Focusing On Emotion
With Light and Lens Photography is the brainchild of Andrea Mathes, a talented photographer with an eye for capturing the true essence of life through her lens.
Andrea’s journey into photography is as inspiring as her work. Growing up in Sioux City, Andrea was surrounded by a creative family that fueled her artistic spirit. Though she didn’t follow the traditional college route, her determination to learn led her to an invaluable internship in Chicago with a seasoned photographer. “I never completed college but knew I wanted to continue learning. I actually went and did an internship in Chicago for a photographer.
This is where I learned that there were different sectors of photography and began to find my niche,” Andrea reflects.
After her internship, Andrea started taking photos for friends and family. However, it wasn’t until she worked with Many Hands for Haiti as their marketing and administrative assistant that her love for photography truly blossomed. “One of my favorite parts of the job was editing the photos. I loved editing the pictures for the teams that went down to Haiti. The bright sun and white sand and various colors opened my world to editing and bringing stories to life through pictures. I was able to go to Haiti and take pictures firsthand, and with the harsh variation in colors and lights and darks of landscapes, this is where I truly learned to take pictures,” Andrea shares with a nostalgic smile.
In 2020, a friend’s request for a photo session reignited Andrea’s passion for photography, leading to the creation of With Light and Lens. Andrea’s style is refreshingly unique, focusing on emotive storytelling rather than traditional posed portraits.
“I fell in love with non-traditional photos through emotive storytelling. I go beyond just the portrait studio photos. Emotive storytelling is realistic. It is authentic. I capture the realness of life. If your child is honorary and wild, I will capture that through a joyous and fun photo shoot. If you are reserved and an introvert, I will capture that through a soft photo shoot,” she explains.
Meeting People Where They Are
One of Andrea’s most heartfelt projects involves photo shoots for individuals experiencing emotional crises, capturing their raw emotions and helping them heal through the process. “I love to meet people where they are at. Meet them at their season of life and capture it on film through a healing session. It’s powerful and beautiful,” Andrea says passionately.
With Light and Lens doesn’t confine itself to a traditional studio. Andrea finds her inspiration in the great outdoors, with nature serving as her backdrop. She loves shooting at picturesque locations like Lake Red Rock and sunflower fields in bloom. Andrea also travels extensively, capturing stunning images in places such as Hawaii, Wyoming, and Arizona. Her business offers a full client wardrobe with a variety of styles and sizes, ensuring that everyone feels beautiful and confident. “Photography is all about your perspective. There are so many beautiful photographers here in Pella. There are amazing photographers from Portrait to Luxe Senior to light and airy. It’s all about finding the photographer that works for you and your style. I tend to go bold and colorful and moody and all the drama,” she elaborates.
With Light and Lens Photography is a wonderful addition to the PACE Alliance family. Andrea Mathes brings a fresh, emotive, and authentic perspective to photography, capturing the true essence of her subjects and the beauty of life in all its forms. Her work is not just about taking pictures; it’s about telling stories, evoking emotions, and celebrating the realness of life.
