Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Holman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Danielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Let’s dive deeper into the essence of what success truly means—shall we redefine it together? 🌟 In a world where success is often measured by titles, accolades, or the balance in our bank accounts, I find myself drawn to a different kind of metric—the kind that’s measured in laughter, love, and life’s simple pleasures. For me, it all begins with that perfect morning ritual: crafting a cup of coffee or matcha alongside my husband, feeling the warmth of the mug and the promise of a new day. It’s about cherishing those small, quiet moments that, in reality, are the big ones. ☕💕

Success is weaving the fabric of my days with threads of freedom and flexibility, allowing me to explore the world for weeks at a time, immersing myself in new cultures, and making unforgettable memories with my family and friends. It’s about embracing the beauty of nature, whether through a vigorous morning hike or a tranquil afternoon in the garden, always finding time to reconnect with myself and with the earth. 🌿✈️

At its core, success for me is about forging a career that doesn’t just pay the bills but fulfills my soul. It means attracting the perfect clients—those extraordinary people who not only align with my values but who also truly appreciate the distinctive style and passion I pour into my work. It’s about forming connections that transcend the typical client-service provider relationship, crafting stories together through the lens of my camera, and capturing moments that will be treasured for a lifetime. 📸💖

But more than anything, success is about the legacy I leave—creating a life so full of love and passion that it’s felt by everyone I touch. It’s about building a world where my family, friends, and clients don’t just see what I do, but who I am at my core. They don’t just see a photographer; they see a friend, a confidante, someone who truly cares.

So, let me ask you, what does success look like in your eyes? Have you found it in the grand achievements, or, like me, do you find it nestled in the everyday moments that make life brilliantly beautiful? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s start a conversation. 💬🌈

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.

📸✨ My love affair with photography started in the echoing silence of a high school dark room. The magic of film developing right before my eyes felt like uncovering hidden treasure, a sentiment my mom saw in me long before I did. It wasn’t just about capturing images; it was about freezing moments of joy, the vast embrace of a landscape, or the intricate dance of city lights. That’s when I knew – photography wasn’t just a path; it was my destiny. 🌟

Behind my camera, the world unfolds with clarity and vibrancy, revealing stories waiting to be told. Each click isn’t just a capture; it’s an exploration of feelings, personalities, and the unique dynamics that make us who we are. From the uncontrollable laughter of children to the serene wisdom in a family’s embrace, every shot aims to tell a story, your story, with all its shades and colors. 🎨💕

Embracing my passion was the first step to creating a life filled with gratitude, alignment with like-minded souls, and incessant growth. 🌱 Falling, failing, but always rising stronger taught me resilience and the beauty of relentless pursuit. 🚀⠀
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But what am I most proud of? It’s the freedom to weave my passion, career, and business into the fabric of my life, allowing cherished moments with family and friends, and soaking in the beauty of places I adore. 🌈⠀
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This journey isn’t just mine; it’s a shared story of perseverance, growth, and gratitude.

My journey from a curious teenager in a dark room to a photographer passionate about bringing your stories to life has been incredible. And guess what? The adventure doesn’t stop here. I want to create more magic together, one photo at a time.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Who knew a bring-your-own-instrument and make-your-own-pizza party in the heart of Tempe, Arizona, would mark the beginning of a journey filled with love, creativity, and entrepreneurship? 🍕💕 That night, amidst the melodies of an acoustic “Gangsta’s Paradise” and the rustic charm of homemade pizzas, I met Kaleo, decked in rock climbing gear, a vision of passion and adventure. It wasn’t just love at first sight but a profound connection that promised countless climbs, not just on the rocks, but in life and business. 🧗‍♂️💑

Our story isn’t just about the climbs we conquered together or the pizzas we shared; it’s about how those rock climbing outings subtly transformed into dates. It’s about the hours Kaleo spent by my side, supporting my art and photography dreams, lugging around a heavy view camera or bringing me sustenance as I tirelessly worked on assignments late into the night. His presence became my constant, even before I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in photography. 📸✨

When I took the leap to start Danielle Holman Photography, Kaleo was there, offering not just moral support but stepping in financially, gradually becoming an integral part of the business. His evolution from my rock climbing partner to indispensable second shooter for the larger weddings we covered is a testimony to our shared dedication and love for not just each other but the vision we were building. 🏞️💖

As the business flourished, so did our partnership, allowing Kaleo the flexibility to pursue his passion in real estate, all the while being incredible parents. Our unique blend of love, photography, and real estate is not just our livelihood but our life, a testament to the fact that when you mix love and passion, you create something truly magical. 🌈🏠

The journey from pizza parties and rock climbing to entrepreneurship and parenthood has been an unpredictable but rewarding climb. Our story is proof that love finds its way into all aspects of life, intertwining with our careers in the most unexpected ways. 🌟

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

“From lens to legacy 📸✨ – my journey wasn’t captured in auto mode. Picture this: a fresh-faced graduate from ASU, armed with a bachelor’s in fine arts and photography but saddled with the reality of an almost empty bank account. Dreams were high, but funds? Not so much. My path was paved with side hustles – from teaching Zumba to working as a trainer at the gym, all the while, sharing the world’s tiniest studio with my then-boyfriend, now husband, Kaleo. It was a life of simplicity, necessity, and relentless ambition.

Every snap of the shutter, every dollar saved, was a step closer to my dream: my very own professional Canon camera. Initially, my gear was modest, but my determination was anything but. I captured anything and everything I could, pouring every earned penny back into my growing passion. I juggled teaching yoga classes with editing photos late into the night, all the while studying online tutorials to master Lightroom and Photoshop.

Together, Kaleo and I navigated through the tight spaces of our little studio – a place where our dreams seemed bigger than our surroundings. Friends joked about our close quarters, but to us, it was our little corner of hope – a testament to our teamwork and shared dreams.

As years passed, my business began to bloom. What started with taking photos of anyone who would let me soon evolved into a sought-after service. I reinvested everything back into my business, gradually affording better lenses, more sophisticated flashes, and even hiring an accountant and associate photographers as the demand for my work grew.

Here we are, a decade later, and the journey from that first press of the shutter to running a thriving business is a narrative of resilience, love, and a sprinkle of creative madness. My tale is a testament to the truth that dreams do not require perfect conditions to flourish. They simply need unwavering dedication and a willingness to start with what you have, where you are.

So, to those of you out there harboring a dream, teetering on the edge of ‘what if’ – let me be the proof that it’s more than possible. Great achievements start with simple steps, and sometimes, a well-timed click is all it takes to set everything in motion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.danielleholmanwedding.com
• Instagram: @DanielleHolmanPhotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielleholmanphotography?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits

All wedding photos by Danielle Holma

Family photo of us with our son and dogs Gabby Wallace

Family photo of us with son Brielle Cavanaugh