PHOENIX CITY GUIDE WITH LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER TAMARA HANCOCK
Tour Phoenix, Arizona with local photographer Tamara Hancock. Tamara talks about her favorite restaurants and photo locations like Ashley Castle and Estrella Star Tower along with her upcoming scripture inspired project.
WHAT ARE THE MUST-SEE PARTS OF YOUR CITY?
We have everything here. Downtown Tempe with the Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, or South Mountain Preserves. Papago Park is also a must, Roosevelt Row...sorry, I bet you're sorry you asked ;)
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN TOLLESON, AZ?
7 Years
WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE HANGOUTS?
West Gate, Roosevelt Row, South Mountain, Scottsdale art library, Downtown Phoenix, Tempe Marketplace
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS?
Culinary Dropout, Pieology, Portillos Hot Dogs
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MUSEUMS, MUSIC, OR THEATER VENUES?
Tempe Center for the Arts, Mesa Center for the Arts, Arizona Children's Museum
WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES IN YOUR CITY TO TAKE PHOTOS OUTSIDE?
Estrella Star Tower! I love it up there. South Mountain is also amazing. Papago park...and Roosevelt Row for the urban look!
WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES IN YOUR CITY TO TAKE PHOTOS INSIDE?
I love Ashley Castle, and some of the other indoor reception halls - but my all time favorite places have to be historic churches.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL SPOT TO BUY PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR?
Tempe Camera or Foto Forum. I love them both equally.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO NETWORK WITH PEOPLE IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
Believe it or not, Facebook! I've met some amazing photographers and made some awesome connections with friends there. It's easier to share ideas visually through that medium. Also, everyone is very open to sharing ideas and building each other up.
WHERE DO YOU GO TO GET INSPIRED?
I like to look at others work, talk to friends, view old artwork pieces by the impressionists. I also like to look at my kids' faces, and the things that they enjoy. Ideas always come from the most unusual places.
WHERE ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO GO ON A DATE?
We love to discover new places and things, Hiking south mountain, Tempe town lake, papago park, or a baseball game at the goodyear ball park.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO GO SHOPPING?
WestGate, Tempe marketplace, Tanger Outlets, Scottsdale Fashion Square
WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO EXERCISE?
Hiking south mountain is one of the best things to do!
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A PHOTOGRAPHER?
I purchased my first camera in 2003, and slowly learned to find the beauty in light and objects. I followed another photographer around as an assistant, learned lighting, composition, etc. and finally started out on my own in 2010.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR LATEST PROJECTS?
I've been working on a scripture series with the youth of our church. We are recreating bible stories using them as models. In doing this we've found some amazing places around the city such as Rio Salado Parkway.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Provo, Utah
WHAT'S YOUR SIGN?
Cancer
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
Pasta of any kind. Or Steak.
WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE?
I'm a classical violinist - so, Classic Rock, of course. Seriously, Metallica, Guns and Roses - and Beethoven.
FAVORITE STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
Natural light photography - captured in the moment.
WHAT CAMERA DO YOU USE?
Canon 5d Mk iii
TOP 3 FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHERS?
Ansel Adams, Jeremy Chou, Annie Leibovitz
TOP 3 FAVORITE TV SHOWS?
I'm sure you're expecting something profound here, but honestly - Last Man Standing (it makes me laugh), Reign, Anything that is a documentary on British history.
TOP 3 FAVORITE MOVIES?
Mr. Holland's Opus, Monuments Men, Singin' in the Rain
WHERE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE YOU'VE EVER BEEN?
Evanston Wyoming - we have a family cabin there on top of the mountain. It's the closest thing to Heaven I think that exists.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL NEXT?
Greece. Italy. Germany.
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING THAT MADE YOU SMILE?
My husband just walked in and sang a silly song. He does that a lot.
TELL US SOMETHING EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT YOU?
I am the girl that does everything - lots of hobbies and jobs to keep me busy.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
Music. Playing with my kids. Photography. (Can my job be my hobby? It totally is.)
LIFE MOTTO?
Just Keep Swimming.
FAVORITE CHARITIES?
American Cancer Society and the LDS Church.
YOUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES?
THANKS TAMARA, FOR SHOWING US AROUND THE PHOENIX AREA.
PHOTO CREDITS: TAMARA HANCOCK