Photography has always been a big part of Dalia Chacon’s life,
and the owner of Dalia’s Portraits recently opened her own studio
in Hollister.
Photography has always been a big part of Dalia Chacon’s life, and the owner of Dalia’s Portraits recently opened her own studio in Hollister.
Portrait photography is dear to Chacon’s heart. Part of the reason she loves doing portraits is her ability to see something in people that they don’t.
“When having their picture taken, everybody has a good side. I can see the good side of people,” Chacon said. “Most people hate having their picture taken because their good side often isn’t what shows. Women tend to be their own worst critics. Yet, when I look at a person I can see which is their good side and what will make the best picture. I think I capture that good side a lot.”
Chacon started in photography in high school as a hobby, then took some photography classes in college. She worked for portrait studios before becoming a partner in a studio around 1990.
She also did an eight year stint in the Army and managed to complete college. After spending the last six years on inactive reserve duty, Chacon is upgrading her Army reserve status to active. But no matter what twists and turns her life takes, photography remains a factor in it.
A native of San Benito County, Chacon knows the area well. While she does many portraits at her studio, she’s always ready to go out on location.
“I’ll go to the beach, the park, wherever people want to have their photos done,” she said. “I’m not at the studio all the time; that’s why I work by appointment only.”
Chacon’s home is in a rural setting, which makes it popular for those who want their portrait taken outdoors.
“We have an old wagon wheel and a big old oak tree,” she said. “It’s especially beautiful this time of year when everything is so green.”
Chacon also gets requests for portraits of people with their pets.
“During the holidays a friend of mine wanted a photo done with her two dogs,” she said. “She put a halo on one and wings on the other. The dog with the halo kept taking it off and jumping at the camera. She got so frustrated but I told her to relax, I would get the picture, and I did.”
Chacon knows that the portraits she takes are precious.
“One sitting that sticks out in my mind was during a student/parent night,” she said. “The pictures were supposed to be of the student and their parents, but this family wanted to get everyone in. I said that was fine with me and took their picture. It was a Friday night.”
The next day, the father was killed in a motorcycle accident.
“The family called asking if I could get them a copy of the picture for the wake,” Chacon said. “Everything was closed because it was a weekend, but I finally managed to get them a copy. Later, I had an enlargement done, found an antique frame for the picture and sent it to the family as a gift.”
Working with young children can be a challenge, but as the mother of an active little boy it’s one Chacon embraces.
“Some people think I’m a kids specialist,” she said. “But what I do is give myself enough time to get the shot. The ones that lose it are the moms. I’ll sit down with the kids, and start talking to them. I’ll ask if they like Spongebob and their eyes will light up. That’s when I take my pictures.”
Chacon also does all the senior portraits for San Andreas School, Pinnacles School and Santa Ana School, as well as photography for festive events.
“When I do something large like a wedding, I try to keep it affordable,” she said. “What I do is real basic, but affordable for those wanting professional pictures.”
Dalia’s Portraits is located at 140 Fifth Street. Photos are taken by appointment only. For more information or to make an appointment, call 636-6516.
