We were lucky to catch up with Dani Weiss recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dani , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
I think like anything, being successful takes hard work and perseverance. Spending time promoting yourself at networking events, on social media and keeping in touch with your existing clients is key to staying in business. Some of the the most meaningful emails come from clients, sometimes years down the road, expressing their gratitude for their images, usually with the passing of a loved one. My clients cherish their images captured at an event or family portrait session.
Dani , 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?
After graduating from Fashion Institute of Technology with an Associates degree in Fashion and Commercial photography and a Bachelor’s degree from Empire State College, I began my career as a photojournalist in New York where I also spent my free time documenting the 1980s club and drag scene, building an archive of images that is now a valuable reflection of an important time in LGBTQIA cultural history. I then moved to Seattle where I continued my work as an award-winning photojournalist while also building a successful freelance business working for individual and corporate clients. After 30 years in Seattle, I moved to the Atlanta metro area in 2018 to continue my work and pursue new interests like jewelry making/silversmithing. Check out my Esty site: https://www.etsy.com/shop/dewjewelrydesign/?etsrc=sdt
I am most proud of the relationships I have built over the 34 years I have been in business. I work hard to keep my brand active on social media. I am always sharing new photo shoots with everyone.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Typically my best source of new clients is both through word of mouth as well as networking in my community.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think non-creatives don’t understand that running a creative business has expenses just like a regular business, sometimes even more. Purchasing very expensive equipment that needs constant maintenance, paying dues and memberships for professional subscriptions and organizations, insurances and overhead are often exactly the same. Unfortunately, hiring a creative sometimes fall to the last category of need, this makes us have to work harder for a lot less money. I strive to always deliver the best quality photography for my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://daniweissphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniweissphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniweissphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniweiss/
- Twitter: https://x.com/DaniWeissPhoto
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dani-weiss-photography-decatur
Image Credits
Portrait of Dani Weiss taken by Andrea de Anda Photography all other images are taken by Dani Weiss Photography