meet our Interview guest
Wayne Moran
I was born in southern California the middle of five children. I loved to camp in the mountains and swim in the ocean. We moved to central Minnesota to be closer to family and I finished up grade school and high school there. I graduated from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN with a degree in Mathematics and Air Force ROTC studies and a concentration in Physics, Computer Science and Music. I met my wife in college while singing in the college choir and started dating after singing at a fellow choir members wedding. We married one year after college while I was in the Air Force and we moved to New Hampshire. I Entered the Air Force after college and became a weather officer. Remember Tom Clancy’s book “Red Storm Rising” The weather officer character was me.
After the Air Force we moved back to Minnesota to raise our growing family and I become a software engineer. I became a Christian in 1993 through the ministry of KTIS Christian radio and the Holy Spirit. I have always been interested in issues of faith and belief and that is what you will find frequently discussed in this blog. As a Minnesota based photographer and artist, Wayne focuses his skills and energies on landscapes, cityscapes, architectural, nature and portrait photography.
His best work comes from images first painted in his mind. He mulls over a prospective image for weeks or months, seeing it from different angles and perspectives, then finally deciding what to capture, he takes action. The result is images that deeply touch a person’s emotions and powerfully evoke memories and dreams.
His images are used commercially by companies and organizations ranging from Financial Services firms, mom and pop Ice Cream shops and The Basilica of St Mary. The images are used to communicate their shared vision and values. Book, magazine and calendar publishers have featured his images in their publications and on their covers. His photographs also grace and enhance the décor of many fine homes.
Instagram: @waynemoranmn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WayneMoranPhotography/
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.lettherebelightfineart.com/
Other: https://twitter.com/waynemoran_inc
After the Air Force we moved back to Minnesota to raise our growing family and I become a software engineer. I became a Christian in 1993 through the ministry of KTIS Christian radio and the Holy Spirit. I have always been interested in issues of faith and belief and that is what you will find frequently discussed in this blog. As a Minnesota based photographer and artist, Wayne focuses his skills and energies on landscapes, cityscapes, architectural, nature and portrait photography.
His best work comes from images first painted in his mind. He mulls over a prospective image for weeks or months, seeing it from different angles and perspectives, then finally deciding what to capture, he takes action. The result is images that deeply touch a person’s emotions and powerfully evoke memories and dreams.
His images are used commercially by companies and organizations ranging from Financial Services firms, mom and pop Ice Cream shops and The Basilica of St Mary. The images are used to communicate their shared vision and values. Book, magazine and calendar publishers have featured his images in their publications and on their covers. His photographs also grace and enhance the décor of many fine homes.
Instagram: @waynemoranmn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WayneMoranPhotography/
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.lettherebelightfineart.com/
Other: https://twitter.com/waynemoran_inc
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
As a young kid, I was born and raised in the early years in Los Angeles California. By the time I was in 1st or 2nd grade my mother took me downtown somewhere to take art classes because I was different from the other kids. I remember one day in particular, she dropped me off and she would have picked me up sometime later when the class was done.
I went to the door and the door was locked, so I walked a block away and asked a bum for a nickel to call my mom. He did not have a nickel. So I decided to walk home. Thus began my long path into the creative world.
As a young high school student, I had the small instamatic camera capturing family events. In college, I had a better camera, which I have no idea where and how I got, but again I was capturing events and beautiful scenes. And people were moved by my images.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
In college, I was a math major moving towards Air Force Service so I was not on a creative path at all. I remember hearing about a student that was studying to be a photo journalist and I was jealous, but I had no idea I would ever have the opportunity to do any of that.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don’t find themselves in a creative background or field? Life family/friends/strangers?
No one seems to understand how a technical person (my math background turned into a career in computer programming, and I'm still a computer programmer for my full time gig) can turn into a fine art photographer / travel photographer and travel writer. It is even worse if I tell them I am a travel influencer. No one has any idea what that is.
Now I create art, sell art/prints etc., license many images, write travel articles and I teach students how to do the same. It all came from my pastor/mentor asking me why I was not taking my photography more seriously.
As a young kid, I was born and raised in the early years in Los Angeles California. By the time I was in 1st or 2nd grade my mother took me downtown somewhere to take art classes because I was different from the other kids. I remember one day in particular, she dropped me off and she would have picked me up sometime later when the class was done.
I went to the door and the door was locked, so I walked a block away and asked a bum for a nickel to call my mom. He did not have a nickel. So I decided to walk home. Thus began my long path into the creative world.
