There's so much more to me and what I do besides just toting around a camera and making great art. There's a whole lot of chaos, kids, trials, inspiration, beauty and a LOT of coffee.
The new old kid in town
Growing up in a small town and having the luxury of knowing almost everyone in my community on a personal level is something I wish for everyone to experience at least once in their lives. Knowing you can reach out in any direction and find someone you know and trust to have your back gives you such a profound sense of comfort and security. I took that luxury for granted for a long time. It was all I knew. It took me moving 2000 miles away and setting up shop in a bustling urban environment to truly understand how good I really had it. I guess part of me expected that my work would just speak for itself and I would have no issues whatsoever reaching my target audience. I didn't take into account that all of the wonderful (free but PRICELESS) advertising via word of mouth would not follow me. I guess I put too much on my skill, experience and successes to fully realize how big a part that word of mouth played in to my success. I have never had problems making friends wherever I go, so I just assumed that it would be easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy to jump right back in. I couldn't have been more blind and oblivious. Looking back now, it makes me want to write a personal, heartfelt email thanking every single client and colleague who ever supported me and my business in the past. Those people will never know just how much their patronage and praise will always mean to me.
I was forced to take a hiatus from the industry due to some unfortunate family circumstances and I used that time to regroup and get myself together to come back better than ever. It never really dawned on me that I'd be going from the top of Everest back down to basecamp without the support of my hometown community... like trying to ascend the titan peak again without oxygen. Things move FAST in the digital age and while I was away, networking and the use of social media really skyrocketed. All of the connections I had with my previous clients now had to be forged over an internet connection and any device able to connect to it and me. I started joining groups and listening to podcasts and webinars... something I never even would have given a thought to doing in the past. I had to adopt the "be teachable" fame of mind I'm always drilling into my "know everything" 13 year old daughter's head. I was so used to teaching others for so long that it almost felt unnatural to be the one seeking advice and information. And then something very important clicked deep inside. That damn ego... I had to get my ego in check, and put it aside unconditionally, without bias, without exceptions. That was something 30 year old me could never have done. But, as they say, with age comes wisdom and with wisdom comes enlightenment. I'm just so grateful that I was able to humble myself and allow myself to be taught and advised in areas I USED to be an expert in. That was then, this is now. And while I have my signature style in which my confidence is solid, and the experience in connecting with people in a one-on-one environment, I do NOT possess all of the skills necessary to connect and forge new relationships in this new age of social media.
So, what better way to conquer this hill than to be transparent, to be candid and share the things that make me who I am. I promise that I am not always as serious as this post may sound, this is just a season in my life that requires a little more attention and humility.
In all honesty, if you asked my friends how they would describe me, they would tell you I'm the friend that has to be briefed on what kind of situation I'm about to walk into, so that I can compose myself and act accordingly. I find humor in almost everything, sometimes inappropriately (I won't lie) but I, of course, know when and when not to let that side of Dayna run free. I'm weak for a well-timed pun or ultra-cringe dad joke and I am not easily offended. I can say with absolute certainty that it's because of this trait, that I have always been able to connect with my clients in my own special way. I can read a room, read emotions, read moods and have a knack for turning some of those moments into timeless pieces of art. Especially when it comes to the emotional side of things. I have always wanted more than anything for my clients to feel comfortable in all the most important ways. There is a vulnerability about being in front of a camera. I personally HATE it. I cannot stand having a lens pointed at me. I instantly turn into a deer caught in the headlights... frozen with a constipated look on my face. While I've yet to find someone who can make me relax in front of a camera, I know how to do it for others, and do it well. How? By listening, following cues, sharing stories... By simply being someone's friend. That's the ultimate goal with every client I work with. I've always prided myself on the enormous list of people that became cherished friends through the years in this business. I've had the absolute honor of growing along with my clients and their families through milestones and successes. From meeting a young couple who just wanted a few cute photos together, to their engagement session, to the wedding, to the maternity session, the birth, the precious newborn portraits, first birthdays, first day of school to the last, I've been beyond blessed to be there to witness it for so many and that's my end goal here in my new town. I want to know your families, your dreams, your passions, your visions... even your fears and doubts so we can work through them together as friends often do.
And laugh. I love to laugh. I love to make others laugh. There's just too much negativity out there to combat. I choose to fight it with comedy and camaraderie.
So, with that said, I'm not just out here to take photos and make money while doing it. That's just a benefit to the job description. I'm here to get to know you, to offer you the opportunity to feel like you can let go, relax and trust your friend behind the camera. I want to see your eyes well up with happy tears when you see that one shot of your child that perfectly encompasses the very essence of what makes them who they are. Or when you put your hand over your mouth in disbelief that you actually, for once, love a photo of yourself. Those are the moments I live for as a photographer. There is no better rush, nothing quite as wholesome and intimate.
Because I care, because I am rooting for you, because you are human and deserve to feel like the beautifully unique and inspiring person you truly are, and for others to see that beauty shine through in your portraits.
At least, that's what I think a good friend should do ;)
