They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and this week we’re going to dedicate some of our words to one of the ladies behind the lens. Deny Howeth is a Southern Delaware local, who after spending time working in New York City, Las Vegas Nevada, and Phoenix Arizona, returned to the Delaware beaches in 2010; where we’re lucky enough to consume her work—often in the pages of this publication, The Cape Current. Deny is an artist who dominates all facets of photography – Family Beach Photos, Editorial, Portraiture, Headshots, Personal/Business Branding, Events, Product Photography, Food Photography and Landscapes Photography…just to name a few.
When she was a sophomore at Cape Henlopen High School, she was gifted her first camera by her parents. “I was always drawn to the arts. I tried painting, but I couldn’t ever re-create what my eyes saw. When I found out Cape Henlopen had a state-of-the-art dark room, I tried Photography, and never looked back,” Deny said. The path that many artists take is one where they work a 9-5 job and practice their craft on the side. But, Deny could be referred to as “Unicorn” in the arts, having always, and only, worked in the field of Photography. She was determined to make a career of her passion. “My father worked in Sales and had an office on 2nd Street in Lewes. Back then, he let me use the closet in his office as a dark room,” she laughed. Her first paid job out of High School was for a former local Delaware paper called, “The Whale.”
She did have a moment in time when she considered becoming an arborist. “I was always interested in nature and gardening, and I took a class in NYC to be an arborist, but I ended up always getting to the classes early to take photos, and the director noticed. He encouraged me to do a show,” Deny smiled. So, rather than make a career change, she had a photography exhibit of her work at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, New Jersey—and gave up her ideas of doing anything other than her first love, Photography.
“You are perfect as you are right now. Stand in your power and be brave. Choose to exist in photographs. Celebrate your personality. And remember today is priceless. Together we can create a gorgeous portrait.”
She later went on to become an Art Director for magazines, worked in Graphic Design for over 10 years, and has worked as a freelance Photojournalist. “I love making connections, making people feel at ease, so their personality comes through in the photos,” she explains. In a world where everything can be altered by Photoshop or AI, Deny confirms that she too can perform any kind of editing her clients want. However, she reminds us of her style and motto, found on her statement on the website; “You are perfect as you are right now. Stand in your power and be brave. Choose to exist in photographs. Celebrate your personality. And remember today is priceless. Together we can create a gorgeous portrait.”
When asked for some tips on how to get the perfect portrait photo on a cell phone, she shared some pro secrets. “Sit on the edge of your chair, turn a quarter of the way toward the camera, sit up tall—and suck in if you want,” she said with a smile and shrug. “Also, push your chin out to “turtle” your neck, it helps elongate your neck for a slimmer image.”
You can check out her website denyhoweth.com to purchase her prints, peruse her portfolio, or book her for your next family beach photo shoot, event, or any photography needs. Smile… say “cheese” and stand in your power!
