We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dana Bramlett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dana, thanks for joining us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know
I wish I could go back to the beginning and tell new photographer Dana, that you don’t have to be great at all aspects of photography. There is a style and photographer for everyone. Don’t try to be the most “trendy” because trends change and true style holds its own. Take the time to focus on what you love, perfect it, find the things that compliment your style and stick with it.

Dana, 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’m a Wife, Mother, daughter and friend.  My husband Chris and I have been married since 2001, we have three beautiful children together, and one beautiful daughter in law, which is why I started this journey. I love the flexibility of owning my own business, it’s like the BEST of both worlds.  I have THE BEST job in the world, because I capture your families memories that happen so quickly because life is fast, and I’m allowed the freedom of being involved in my children’s lives and enjoying the short amount of time that they are little.
I am a Mexican food junkie, and believe that peanut butter, chocolate, and coffee are major food groups.  You know meat, cheese, vegetables, peanut butter, coffee. and chocolate. I’m a self proclaimed gym rat, and an be found there or at the studio.

I became a photographer as a hobby at first. It was an outlet that allowed me to learn something new and to be able to capture the little things about my children that I didn’t want to ever forget. I dabbled in everything from portraits, weddings, schools, families and children. My love quickly became newborns. Everything about that new little miracle. From maternity, to birth to the first moments.

In the beginning I just wanted to be the one to capture it all. Wanted to have the session and deliver digital images that could be shared with family and friends. It wasn’t until I made myself sit and actually print out some of my favorite images of my family that I began to sew the value in the printed art work. The printed product became a love like no other. I was introduced to a company called The Original Photoblocks from the Netherlands. I ordered a studio sample and fell in love with their product. I changed my business model from then out to include their product along with wall art and albums. Printing your memories is something that will never go out of style. It is something tangible for you and your family to hold onto for a lifetime.

My hope and prayer is that when you have a session with me, it’s easy, comfortable and fun.  My goal is to make the person that dreads pictures love me and the one that loves pictures to want to tell everyone they know about your experience. I tell my clients they are my walking billboards.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Photography is a hard business at times. New competition and new trends appear each day. There’s beauty and comfort in knowing that there is a style and photographer for everyone. There’s growth in knowing the value of what you offer and the service you provide to others.

I have worked this business for over 10 years. I’ve wanted to give up a million plus times, but in those moments I’m reminded of all the clients that have been with me through the growing and learning who I wanted to be as a photographer and a business woman.

I just currently moved to my third studio location. Each time being a different learning curve, a scary move, but necessary for growth. Even in the midst of a pandemic.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Word of mouth has been my greatest tool. It’s the little things that I offer during sessions that aren’t advertised or given on the website that makes their whole session an experience they want to tell their friends about. My goal is for them to be relaxed, enjoy their time, and to have an experience from start to end that they want to tell everyone about. I’ve had so many clients tell me, “Girl, you think of everything. You do everything and I don’t have to worry”

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.photosbydlb.com
• Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/dlbphotography
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/d.l.b.photography1/

Image Credits
Professional headshot images by Melissa Giles Photography