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Have You Met Zurry Donevan
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Have You Met Zurry Donevan

Excited about our Have You Met series where I showcase YOU, the photographers of our community. We had over 400 photographers apply for the series in less than a week. I can’t wait to showcase the talented photographers. There is a mix of hobbyist and business owners as well as full-frame and crop sensor users. This may be my new favorite part of the site.

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks in advance for supporting Click it Up a Notch. I am not longer accepting applications for this series.

  • No.
    01
    Tell us a little about yourself and your photography journey.

    I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with my wonderful husband, Brendan and daughter, Audrey. I am a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and work fulltime, but I’m currently on maternity leave for a year. 
I purchased my first DSLR, a Nikon D40, in the summer of 2007, for my Europe backpacking trip. But, I used it like a point and shoot camera.

    I started to learn how to shoot on manual shortly before the birth of my daughter in July of 2014. (Yes – it took me a full 7 years to get off of auto!)
I still consider myself an amateur and have lots to learn.

zdonevan1
35mm 1.8 | f/2.5 | SS 1/125 | ISO 800

  • No.
    01
    What is the best advice you received so far on your photography journey?

    “Practice. Practice. Practice.”

    Seems like common sense but I remember talking to my husband about how frustrated I was with my photography but he made me realize that I don’t shoot often and that I can’t expect results if I don’t put in the work or effort.

40 Comments
  • February 2, 2015 at 10:10 AM

    No way! I have been loving Zurry’s 365 on WordPress. It was great to get to know a bit more about her outside of what is revealed through each of her gorgeous images!

    • February 2, 2015 at 11:47 AM

      Thanks Penelope!
      Love following you as well! :)

      • February 5, 2015 at 2:57 AM

        Really? Thank you!

        PS I use a Canon 550D and a 50mm f1.8 and often find myself feeling a little shy around anyone with a better setup. I second everyone who has thanked you for showing the size of your rig doesn’t determine the size of your talent!

  • February 2, 2015 at 10:18 AM

    I too was embarrassed to pull out my Canon T2i when taking pictures for others, but I have learned how to use it well and have tried to embrace the saying “It’s not the camera, but the person who holds the camera that makes a good photo.” Happy to hear someone sticks to simple photography and she rocks it!

    • February 2, 2015 at 11:51 AM

      Thanks Bobbi Jo!
      I don’t know why I use to be so embarrassed but I think it had to do with my confidence and less about what other photographers think. To be honest I don’t think they do really care, it’s the end product we want. :)

  • February 2, 2015 at 10:19 AM

    It’s not the size of the sensor, it’s how you use it ;)

    Gorgeous work! Great interview.

  • February 2, 2015 at 10:21 AM

    Prob my fav so far! I love her genuine love for photography & rock that 35mm 1.8, girl! That was the only lens I shot on for over 3 years as well!

    • February 2, 2015 at 11:52 AM

      Thanks Trisha!
      That means so much to me! :) This comment made my day!

  • February 2, 2015 at 10:51 AM

    It’s so easy to get caught up in thinking we “need” this lens or that lens because we read what we’re “supposed” to use for landscapes, portraits, etc. But Zurry’s profile proves that what you really “need” is passion for your subject and the dedication to learn and develop a strong eye. Really impressed at the variety of subjects she captured with a single lens. Same when it comes to crop sensor. I don’t think anyone really looks at a photo and thinks “oh wow… that’s full frame” or “pity that’s a crop sensor” lol I think we look at images and think of lighting, composition, DOF, and if it moves us. Thanks for sharing her profile – it’s very inspiring!

    • February 2, 2015 at 11:54 AM

      Thank you for your kind words Tina!
      It’s so true, I don’t look at a picture and say those things. :)

  • Deborah
    February 2, 2015 at 11:32 AM

    I’ve been following Zurry’s 365 project as well. I love seeing her unique perspective on things, and it was great to read more about her here. I love this series!

    • February 2, 2015 at 11:55 AM

      Thank you Deborah!! :)
      I love following your blog! Your pictures are amazing! (Especially that kite one… still thinking about how much I LOVE it!)

