Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dakota Moore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dakota, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from 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.
I became a photographer shortly after I became a mother. My Love for capturing all the expressions my new baby girl had help me find a passion for photography. I had been given a used Canon Rebel T1i which was considered a decent camera at the time so I learned how to use it and after nine months I decided to upgrade. It was pretty apparent I was going to work with babies and thats where my heart guided me. After a year of photoshoots of my daughter I created a business name stated buying lighting, props ext. and photographing friends babies. I was spending all my evenings on youtube and researching blogs on photography. I joined a facebook group where i’d meet my best friend (even still after 7 years) who would be my hands on guide to learning the trade. I’m so grateful for the resources I found and though it was a slow, very hard start into a career I am happy I stuck with it full time!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
A military brat who was born but not raised in Illinois. I moved every two-three years of my life starting in New Mexico, Germany, South Carolina, Panama Canal, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, Mississippi, Colorado and now back to Florida. I truly felt when living in Tampa as teen this would be a place I could call home and after leaving and trying new places out deep down all I knew this is where my heart was. Living in Colorado for three years deciding to come back to Tampa was so easy. Coming back with my two beautiful children Bentley & Zephyr was the best decision I’ve ever made.
My passion for photography came after my love for Cosmetology, I went to a wonderful academy where I learned professionalism, attention to detail and how to use my love for playing real life barbie a skill set.
I also got my associates degree from Saint Leo University. After a somewhat traumatic planned home birth of our first born my passion for photography started. Seriously my days where spent creating photography sets for my daughter.
I had a decent Canon Rebel T1i camera and started to self teach myself how to use it. Intimidated at first I quickly knew the direction of which I wanted to go and that was to capture newborns and families.
I’m now 7 years into my career as a photographer and it’s been the most rewarding “job” I’ve ever had. I never dread a day in the office and any time a get an inquire I squeal in excitement that people are considering me to document this most precious time in their lives.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
After creating my business for 3 years in Colorado and deciding to move to Florida I knew it would come some challenges! I mean I had to basically start all over!! At least this time I had a well established portfolio that would help me gain some traction. It took about a year of marketing to get a full book again. Which for me meant at least 6 clients a week.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I remember going into debt to really get my business going, I charged a new camera, lenses, apple labtop at Best Buy. I had to a ton of subscriptions for learning the trade, I was buying a on of props for newborns. In all honesty i’m still spending a ton on props and business expenses but that’s just the way it is in this field. You see something you like and you think to yourself omgeee I can put a baby in that and it would be so cute!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://modernnewbornphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernnewbornphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernNewbornPhotography/
- Other: Pintrest https://www.pinterest.com/Modern_Newborn/