Being someone who is passionate about my career, I thought I’d take an opportunity to take a look at April Bodenburg’s work, a young and inspired artist who also fits that description. I have to say I’ve never met anyone that has as much fun and shows as much spunk and energy about her work as April does. You can truly tell she loves what she does and it clear as day in her photographs.
I chose to highlight April for a few reasons. Mainly being that she is extremely talented for capturing the personality and emotion of particular moments. I feel as if her subjects don’t even know she’s there. It takes a certain person to capture candid moments that the couple usual only experiences without anyone watching, in front of a camera. But, April does just that, and does it with her own personal flare and light.
I took the liberty of asking April a few questions about herself and her work. She’s been in high demand as of late, but she was nice enough to squeeze me in!
About April
Where are you from? Tell us a little bit about your background.
I’m originally from the small town of Viroqua, WI where I grew up on a dairy farm. After graduating college with a Retail Merchandising degree, I worked in the retail industry for a few years. But with a downturn in the economy and an odd twist of fate, I found myself facing the challenge of taking what was once “something fun on the side” to a full-time business – and April Bodenburg Photography was born.
When did you start taking photos?
Well, I guess you could say I started when I got my first film camera as a little girl. It was pink and purple and I loved it! But that’s pretty cliche. Many photographer’s will tell you they started when they had their first child. But I can’t use that one yet either. So for me… I truly became passionate about photography when searching for my wedding photographer in early 2008. There are loads of photographers out there that take ‘traditional’, ‘posed’ wedding photos. But I’m not a ‘traditional’ person. While searching TheKnot.com, I came across a wedding that had the most beautiful photos I’d ever seen. I soon found they were taken by Jose Villa – a highly sought after fine art wedding photographer from Southern California. And I was in love. In love with the unique, photo journalistic, candid approach that was more about “capturing” a moment versus “creating” one. I became so obsessed I decided to purchase a digital SLR of my own and see what happened. I found a used, Canon 20D on eBay and did a LOT of researching how to use it. That was August 2008. Just over a year ago! Since then I’ve purchased a second camera body (Canon 5D) and some various lenses. I’ve discovered many more wedding photographer’s whose work I love, but Jose Villa is really the one that started it all for me.
What inspires you and ruffles your artistic feathers? (haha…. sounds corny?)
LOTS of things! Since I photograph people, my subjects really inspire me. I especially love photographing couples (engagements, weddings, any couple in love!!) I like to just listen and watch them interact and allow their personalities and emotion determine how the shoot unfolds. I also seek inspiration from pages/images in magazines and clothing catalogs ( Love Anthropologie!). And of course other photographers….I have a long list of blogs I “stalk” every day of photographers who I admire. Another big source of inspiration (believe it or not), is television. I find myself closely watching how the camera composes the scene and even the lighting and coloration. I basically have photography on the brain 24/7! ha! 
Where is your favorite place to shoot?
I really love shooting in grassy fields and near old buildings like barns and wood-boarded sheds. But I also LOVE when a couple (or family) suggests a spot to shoot that has meaning to them. A park they frequent, a cafe they visit each weekend, etc, because it brings a significance to their images.
What do you do when you’re in a creative rut?
Having been at this for just over a year, I’m not sure I’ve been OUT of a rut. I’m still trying to find my way and my style – but I guess I would say I just keep trying new things, shooting at new angles, trying new techniques for post-processing, renting new lenses to shoot with. I think it’s all about changing things up and staying fresh to avoid ‘a rut’.
“Photography evokes emotion. Real, honest, pure. It can re-create a moment in time.”
Let’s just say I don’t think an illustration has ever moved me to tears.
April’s Work
What is your favorite part of a photography shoot and why?
When the subjects ‘loosen up’. 
It sounds funny, but I think everyone is a little awkward and uneasy when you first start the session – including the photographer! I don’t like to overly direct my subjects – so I love when my subjects feel comfortable enough to just interact and allow me to capture them as they are…versus looking at me uncomfortably wondering where to look or what to do.
You can just tell when things change from stiff and ‘posed’ to natural and ‘real’ – and that’s my favorite part.How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it?
As a new photographer, this is something I’m still trying to define. And I honestly don’t know yet. It takes time to really create a a style – to create a body of work that causes someone to look at it and know exactly who took it. It takes a lot of self-exploration to know who you are as a photographer and what kind of emotion you want to convey in your images….but I’m getting there. As of right now, some words that describe what I’m trying to achieve are: natural, clean, modern yet elegant and real.
Such Beautiful Images!! I loved learning some more about April!!
@Maria Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed reading about April! She does beautiful work and is a great person to work with.
Great feature! I love April’s work…so fresh and creative.
Great write-up Sarah. I love interviews like this. I hope you have time for more.
I like the part about staying creative and trying new lenses. It’s a great way to get a new perspective on what you’re passionate about (I know perspective and lenses is corny).
Great photos by April and great interview both of you!
April’s work is incredible as is she. It is almost inconceivable that someone can produce such beautiful, honest, clean and definitely real images after only doing this for about a year. April is a natural talent. Thanks for providing some insight into someone I am lucky to already call a friend.
April you are a fabulous artist!!! I loved learning more about you April and what makes you thrive!! Your are a superstar!! Keep shining!
Yay for April! Honey you’re going places… the minute you decided to do weddings I saw the change. You have found your calling, and it’s so great to see you featured! Can’t wait to see where you’ll be in 3 years.
Great interview!! Beautiful images April.
Great post, April is an amazing photographer and such a sweet person as well:)
@Dawn, Johanna, Michelle, Jennifer, Tamara and Nichole – You are all so right! She is an amazing photographer AND person and is glad to know folks like you guys to support her in her endeavors. Thanks for reading!
Thanks to everyone for your support and kind words!!! You all make me smile!