Well hello there!
An introduction to the person behind Madison & West Lifestyle Division
Welcome to my very first blog on my new revamped website. I am so excited for you to be here and to take part in the new journey that I have embarked on! So grab a cup of coffee (or if tea is your thing) and spend a few minutes with me so that I can tell you a bit more about who I am and how photography changed the landscape of my life.
So my love for photography started the very first time I went to New York in 2009. It was August and I was 20 weeks pregnant with my daughter. My feet were aching from all the walking, none the less it didn't stop me from exploring the city in all it's wonder. I specifically remember one day that we headed to the Upper East side, walking down the street and just gazing at the beautiful apartments. I wanted to remember that moment, the way I felt, the smell, the breeze and how I envisioned living in one of these apartments. So I reached for my Olympus "aim and shoot" camera and captured this image. See, the thing I learned that day was that photography has presented me with the wonderful power that it had to offer for, eleven years later, whenever I see this image it transfers me to that space - it's simply not just recalling a visual memory, it's waking up the whole sensory experience.
Fast forward a few years later, photography found me again in the midst of me finding myself while I was doing through a divorce. It was like reconnecting with an old acquaintance and soon I dove into all it had to offer me. Looking and perceiving things from a new point of view, I was exploring color, composition, contrast and detail that made the world around me interestingly beautiful. I learned more about myself. Things I liked and things I didn't. Things that I was drawn to - asking myself the question "why do I or don't I like this?" And in the chaos of reinventing, I found the person I was ment to be, purpose for pain and what God had planned for me.
Photography gifted me with the process of finding myself.
Jumping a few chapters ahead, God lead my path to collide with a truly inspiring human being. It wasn't love at first sight, but it grew into a force of magnetism as I can't imagine my life without him. Our connecting point was photography as Chris is a photographer too - can you spot the a pattern here? God blessed me though photography with an amazing partner and a second chance to build a life with someone. We love traveling, exploring new places and inspiring each other to use the gift that we have been blessed with.
"God lead my path to collide with a truly inspiring human being..."
Today I look back over my journey, I acknowledge that it wasn't an easy road but none the less, I am thankful, for the road that I walked lead me to the person I am today. I have seen extraordinary things, experienced life in all it's ups and downs, highs and lows and through it all have witnessed God's hand in turning every bad situation we find ourselves in, into a blessing - if we change our perspective. And in the process God gave me a heart for people as well as the ability to take photos and He put me in the very fortunate position to serve people with these 2 attributes. You are more than welcome to head on over to my portfolio page to view my work.
So, long story short: My name is Anje Van Dalen. Welcome to my journey through photography. May you find inspiration, motivation and heartfelt stories whenever you visit!
I would love to know more about you too so don't be shy to reach out in the comment section or email me at madisonandwestlifestyle@gmail.com.
Really looking forward to connect with you.
Much love,
A