DEBORAH TRACEY HEWITT

I absolutely loved being a professional photographer for over 22 years. I continue to enjoy the art of photography, shoot portraits here and there, and create personal work. I went back to school when my youngest child was five. I was almost 40 years old! It’s been a wild ride and I have experienced so much. I gave it everything I had, and have some scars to prove it! I love life and and people beyond measure. I am editorially moved and inspired. I covered everything from environmental portraits to political junkets, concerts, events, and recently worked for several years on Harvey Mudd University’s prestigious photographer pool. I covered events, portraits, space studies, live classes, etc. for web and magazine content. I’ve been published in various media, and for 16 of those 22 years I also covered boutique-style weddings. I consider it an absolute blessing to have witnessed so much love and happiness.

Although I began with 35mm film, working with Minolta Maxxum 9’s (the choice for many journalists covering Operation Desert Storm, due to weather sealing) and a cool Bronica Medium Format, I transferred over to digital in 2007 with Canon, and eventually added a Fuji-X series kit. Between dad and I, we have over 15 systems, not including our film cameras, plus an incredible collection of vintage cameras, including several 8mm movie cameras. Since dad passed away, it’s been hard to sit in his camera closet and realize the depth of his talent. I get teary-eyed when I am able to put one of his beloved cameras in my hands. It’s been an honor to have this kind of privilege in life. To be a working artist.

My inspirations:

*The Creator God, creating for the Creator. Living your purpose means hanging onto who you are in the rollercoaster of life.

*My dad - who brought my mom and I to the U.S. from England, in the 60’s. He always had an 8mm or a still camera in his hand and I watched his smile behind the lens. He was a great photographer and spent many years as a volunteer fire photographer, covering fires, accidents and FD events. His work was often published in the Statesman Journal in Oregon.

*The Whimsical Magic of Children - nothing like being around the imagination of a child. I loved taking pictures of my children and I’m glad I went to school to learn how to take better ones of them and now my grandchildren :)

*Dance - I have a background in dance — which, for me, means my brain feels movement — even in the stillness.

*The Waltons - My time in the entertainment industry confirmed my visual curiosity.

*Cinema - I can tell who directed a lot of movies by the way it’s lit and the camera angles.

*Architecture - I live for lines, design and history.

*Stories - Everyone has a story. There is nothing like telling it through the lens and/or writing it.

I am a struggler and big lover of Jesus. I try, and often fail, to make every day, all day, about prayer, petition and thanksgiving. I aspire to create as an offering to Him. I hope to see everyone that I come in contact with as a child of God, which makes every single person unique and special in His eyes.

After losing my photography contracts, (due to “my vaccine choices” in the pandemic), losing family members and experiencing immense grief in 2020, I woke up in May of 2022 to hear a clear voice say “write.” On June 1st, 2022, after many years of my mom encouraging me to stick with it, I kicked off a Substack Newsletter and haven’t stopped writing-for-life since! Find me at deborahthewitt.substack.com at “My Unframed Life,” as I journey through family stories, history, grief, art, poetry, music, commentary and gratitude. I write quite a bit through the pictures I’ve taken over the years and the music I love.

I live to create and create to live…

For more information and pricing, please give me a ring at 909.721-9968 or email me at debtraceyphoto@gmail.com