We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cynthia Dawson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cynthia below.
Cynthia , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
I really love this question because it brings back so much emotion. It takes me all the way back to the very beginning of my journey when I was a hobbyist photographer. I was still shooting on my entry-level DSLR and the kit lens when my daughter was diagnosed with cancer. She was in the hospital and the doctors were trying to figure out a good treatment plan for her when a few of my close friends gifted me a 35 mm prime lens. That gift gave me so much hope and happiness at a time when I felt like the world was coming down around me. I don’t think that lens left my camera for months! I used it to document so many special moments with her during her last year of life with our family. It still means the world to me that others thought of me during that time and supported me in preserving her memory through my photographs.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
When Ava, my oldest child, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor at the tender age of four, our family faced numerous challenges. During Ava’s illness, my passion for photography blossomed. In her final year with us, we made it a priority to create lasting memories, and my camera became an extension of myself, capturing every precious moment we shared. Now that she’s gone, the photographs we have of her hold immeasurable significance. Losing her taught me the profound value of photography, a lesson that has shaped my life in countless ways. While I wish I could have learned it under different circumstances, I feel blessed to share my love for photography with others.
My personal loss has had a profound impact on how I engage with my clients. It has taught me the importance of being fully present during their sessions. Just as I poured my heart into capturing Ava’s essence, I approach every client session with the same level of passion. What drives me is documenting the raw emotion and authentic beauty that truly represents who they are and how they cherish their loved ones.
I firmly believe that the most powerful photographs emerge from genuine connections. By understanding what truly matters to my clients, I am able to encapsulate their love, joy, and the uniqueness of their family. It’s about capturing the laughter, the tenderness, and the pure magic that resides within them when they are together.
It is my hope that my clients will see their images and fall even more in love with their family.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My creative mission has always been focused on my family and serving as our personal documentarian, capturing our special moments. It is truly a blessing to extend this passion to other families, being able to document their unique and special moments as well.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Being an artist brings me immense fulfillment and joy. The excitement that rushes through me when I create something I truly love is indescribable. What makes it even more rewarding is knowing that my artistic endeavors can also contribute to supporting my family’s well-being. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cynthiadawson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthia_dawson_photography/
Image Credits
Cynthia Dawson Photography