We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danielle Stephenson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danielle below.

Danielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

When started in photography, I went in with a mindset to learn how to take the best images possible. I dug deep into that and researched the best practices and the best equipment. Then I spent money on what I thought was the best equipment and rushed into investing into things that may help me take better photos, but that was the worst way to invest in making me a better photographer and business owner.

The best investment I finally realized was when I invested in a mentor and business coach. When I invested time to master my craft with the tools I already had, not the tools I thought I needed because other successful photographers already had them. Once I started investing in myself and my specific craft and the business I wanted to build, I felt confident in where I my business was going and the photographer I was becoming.

Long story short, slow down and stop buying gear!

Danielle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I love to take beautiful, true-to-life pictures! My company motto is: “Capturing the moments you’ll want to keep forever.” The name Kindred Hues conveys what I’m striving for by having a kindred spirit with my clients and collaborators in creating memories and art. As a person of color, I believe in celebrating diversity, and I try to highlight that in my style by having the colors really pop and the soul of the subject shine through the lens.

Kindred Hues Photography is a Lifestyle and Branding Photography service, and I’d like to be known for offering great experiences for my clients and delivering strong, memorable products. I offer a variety of portrait session options as well as a small events option for micro weddings, parties, baby showers, and the like. I am based in the Treasure Coast but I work with clients up and down the Florida east coast, and I’m willing to travel as well.

My two main services are my Signature Portraits and Signature Branding Experiences. I work with individuals, families, couples, and maternity as well as entrepreneurs and businesses. My services range in price starting at $350 with the average client investing $1,200 for their signature looks. I love to work with all sorts of people and I enjoy working on projects that people are passionate about. My goal in photography is to engage with my clients so that they will truly enjoy the entire process and walk away with a positive experience.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn is that I don’t have to do what everyone else does. The backstory is that as a process person, I like best practices. There are many photographers that I admire and at first I thought I had to be just like them to gain real success as a business. Ultimately I learned that I have to build the life and the business that I want, and there are certain areas where best practices will come into play but I still need to stick by the principles that motivate me to continue and not copy what everyone else is doing.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It is rewarding when I challenge myself and surpass my goals. As a creative in business, it can be easy to get into ruts where its more difficult to express my true creativity or do what I really want to do at the cost of doing what makes the most sense business wise. Yet when I do take the opportunities to step out of my comfort zone to challenge myself creatively, it always is rewarding to see the end result and reflect on the process it took to get there.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kindredhues.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kindred_hues/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kindredhues
• Other: Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@kindredhues

Image Credits
Kindred Hues Photography