We recently connected with Danielle Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Danielle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I have been able to fully transition to the title Full Time photographer. I made the jump late April when the amount of bookings I was having was exceeding my 8-5 work week. I started by investing in my equipment and skills and education over a period of 4 years or so. Day 1 of my full time did NOT feel like work. I love what I do and the saying is true if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life. Being consistent with marketing and advertising has been a curve ball as social media sometimes can be so exhausting but I am incredibly thankful for making the jump and my life has changed for the better.
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 name is Danielle and I currently am located in Canyon Lake Texas a place where the sunsets make you stop and marvel. I enjoy going on hikes, fossil hunting, and tending to my plants when I am not working. I offer a variety of packages for weddings and events including albums, customized engraved USBs for digital files, and complimentary engagement sessions with premium packages. My number 1 priority day of is making sure things on the photography side go as smooth as possible. I offer a Pre – consultation meeting to help make a day of itinerary so everything goes as easy as possible. Although I offer posed photos my favorites are candids. The photos that are in the moment and give you a feel of the love and care in the image. My favorite thing to do is to tell someone’s story through my lens. I am most proud of my ability to capture emotion and feelings in photographs.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
It did become my main source of income and full time career. It wasn’t easy by any means. I had to work full time 8-5 and save and invest. Photography equipment and education isn’t cheap by any means but it’s so incredibly worth it to save those memories. Before quitting I had to save up about 3 months of living expenses just to be sure I was making the right move. After I quit I realized I had almost doubled my monthly salary working physically half the time. A big milestone for me was launching my wedding services. I wholeheartedly enjoy telling someone’s story and capturing the love and endearment that people have for each other.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The biggest pivotal point for both of my businesses was elimination of self doubt and fear. You can think of a million things that could go wrong when starting your own business. Shifting that perspective to thinking of the million things that can go right is truly the greatest affirmation you can give to yourself and whatever it is you love. I started fiercely believing in myself and stopped comparing myself to other creatives. It has been me VS me the past 4 months and it created a huge ripple in every aspect of my life. Gratitude has been the biggest blessing. Waking everyday grateful and ready to take on whatever is next.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.canyonlakeweddingphotography.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/daniellewilliams.photography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniellefaye.photography.tx
Image Credits
Portrait of myself : Marina O’neil