We had the good fortune of connecting with Lorna Daniel-Dupree and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lorna, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learnt so far in my career is -take the challenge. If something feels difficult, daunting, gives you butterflies, DO IT !. You only grow and learn through challenging yourself. Never be scared for change or failure. Failure is apart of growth. Celebrate it just as much as your successes. I was once told “You can try and fail but never fail to try”, those words have influenced my life choices and career ever since.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Professionally, I am a camera assistant in the film industry as well as an artist and a boutique wine business owner. However, my Chimera Cyclopedia series is my passion project. It’s my own little mystical world of mythological creatures. Each have its own background story. My dream is to have the series printed into an actual encyclopedia of about 30 or more creatures. I have always been slightly obsessed with Greek, Egyptian and Roman mythology.
According to Greek Mythology, the Chimera was a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature, depicted as a lion, with the head of a goat protruding from its back, and a tail that might end with a snake’s head.
The term Chimera has come to describe any mythical or fictional animal comprised of disparate parts taken from various animals.
I started it in 2014 when I was living at a bush lodge in South Africa. I would find skulls and bones on my walks and collect them (and clean them) and then find volunteers to pose with them.
They are so much fun to make. The only challenge is finding the skulls.
At first I would photograph everything in situ however when it came to some of the bigger creatures I realised I had to expand my skills and learn compositing in Photoshop.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Knowing my best friend, Universal Studios would be on the list for one of the days. hahaha. However, do a breakfast at Figaro Café on Vermont in Los Feliz.

Grab a Yuca pibil burrito for lunch one day.
Definitely drive to Santa Barbara and have a picnic in the gardens next to the Mission, maybe stop in Santa Monica or Venice for a rooftop cocktail on the way home.
Get Indian food at All India Cafe in Glendale.
Grab Korea BBQ or even Brazilian BBQ (H&H Steakhouse).
Hike in Griffith Park up to the Observatory one morning as the sun rises.
And lastly, visit the Getty Museum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe so much to my parents. To be able to be exposed to so much adventure and travel in my younger years is what keeps me inspired and fascinated about the world.

They and my brother have always been inspirations in my life. From the incredible lives they have lived and the lessons they have taught and continue to teach. My husband who is not only my biggest cheerleader but inspires me to be better everyday. My gran, who taught me, you don’t have to be loud to be bold. My friends, Jeanine Burger, Larissa Costa Pereira Evans and Rochan Liu, Siobhan Connolly.
Mrs Holland, a teacher whom encouraged my curiosity.
Richard Bakewell, aka Chief. A mentor and friend. Who took me under his wing and taught me most of what I know today.
Faheema Hendricks. Jerry Henry, Glenn Evans, Letty Gallegos, Dawn Fleischman, Heather Fitchet.
Growing up I was inspired by David Attenborough, Jane Goodall and Kelly Slater.

Some books that changed by life: You’re a Badass by Jenn Sincero, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series- because everyone needs a little magic and wonder in their mind.

There are so many more people that I should mention. Every single person I have met in my life has influenced me in some way. Changed my perspective, encouraged me or challenged me. I thank them all the same.

This world and the people and creatures that live on it; it is really inspiring place wherever you look.

Website: www.lornaraephotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornaraephotog/

Image Credits
All images are my own Lorna Rae Photography- Chimera Cyclopedia

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.