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

Alright, Danielle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’ve always been a creative person. Anyone who knows me personally can attest to that. When I was younger I was always the kid in school who leaned toward all things art. I loved drawing and making things make sense. I loved when school projects meant we could get creative. Most kids my age would ask me to draw them a character or make them something fun. I was the one who picked all the art electives first, one being film photography. Which really set the foundation for how to use a camera. It’s a skill that sort of fell into my lap, and like all things art—I LOVED it.

I had huge dreams of going to art school in NYC or LA, but sometimes life happens. I deterred off that path for a while. In 2008 I enlisted in the military, and that became my life sort of speak for 10 years. Art became more of a hobby, but still a yearning or flame that kinda slowly burned inside of me. During this time I also pursued a medical degree and worked related jobs. However, It wasn’t until I met my husband, separated from the military, and had our son that I really looked at my options. At this time in my life, I didn’t have “structure”, we had moved to Europe and everything was foreign to me. I landed a job at a hospital in Europe for a while, but then we became parents. For me and for my husband, it made more sense that I’d be home with my son full-time and not miss out on those moments before we return back to the US. So I did just that. I dove right into full-time mom-ship,

When my husband and I first got married he bought me a camera because he knew it was something I enjoyed. It was an older Nikon DSLR and I used it A LOT, especially as we traveled on our downtime all over Europe. Plus, I became one of those moms who takes an array of photos of their child ahaha. (It may have been a little unhealthy LOL ) Then, we had gotten our first family photos done, and I spoke with the photographer at that time and was asking her how she started, and kind of picking her brain. She told me she had literally picked up a camera up for the first time, just at a year prior, and had already made this HUGE business out of it. I was intrigued. So, I thought to myself “I could do this too, and I am going to.” I sold that Nikon DSLR and invested in a newer one, and well the rest is history.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Well, I think I gave a big explanation of my backstory, story haha, but I am a wedding & lifestyle photographer based in Middle Georgia. I specialize in weddings, elopements, couples, and families—but I do dabble in maternity and other basic sessions. I also have a separate page for boudoir photography, as I work out of a studio and am opening my own home-studio this spring.

Photography definitely takes a lot of discipline and education because it’s NOT just pressing a button or the gear that does all the work, its you. The way you compose a photo, the surroundings, your overall knowledge of your camera, and your dedication and love of what you do is what matters. I am constantly learning and evolving. That’s the fun thing about art, it’s never the same.

I would like to consider myself a documentary style photographer. I focus on intimate connections and favor the unposed and authentic imagery. That’s not to say that “posing prompts” aren’t used to achieve that type of style, but I prefer them over the standard “no movement and direct posing.” I fell into the wedding industry in 2019/2020. I second shot my first wedding ever, and instantly fell in love. I romanticize almost everything so, weddings were like a dream. I can create fairytale images for each couple, and it although it was tiring, it was SO FUN. I enjoy couples sessions because there is a bit more creative freedom, since you’re not really on a timeline or schedule. Lastly, families. I adore those in-between moments. As a mama myself I know that realistically “posed & perfect” is a pipe dream, but being in your own element can allow you to truly enjoy the moment. Plus boogers, farts, are welcomed, I’ve seen it all.

For my gear I currently shoot with a Nikon Z5 Mirrorless body. Go-to lenses are 35mm, 28-75mm, 50mm, and 85mm.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist/creative is the genuine connections I make with my clients. I don’t want them to just think of me as “a vendor, or just the girl behind the camera” I want them to consider me a friend and someone they can trust with precious moments to be lived for lifetimes. Also, having returning clients or clients book you in all season of life, is something I’ll never take for granted. Its heartwarming.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my social media solely on just being myself—and I don’t have a HUGE following. To be honest. I think originality has a lot to do with it and not down-grading your business, pricing, or what you have to offer, just to receive clientele. All that will do is bring you an audience that doesn’t value your work ethic and creativity. Showing up, being yourself, sharing with your audience pieces of your life, and being human, is what I found to be most successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: Candidcoephotographyllc.com
• Instagram: @Candidcoephotography