympus SuperFan Ambassador. Her clients include East Austin Urban Farm Tour, InTown Homes - Austin, BeeSweet Lemonade, and Biscayne National Park. Sandra’s current project, National Park Patch Lady, was recently named one of the top 18 National Park Instagram sites to follow.
What sparked your initial interest in photography?
When I retired from a 20-year career in politics, I find myself at a loss of what to do next while sorting through photos I had taken over that time span. I quickly realized that for years I had a camera in my hand and was consistently documenting things around me, but had never taken it seriously.
What are some of your biggest inspirations for your work?
Telling an honest story and learning along the way: when I describe my travel photography, the word accessible comes up a lot. Over-processing and super HDR is not my thing. it’s important for me to tell a story of a national park site as it is.
Now that doesn’t mean I don’t use filters or polarizers, I do! Those are enhancers to make the scene look the best it can under any circumstance. But my goal is to show people how beautiful a site is and encourage them to find the beauty in it and hopefully take wonderful photos of their own. It’s also important for me to be open to learning about where I’m photographing, because I think that plays such an important part of how the subject can be portrayed authentically.
What was one of your weirdest moments as a photographer?
A few years ago, I created a personal project where I dressed up well-known Austinites as Revolutionary war historical figures. It was 4:30 in the morning and I was on Town Lake dressing (then Austin Police Chief) Art Acevedo up as George Washington and putting him on a raft to stand with a flag. He almost fell in the water - wig and all - but somehow got through this crazy shoot completely dry. It was such a surreal moment.
...and the coolest?
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to meet a well-known photographer while down in Biscayne National Park, and he told me he followed my work on Instagram (I thought: how did I not know this???) We’ve since become pals and I’m honored to have him as an amazing resource in my work.
What have you learned about photography that came as a surprise the more you became invested in it?
You quickly figure out what you like to photograph and what you don’t. And everyone will ask if you can shoot their wedding/event/party for free.(Which is a big NO.) Also, It’s not always about the fastest glass or the most expensive piece of equipment - It’s about knowing your gear and using it to the fullest advantage.
If you could give one important piece of advice to a novice - what would that be?
Photograph what you love and take the time to make them photographs, not just snapshots.
What is your favorite thing you have purchased from Precision Camera?
How do I choose just one? The Nisi ND32 (5 stop) neutral density filter. I’m a sucker for daytime long exposure waterfall shots; all my camera equipment.
What is your dream piece of equipment that doesn't exist?
I would have said an in-camera neutral density filter, but Olympus just came out with that feature in the OMD EM1X (which is so great!) Oddly enough, I can’t think of one after that...
Sandra was recently named our newest Precision Camera University instructor! Keep an eye out for her adventurous classes coming up (including a Olympus Wildflower Photowalk on April 13th!) to learn all of her landscape and long exposure techniques.
You can follow Sandra's work here:
@nationalparkpatchlady
https://www.nationalparkpatchlady.com/blog