Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Delane
Hi Adam, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Who am I? I’m someone who has always seen the world through a creative lens. Growing up as a middle child in Cincinnati, Ohio, I had to navigate life in my own unique way. Being in the middle meant carving out my own space, finding beauty in the everyday, and developing a perspective that was all my own. That way of seeing the world is what drives my photography today—creating images that stand apart and make people stop and admire the art, beauty, and creativity behind them.
When I bought my first camera over a decade ago, it wasn’t for business—it was because I wanted to create. I was already immersed in the world of jewelry, where attention to detail was second nature. That same eye for detail carried over into photography, but what drew me to it was the limitless potential to experiment and craft something extraordinary. I wanted to capture people and moments in ways that felt bold and unique, giving the world something it hadn’t seen before.
The name “Give Me Face” comes from my on-set personality. It’s what I say to clients to bring out their best expressions. It’s my way of encouraging them to let loose and bring life to every shot. For me, it’s not just about taking a picture—it’s about pushing boundaries, creating images that make people say, “I’ve never seen anything like this.” That’s what I love most about photography: the chance to make art that feels fresh, original, and completely different from anything else out there.
Over the years, this passion has taken me across the country—from New York to Puerto Rico, Seattle to Los Angeles. Along the way, I’ve honed my craft, building a body of work that reflects my love for creativity and originality. My goal is always the same: to create something that makes people stop, admire, and feel inspired. It’s not about stories or narratives; it’s about crafting art that speaks for itself—beautiful, striking, and unforgettable.
Looking back, I never imagined that picking up a camera would lead to such an incredible journey. But here I am, over a decade later, still driven by the same excitement and passion I had when I first started. Photography isn’t just my career—it’s the way I show the world what’s possible when creativity and vision collide.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road—far from it. Like any journey worth taking, mine has been full of twists, turns, and lessons I didn’t even know I needed. One of the biggest challenges I faced was transitioning from simply enjoying photography as a creative outlet to making it my full-time career. When you turn your passion into your livelihood, there’s a constant pressure to deliver, to evolve, and to stand out in a crowded field. Balancing that with staying true to my vision hasn’t always been easy.
A pivotal chapter in my journey began when I moved to Tampa, Florida, to pursue photography full-time. Back in Cincinnati, I had built a name for myself as the city’s top jeweler for over a decade before I even picked up a professional camera. My reputation gave me a solid foundation, and I leveraged it as I transitioned into photography. But in Tampa? It was like starting from scratch. No one knew my name, and I had to prove myself all over again.
Starting over was tough—humbling in ways I didn’t expect. The hustle in Tampa required a different kind of energy. It wasn’t enough to just be talented; I had to actively market myself, build relationships, and establish a presence in a city where I was just another newcomer. The grind was intense, and there were times I wondered if I’d made the right move. It was a struggle to get booked, and the financial strain was real. I found myself coming back to Cincinnati every month to run up funds, only to return to Tampa and try again. After two years of this back-and-forth, I made the tough decision to reverse the plan—move back to Cincinnati, where I had my foundation, and travel to Florida for bookings instead.
Despite the challenges, Tampa wasn’t a failure—it was a stepping stone. The connections I made there have stayed with me and have even led to some of my biggest clients to this day. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of consistency, even when it feels like no one’s watching.
Compounding the struggles in Tampa was a car accident that could have taken my life. It forced me to slow down and re-evaluate everything. That experience set me back physically and emotionally, making the decision to return home to Cincinnati even more necessary. Coming back wasn’t easy—it felt like admitting defeat in some ways—but it was also a fresh start. I used that time to rebuild, refine my craft, and leverage the connections I had made in both Cincinnati and Tampa to push my career forward.
Looking back, the road has been anything but smooth. But every struggle—whether it was starting over in a new city, juggling the financial strain of pursuing my passion, or recovering from life-altering setbacks—has shaped me into the artist and person I am today. It’s taught me that success isn’t linear and that sometimes stepping back allows you to move forward with even more clarity and purpose.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work revolves around capturing creativity in its purest form. As a photographer, I specialize in crafting images that make people stop, admire, and feel something. Whether it’s a striking portrait, a conceptual shoot, or a moment that’s entirely unscripted, my focus is always on creating visuals that are as unique as the people and stories behind them. My style isn’t about following trends or sticking to a formula—it’s about producing something bold, something unforgettable.