      • February 2, 2015 at 5:36 PM

        Awe, thanks Zurry! It has been so awesome finding new inspiration through following others’ 365 projects and seeing how they view the world. Yours is one of my favorites!

  • February 2, 2015 at 11:40 AM

    I love this series! It’s so easy to get caught up thinking we need the newest lens or the best lens. I love being reminded that you can rock what you’ve got!

  • Sopo
    February 2, 2015 at 11:49 AM

    I looked at your 365 website and really loved some of your images, that one with the baby girl and her dad taking a nap is amazing! It is such a challenge for me to take good low light photos with my cropped sensor, but I agree, practice is the key!!

    • February 2, 2015 at 11:57 AM

      Thanks so much!! :)
      It’s tough at times to take low light photos and it’s easy for me to get frustrated with my camera. But I look at this as a learning process and when I upgrade eventually I’ll be thankful for all the things I learned with my old camera.

  • Tricia
    February 2, 2015 at 12:12 PM

    Love your photo in #7. Keep up the good work!

  • Brennan Lanter
    February 2, 2015 at 1:17 PM

    Zurry! I love this! I LOVED my 35 1.8 on my D5000….I shot 100% with that combo for so long! I love your message–it is practice that counts and not your gear. Love seeing your work!

  • April B
    February 2, 2015 at 2:29 PM

    What do you use for editing? I love your pics!! Im a crop sensor user as well. Canon 60D… always thought “real photographers” used full frame. You have a talent!

    • February 2, 2015 at 2:41 PM

      Hi April! Thanks so much! :)
      I use photoshop for editing. I “cheat” and use actions! :) It has been a game changer. If you have more questions regarding which ones and how to use them I am more than happy to answer those. Send me an email at [email protected].
      Cheers!

  • February 2, 2015 at 4:06 PM

    Yey!! I’m not alone. I’m using an entry-level dslr and a 50mm f1.8 which I’m loving Sooo much now. Your photos look so nice.

    • February 2, 2015 at 9:48 PM

      Thanks Camille!!
      It’s so great to hear of other photographers using an entry-level DSLR still! :) I was so torn between a 35mm and a 50mm. I definitely do want to get a 50mm eventually.. but I have a long list of lenses I would love to eventually get, along with a new camera body. :)

  • February 2, 2015 at 4:12 PM

    I’m carrying my camera in a diaper bag too :)
    Your photography is beautiful, just the way I like it!

    • February 2, 2015 at 9:46 PM

      Thank you very much Nadya!
      I just don’t have room to carry around another bag and a diaper bag! :D

  • February 2, 2015 at 8:48 PM

    WOW! So amazing to see you progressing as a photographer! Love the shots of your daughter’s little feet! You should take up infant photography!

    • February 2, 2015 at 9:46 PM

      Thank you!!!! Means SOOO much coming from you! :)

  • February 3, 2015 at 1:53 AM

    I follow Zurry’s 365 on WordPress and I love it. She has such a creative eye. Her photography is strong and consistent. Really adore her photos!

  • February 3, 2015 at 7:18 PM

    Loved getting to meet you! Fabulous photography you shared with us too. Keep on shooting!

  • February 4, 2015 at 9:36 PM

    It was great to ‘meet’ you Zurry. I love the photos in your article and your 365 project looks amazing.

  • February 6, 2015 at 10:50 AM

    Glad to meet you Zurry! I am also using wordpress for my 1st Project 365. You take awesome pictures!!

    Dawn

    • February 6, 2015 at 10:52 AM

      hmm, my website didn’t show, let me try again! LOL

      • February 10, 2015 at 4:56 PM

        Thank you Dawn! :)
        Good luck on your 365! I will be following along as well. :)

  • February 9, 2015 at 7:18 PM

    Your work is fabulous, Zurry and I’m happy to see you featured here! Hearing you say that you’ve been embarrassed by your D40, but sheesh … you are ROCKING your gear and that is incredibly inspiring! <3

    • February 10, 2015 at 4:52 PM

      Wow! I’m pretty sure I took your Mastering Manual Exposure class. So this coming from you is amazing!!!!! Thank you! This just made my day!!

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