As a young high school student, I had the small instamatic camera capturing family events. In college, I had a better camera, which I have no idea where and how I got, but again I was capturing events and beautiful scenes. And people were moved by my images.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
In college, I was a math major moving towards Air Force Service so I was not on a creative path at all. I remember hearing about a student that was studying to be a photo journalist and I was jealous, but I had no idea I would ever have the opportunity to do any of that.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don’t find themselves in a creative background or field? Life family/friends/strangers?
No one seems to understand how a technical person (my math background turned into a career in computer programming, and I'm still a computer programmer for my full time gig) can turn into a fine art photographer / travel photographer and travel writer. It is even worse if I tell them I am a travel influencer. No one has any idea what that is.
Now I create art, sell art/prints etc., license many images, write travel articles and I teach students how to do the same. It all came from my pastor/mentor asking me why I was not taking my photography more seriously.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
Part of what I do as a fine art landscape photographer is making a conscientious effort to capture some of the most amazingly beautiful natural places in the world. When you are at a location such as Yosemite National Park or Banff National Park Alberta Canada, you encounter God in the amazing beauty of his creation. There are other times when I am working on a difficult project, where I take a break, and say a prayer giving the problem to God. Later I get to revel in how it all worked out.
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
Capturing and creating fine art photography. When a person views an image of mine and exclaims, “That looks like a painting,” I have created that piece of art correctly.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
I used to be a singer/worship leader and I love most forms of music.
And if you take photography as my main form of expression, you would have to add as well writing. This is so funny because in College, I was basically illiterate and hated to write. But I started blogging way back in 2003 on all kinds of different issues and in doing so I forced myself to keep working on my writing.
Are others in your family creative too?
Not my parents or siblings, but my oldest son went to college for art. My second son has become an amazing baker and gardener. My daughter is a professional singer and who knows what the 4th child will do.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I have felt unsupported from the Christian community for my art work. The vast majority of my support and encouragement has come from the secular world. I think I am being called to support and encourage other Christian creatives. Frankly, that is why I looked you up.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Get the vision clear in your mind for what you want to do. Find others who have gotten there. Meet a Mentor and ask the hard questions that keep you accountable.
How do you juggle your business/family/social time?
I joke that I work my regular job 8 hrs a day, photography 8 hrs a day, and I do family 8 hrs a day. There is some truth to that.
I do work 8 hrs a day on my normal job, but I have chosen jobs that will not kill me and allow me to be flexible.
I get up very early in the morning (5:00 a.m.) to 2 hrs of social media as my photography marketing. I am also able to do social media and other tasks throughout the day because of my flexible job.
Family scheduling gets priority on the calendar. Simply block out on your calendar a month or so in advance everything that is important, and once you have said yes, it stays on the calendar.
Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.
Ruthlessly say no to anything that is not important.
Being able to say no, gives you the ability to say yes to the important stuff.
Part of what I do as a fine art landscape photographer is making a conscientious effort to capture some of the most amazingly beautiful natural places in the world. When you are at a location such as Yosemite National Park or Banff National Park Alberta Canada, you encounter God in the amazing beauty of his creation. There are other times when I am working on a difficult project, where I take a break, and say a prayer giving the problem to God. Later I get to revel in how it all worked out.
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
Capturing and creating fine art photography. When a person views an image of mine and exclaims, “That looks like a painting,” I have created that piece of art correctly.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
I used to be a singer/worship leader and I love most forms of music.
And if you take photography as my main form of expression, you would have to add as well writing. This is so funny because in College, I was basically illiterate and hated to write. But I started blogging way back in 2003 on all kinds of different issues and in doing so I forced myself to keep working on my writing.
Are others in your family creative too?
Not my parents or siblings, but my oldest son went to college for art. My second son has become an amazing baker and gardener. My daughter is a professional singer and who knows what the 4th child will do.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I have felt unsupported from the Christian community for my art work. The vast majority of my support and encouragement has come from the secular world. I think I am being called to support and encourage other Christian creatives. Frankly, that is why I looked you up.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Get the vision clear in your mind for what you want to do. Find others who have gotten there. Meet a Mentor and ask the hard questions that keep you accountable.
How do you juggle your business/family/social time?
I joke that I work my regular job 8 hrs a day, photography 8 hrs a day, and I do family 8 hrs a day. There is some truth to that.
I do work 8 hrs a day on my normal job, but I have chosen jobs that will not kill me and allow me to be flexible.
I get up very early in the morning (5:00 a.m.) to 2 hrs of social media as my photography marketing. I am also able to do social media and other tasks throughout the day because of my flexible job.
Family scheduling gets priority on the calendar. Simply block out on your calendar a month or so in advance everything that is important, and once you have said yes, it stays on the calendar.
Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.
Ruthlessly say no to anything that is not important.
Being able to say no, gives you the ability to say yes to the important stuff.