What I’m most known for is my ability to draw out emotions and expressions from my subjects. I’m not the kind of photographer who just clicks the shutter and hopes for the best. On set, I bring energy and connection, encouraging my clients to “Give me face!” That phrase has become my signature, embodying my approach to capturing authentic, striking images. Facial expressions can elevate a photo from ordinary to extraordinary, and I take pride in making people feel comfortable enough to show every side of themselves in front of my lens. I’m also known for how well I’m able to pose my subjects. When people book with me most already have seen the videos of me showing clients different poses and expressions. I’m also known for building elaborate sets never seen on Ohio. Like my Morocco set that had real sand or my rain forest set with real mist and rain with greenery and plants.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built through my work. Photography has taken me from Cincinnati to cities across the country, connecting me with incredible clients, creatives, and collaborators. Some of my biggest clients and opportunities have come from relationships I nurtured during my time in Tampa, Florida. Those moments remind me how far I’ve come and how much of this journey is about the people you meet along the way.
What sets me apart is my commitment to pushing boundaries. I don’t approach photography as just a job—it’s my art form, my passion, and my way of seeing the world. I want people to look at my work and say, “I’ve never seen anything like that before.” It’s not about telling stories in the traditional sense—it’s about creating something so visually compelling that it speaks for itself. I’m always experimenting, always challenging myself to see how far I can take an idea, a composition, or a collaboration.
At the heart of it all, what truly drives me is the desire to create work that leaves an impression. Photography allows me to translate what’s in my head into something tangible, something beautiful. It’s not just about taking pictures—it’s about creating moments that stick with people, that make them stop, admire, and think. That’s the magic of what I do, and it’s what keeps me inspired every single day.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk-taking has been a defining factor in my journey—not just as a photographer but as a person. I wouldn’t say I’ve always been fearless, but I’ve learned that the most rewarding moments in life often come from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Risks are scary because there’s no guarantee of success, but they’re also where growth happens. Every time I’ve taken a leap of faith, whether it’s moving to a new city, starting over from scratch, or even turning down safe opportunities to pursue my passion, I’ve come out of it with valuable lessons and, often, unexpected rewards.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was moving to Tampa, Florida, to chase my dream of becoming a full-time photographer. Leaving Cincinnati, where I was already well-known as a jeweler and had a solid network, to go to a city where no one knew me was a huge gamble. I quickly realized how different the grind is when you’re starting from zero. There were months of uncertainty, of wondering if I had made the right decision. I’d even return home to Cincinnati every month just to rebuild my funds so I could keep pushing forward in Florida. But even though I eventually decided to move back to Cincinnati, that risk wasn’t a failure. The connections I made during those two years have led to some of my biggest clients and continue to open doors for me today.
I also think about risk in terms of creativity. In photography, I’m constantly experimenting, trying new techniques, or pushing boundaries to create something fresh. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t. But I’d rather take the chance of creating something bold and unique than play it safe and produce work that feels uninspired. That mindset—of not being afraid to fail—has shaped my style and helped me stand out in a competitive field. Heck, if I never took risk than I would have never sparked a world-wide photography challenge #TheHobbyLobbyChallenge. Which inspired tens of thousands of people to go into their nearest craft store and take photos by the fake flowers. The risk was going into the store with my models and camera and building mini sets in the fake flower aisles.
Ultimately, I see risk-taking as necessary. It’s uncomfortable, and sometimes it doesn’t pay off the way you hope, but it’s also where growth happens. It’s how you find out what you’re really capable of. Whether it’s personal, professional, or creative, I’ve learned that you can’t truly succeed without being willing to take a few risks along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://GiveMeFaceCo.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/givemeface_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/givemefacephoto
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/productsbydelane/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GiveMeFaceCo
