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

Danielle , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Both my parents modeled for me a tremendous work ethic. My dad, a business owner himself, exemplified pride in his craft and quality of work, while my mom demonstrated unwavering dedication and rigor to her job – working night shift for many years. They both taught me independence, resilience, and the courage to take unconventional paths. They always encouraged my creativity and journey as an entrepreneur.

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?

I have worked in the creative industries for over nineteen years first as an architectural designer and for the last fifteen as a professional photographer and creative small business mentor. I am the grateful and proud owner of a thriving portrait studio in the beautiful gulf coast of Florida. My specialities include headshots & branding, family, maternity, high school seniors as well as food & product photography.

I offer a personalized, stress-free service that prioritizes my clients’ desires alongside exceptional quality, service, and expertise. From professional hair and makeup to wardrobe styling, I ensure each session is tailored to my clients’ unique vision.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a photographer, I always strive to help women feel empowered, confident and beautiful while in front of my camera. In a world where women are frequently made to feel inadequate and “less than”, bombarded by societal pressures, I’ve made it my mission to create a space for women to celebrate themselves as they are. I’m passionate about what I do and each day presents fresh challenges that push the boundaries of my creativity, making my work simultaneously challenging, fun, and rewarding.

On a more personal note, the flexibility that comes with being my own boss has been invaluable. I have the autonomy to create my own schedule, allowing me to prioritize both my work commitments and family time. Being present for my daughter is something I’m deeply grateful for, and having the freedom to adjust my workload accordingly ensures that I never miss out on her milestones. I believe that while it’s important to find passion and purpose in the work you do, it’s equally important to carve out time for LIVING and personal fulfillment.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Being “busy” rarely correlates with profitability and success, especially in my experience. Early on in my business, it was incredibly challenging not to say “yes” to every opportunity that came my way. The excitement of receiving paying work often led me to work with low-value clients, resulting in over-commitment, burnout, and ultimately affecting the quality of service I could provide. Learning to turn down work has been crucial for me to stay focused on my brand and goals, allowing me to work with my most ideal and profitable clients and the projects most deserving of my time and energy. Before taking on a new client, I always ask myself, “Does this client align with my core business values? Are we a good fit for one another?”

If I could give any new entrepreneur advice it would be to:
1) Learn who your ideal clients/projects are and only take on the work that aligns with your brand.
2) Figure out your cost of doing business so you can work towards charging a sustainable wage.
3) Network, network, network! Introduce yourself and what you do to everyone you meet.
4) Continue to improve your craft every single day. Never stop learning!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lefebvrephoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lefebvrephoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lefebvrephoto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/lefebvrephoto
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lefebvrephoto

Image Credits
Danielle Lefebvre Photography