Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dallas Denoo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Dallas thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey for every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

For me, photography is a continuous learning process, because of its ever-changing landscape. I firmly believe that the most effective way to grow as a photographer is to pick up your camera every day. Regardless of subject or circumstance, the act of shooting is important for improvement. When I decided to reignite my passion for photography after a few years relying mostly on my phone camera, I recognized the need to change from using automatic settings to mastering manual control. This led me to enroll in my first photography course with Click Photo School, Mastering Manual.

From there, I started a learning path, exploring various aspects of photography such as using natural light to my benefit, posing, composition, the intricacies of macro photography and editing. Each course served as a building block and helped me refine my skills so I could transform an ordinary photo into a piece of art.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey was the discovery of my unique style and voice in the photography world. I naturally gravitate towards a moodier aesthetic, and honing in the ability to convey that mood into my images was another learning process. It’s not just about capturing an image; it’s about putting emotion into it and creating something that resonates with others.

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from some of the finest photographers in the industry. Their expertise and mentorship have been an integral part in my growth as a photographer. I hope to one day help other aspiring photographers.

Dallas, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Dallas Denoo and I am the owner and photographer of Dallas Renee Photography in Appleton, WI. I have loved photography since I was in middle school and received my first camera. I love that I have boxes and boxes of photographs from that time of my life and many from my childhood that my mom and grandma took. I knew that I wanted my son to have those memories to look back on of his childhood, so he was my subject for many years.

As he got older and less interested in being in front of the camera, like many of us deal with, I started to focus on nature and macro photography, but I always had that desire for portrait work hanging on. Through the years, I have had friends ask me to take prom pictures of their children and one year, two friends asked for family photos. This made me realize that I wanted to be my own boss and open up my photography business. That was in 2019 and, even though I still do family sessions, the majority of my work is high school seniors.

I think what keeps my clients coming back to me is my service. They know that when I am working with them that they have my complete attention. From helping them select locations, to styling their outfits, to making them feel comfortable in front of the camera and continuing that service after the session by helping them choose the best artwork for their homes. My clients mean everything to me, and I make sure they know that.

My client work has been printed in numerous magazines featuring high school seniors. My fine art work has been in Click magazine, Beautiful World magazine, This Detailed Life and others. I also have an image in the coffee table book titled, Chasing Magic: A Celebration of Women Nature Photographers.

I love all the friends I have made through my work and my ambassadorships. The support in these communities is incomparable. I am inspired everyday by both the other artists I have gotten to know and the families and young men and women that step in front of my camera.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I believe the biggest pivot I have had in the last few years was when my main model, my son, wanted to be in front of my camera less and less. I had spent so many years capturing his life from birth to middle school. Every activity, every event, every birthday and all the little times in between. He would also help me with personal photography projects I had in mind.

As with most teenagers, he no longer wanted to have his picture taken and I understood and respected that, but it also scared me a bit. What was I going to move onto in order to keep my creative mind active?

Luckily, I found macro photography and dove into that. Macro was a whole new world for me in terms of taking photos, so I started more classes to learn that art form. What I found most rewarding about macro photography was how it makes you slow down and take in all the little details of nature and everything else around us. It also lets you be creative and that creative spark had me excited about breaking some of the “rules” of photography.

I also took on street photography, but I am still working on learning more about that subject. There is something about capturing the everyday moments of a city.

This whole new world of photography led to me being accepted as a Click Pro Elite and a Lensbaby Ambassador.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of my work as a creative is how my work makes other people feel.

Whether it is a macro shot, a street scene or a landscape, if somebody looks at that photograph and smiles, that makes me smile. When somebody tells me that one of my images would be perfect for their home or office, it truly warms my heart that I made somebody happy with a simple photo I took.

The same goes for my client work. I never expected to get into portrait work, but I am so glad I did. My clients are mostly young men and women getting ready to graduate high school. It is such an exciting, yet nerve-wracking time for both them and their parents. My goal and what is most rewarding to me, is to make that day all about them. I want them to be completely comfortable with me and my camera, which can be so hard at that age. Once I can get them to do that, I can capture their true personality at this moment in their life. I want them to look back at these images for years and remember their senior year with a smile.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dallasreneephotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallasreneephotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DallasReneePhotography/
• Other: Client IG: https://www.instagram.com/dallas_renee_photography