MEET OLYMPUS EDUCATOR LEDRA DAVIS-WOODLEE
WHO ARE YOU?
I'm from Atlanta Georgia, and currently reside in the beautiful North Georgia mountain town of Blue Ridge. I've lived all of my life in Georgia and specialize in landscape, nature and travel photography. My workshops are mostly throughout the United States.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE A PHOTOGRAPHER?
I bought my first DSLR while in Law School - desperately needing a creative outlet and release from all of the studying.
I have always enjoyed landscape and nature the most because it allows me to travel and see the beautiful places this country has to offer.
INTRODUCING OLYMPUS
How did you get started with the Olympus system?
In 2012 while working for Showcase Photo in Atlanta, GA - our Olympus rep loaned me a few PEN items for my wedding trip to Hawaii. I hardly even touched my DSLR gear because the Olympus system was always conveniently right there in any bag I carried.
What’s your go-to Olympus setup?
The M.Zuiko 12-100 F4.0 IS PRO hardly comes off of my camera for personal and every day shooting. Although during my workshops, I am there specifically for my students and the M.Zuiko 12-200mm F3.5-6.3 allows maximum flexibility in one lens. Generally my bag will contain two E-M1 Mark II’s, the 12-100mm, M,Zuiko 40-150mm F2.8 PRO, MC-20 and MC-14 teleconverters, and the M.Zuiko 300mm F4.0 IS PRO if I’m out shooting wildlife.
How does Olympus help you do your job?
Olympus’ size is EVERYTHING for me. When I am running a workshop I simply cannot take a lot of time to change lenses or set up to shoot for my own needs. I must have the flexibility of the amazing zoom lenses and stunning image stabilization these cameras provide. I rarely shoot with a tripod anymore! This helps me to be literally ‘hands-on’ with my participants to help them with THEIR needs and not fussing with lots of heavy gear.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE OLYMPUS FAMILY?
I love being able to keep up with all of the new products and help my workshop participants with any questions they have about what gear is best for their needs.
TIPS FOR OTHER BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS
What’s the greatest piece of advice you can give budding photographers? Purchase gear that doesn’t weigh you down and that can grow with your growing interests and abilities. A mid-rage camera (like the E-M5 Mark III) with an all in one lens (12-100mm or 12-200mm) is the perfect choice in gear to help a new photographer to develop his or her own shooting style and to help them decide what future purchases they should make.
TIPS FOR OTHER PRO PHOTOGRAPHERS
What’s a good tip to give to pro-photogs like you? Buy Olympus. You’ll always have at least one camera that you can take anywhere...
MORE ABOUT LEDRA
Website: Natural Connections Photo Workshops
Facebook: Natural Connections Photo Workshops
