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

Hi Daphne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful personal projects is a current work-in-progress Wizard of Oz-themed character shoot. It’s memorable and meaningful to me because I had been obsessed with The Wizard of Oz before I could remember. Finally, having the skills and knowledge to pull off a big photo shoot is a dream. This project let me dwell on happiness and a source of joy for me that made working on this project so exciting. I came up with this idea in class one day, and I instantly started sketching ideas and searching the web for clothes and items that would work for my idea. It was enjoyable and frustrating to dive deep into a passion project like this because the idea in your head is so specific that it can be annoying at times not to be able to find the things that you have in your head. However, after many hours of scrolling and searching the internet, I could see most of the items I needed for my more modernized take on The Wizard of Oz characters. Instead of choosing the primary characters, I dove into characters that meant a lot to me and weren’t generally seen outside the movie. I grew up with my favorite character being the Wicked Witch of the West. Something about her tenaciousness and passion for what she wanted to draw me to her. She knew what she wanted, and she knew how to get it. In a way, I almost wish I could embody more of her spirit and passion in my everyday life. For this project, I chose to emulate The Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda, a Winkie Guard, Winged Monkey, the Mayor Munchkin, Scarecrow, Lion, Tinman, and course, and I had to have Dorothy. After looking up to these characters for my entire life, it was a fun change to be able to embody these fantastic characters that had such an impact on my childhood and adult life. It has taken months to complete this passion project and will require a few more weeks due to shipping and complications, but I am genuinely proud of what I have achieved as a solo passion project. From planning to styling, execution, and editing, I have learned so much about myself and my skills that I wouldn’t take anything back if I could change it. Except maybe I wish it was a cheaper experience.

Daphne, 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?

For those who have not heard of me before, I am a freelance photographer based in Savannah, Georgia—starting around ten when I first picked up a camera and began to take pictures. Soon after, this moment was when I knew that I wanted to do this for a living. At first, it was just local nature images that I could find walking around my neighborhood. Then, it slowly evolved into travel as I had more access to different places, then finally to people and whatever my brain could come up with and complete with the means I had. I currently offer landscape, street, and portrait photography and am willing to branch out to other areas based on project requirements. I solve creative problems such as how to envision something and go off the brief to create a look and style that is perfect for what you need. I am versatile and adaptable to conform to your ideas and come together to create something that both client and photographer love. I am most proud of how far I have come since I started photography eleven years ago. I’ve broadened the scope of my work and forced myself out of my box to better myself and create better things for my clients. The main thing I want people to know is that I am willing to go the distance for you, and no idea is too crazy or out there for me to try and come up with a solution and produce an end product for you to love and enjoy. I’m very passionate about what I do, and I devote myself to my projects and field of work.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The goal that is driving my creative mission is my two ultimate dream goals. The first is to be published in a National Geographic magazine, and the second is to travel the world. Knowing I wanted to be able to travel was one of the things that pushed me to be a photographer as a professional, as well as a love for photography. Growing up, I had many ideas for what I wanted to be, but none of them stuck besides being a photographer. My passion for growth led me to go to school for education because it isn’t required in this field. However, I wanted a proper foundation under me and an understanding of past processes and photographers. While widening my options and opening my eyes to all possibilities and potential the world has

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being creative is the power to be the weird one. For many years I have always been perceived as the odd one out, but it isn’t til recently that I’ve seen the value in being different and unique. With the rise in social media and influencers and the ever-changing world of media, copycats and fakes are out there more than ever. Still, it takes a truly unique individual or thing to go that extra mile and make a difference. The power of knowing that you are the only one that could come up with that thing or idea is mighty and the thing that makes working in this field worth it even when stress levels are high.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.daphneratliffphotography.com/
• Instagram: @daphneratliff.photography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphne-ratliff-b0babb1bb/