Today we’d like to introduce you to Dakota Williams
Hi Dakota, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My Journey with a camera happened so organically when my Dad gifted me a little red Nikon for Christmas in grade school. The camera which was used for documenting friends and family in the backyard of my childhood home. Fast forward to now, states away building connections and working with some of my dream clients. Since fully committing to this job, my passion and love for this business has not stopped growing. I found solace and inspiration in freezing moments that convey emotions and tell stories without uttering a single word. My style of my Photography is a balanced mix between ‘Fly on the Wall’ and Organized Editorial. A style of documenting that captures both the in between unseen moments and keep sakes of core memories that will last for generations.
Small town Ohio girl at heart, but made my move to the Florida Keys in 2022. A place that holds a very special place in my heart. In 2024 I made my move to the Tampa St Pete area to expand my business and meet even more amazing Clients. I was confident from a young age that I would head south and live by the water. The ocean is something that brings me so much peace and comfort, it almost grounds me every time I’m stuck in a creative battle so this was an investment I had to make in myself and I feel it speaks volumes in my work. The last couple of years has also been spent expanding my portfolio Nationwide and building clientele in Arizona, New Jersey, NYC, Ohio, Tennessee and all over Florida. Mixing my love for Photography and Travel has been a dream come true and I can’t wait to add more states to the list.
I started making sacrifices for this job as far back as high school. Quitting a childhood sport Senior year, switching to College classes I could take online so I would have more time to invest in my business. Not but shortly after, I left home to start building clientele. Following that when I made my next move to Florida, I had no family/friends or connections down here. I had to learn to grow in uncomfortable situations and put myself out there.
I will say choosing between the Place that feels like home and the People that feel like home was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. This is still something I struggle with everyday as I build my new life, the support system I have back in Middletown Ohio is a huge factor in my success.
If I had to give any sort of advice on how I got here, it would be work Fearlessly. I would rather fail trying than fail to try. Having dreams in this world is scary, there more people telling you how your going to fail before you even start, than people cheering you on. In my case, I was never scared to struggle in fact I expected it. I knew I had more to gain than
more to lose, because I couldn’t ‘lose’. If things didn’t go the way I planned I would still walk out with the experience, knowledge and connections I didn’t have before, and that right there is priceless and something money can’t buy. I was taught dreams don’t chase you back, If you want it, be the Go Getter. So sacrifice after sacrifice, move after move, miles away from everything I’ve ever know I wouldn’t change a thing because I truly love what I do, and I know I’m doing it all for the right reasons. I will preach it over and over again, but the worst thing you can be is comfortable. Push the boundaries and comfort zones, watch yourself grow in ways you didn’t know were possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say my journey with this business has definitely had its fair share of ups and downs. Turning and art like this into a business at such a young age is a struggle on its own. This is a saturated market and there are a lot of very talented photographers out there, you have to find your niche and set your self apart. In my case the diversity of what I’m shooting ranges all the way from families and seniors to weddings and branding. So staying on top of the trends and new technics to be the best I can be while also shooting and working in multiple states is a lot for one plate. However, the drive and motivation I’ve had for getting my photos out there and connecting with clients is somethings thats never wavered or failed.
I had learned to put myself out there a little more especially with social media. Giving clients, new and old, the chance to know a little more about the person behind the lens. Even though that has been a tough and scary thing on my end, from a clients perspective you aren’t just booking the service you are booking the person behind the screen. I am proud to say so many complements I’ve received are on how comfortable my clients and their families/spouses have felt durning our sessions. From a photographers pov, that small change makes the world of a difference in the final gallery. When people feel there most comfortable and relaxed that when the photos always look the best.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Local/Destination Photographer. With clientele based in Ohio, Tampa, St Pete, Arizona, New Jersey, the Florida Keys + beyond. I shoot anything from Branding, Portraits, Families to Weddings and Events, described by my clients as the perfect one stop shop. New clients turn lifelong clients after the first milestone we shoot together, whether that be and engagement to wedding, then a pregnancy announcement to maternity, all the way to family photos. Connections and real relationships with clients are really valued over here. When offering so many services I would say I don’t specialize in a specific type of session, more so how it’s shot. Staying true to the natural colors of the photos while shooting both Digital and Film for a classy elegant and timeless feel. Documenting every session valuing the unseen and chaos as much and the posed, is what sets me apart. Curating a final gallery with photos that hold emotion and feel nostalgic is my goal. A documentary storyteller with and editorial spin.
What does success mean to you?
When I comes to success it isn’t about the money or fame for me. Reaching people all across the World who value and admire the photos I’m taking is seriously the biggest pinch me moment and still something I can’t wrap my head around. So the feeling of being successful in this journey is getting to meet and work with clients from all over wether thats me coming to them or vise versa. It is such a fulfilling feeling getting to give someone a much needed confidence boost, pressing pause on some of the biggest milestones in their life, or giving couples photos that can be shared for generations. Continuing to grow this little community and accomplish the goals within that is the success I’m chasing.
Pricing:
- Services offered:
- *Couples *Lifestyle (Including Seniors/Maternity/Announcements ect.) *Family
- Wedding Packages ranging from 6-10 Hrs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dakotawilliamsphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakotawilliamsphotography/?hl=en
Image Credits
Dakota Williams Photography
