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

Dawn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

I have an incredibly narrow definition of what a hero is. So instead, I will talk about a couple of Colorado professional photographers and how they have influenced my journey as a professional photographer.

Several years ago, while scrolling through Facebook, I came across a beautiful photo by Jessica Vallia. It was of a young woman in a flowing dress. she was out on the prairie and the background was somewhat stormy. I love how it all came together and the sharpness of the subject combined with the bokeh background. It was all simply stunning to me. I began to follow her social media. Since that time, I have gotten to know her and attended workshops given by her. I have learned so much from her. She is definitely someone who has influenced me as a photographer.

Around the same time, a professional photographer moved to Colorado Springs from California. She introduced herself in various groups and pages that I followed and was a member of. As time went by, we also connected in person. That photographer is Shannon Squires! She is an award-winning photographer, who has the most awe-inspiring digital art skills I have ever seen. She also is another professional photographer whose workshops I have attended and learned so much from. She is always generous in answering my questions outside of those workshops when I have asked. She is the other photographer who has influenced me.

These two women have helped me raise photography to a higher level and, without them, their influence, and their friendship, I would not be where I am today!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been a professional photographer for the last 10 years. I have always had a love of taking photos. I worked for my high school yearbook in the late 80’s, back when we used film and it was black and white, so I had some experience in developing photos.

I picked up the camera again when my son was playing high school baseball. I wanted to have some photos of him playing high school sports, because it always seemed like, even though the played most games in other sports, that there were hardly any photographs of him (we live in a small town and sometimes the more well-known families’ kids get more “exposure”). I found a new love for life through photography as I was working the legal field at the time and was burned out and quite cynical about people.

After that, a friend of mine, who was the wife of the associate pastor of our church, had been offering family photo session for a fee. I signed my family up for it as we had not had a family photo in a few years. It was a great experience and it got me thinking that perhaps I also could do the same. She and I collaborated over the next couple of years as photographers until she moved to Canada. At that point, I had to make a decision to try to make a go of a professional photography service/business on my own.

Since that time, I have taken workshops to improve my photographic and editing skills and have become a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) through the Professional Photographers of America. This credential proves to my clients that I have the technical skills and ability to create quality portraiture for them. I have developed my own style and my clients choose me often because of it. This sets me apart from most of the other photographers in my area. In addition, I offer heirloom and museum quality products as well as professional prints. I sell wall art, museum quality canvas, heirloom albums and folio boxes that other local photographers do not offer.

In 2021, I employed the services of a local digital artist to design a unique logo for me; and she did not disappoint! the Dawn Lincoln Photography logo is registered and trademarked as my own. I want my work to recognizable and my simple logo helps communicate that.

during my sessions, I capture a mix of traditional posed portraits, but also give my clients prompts to interact with each other in order to capture genuine emotion. This mix of traditional and journalistic styles makes for a well rounded gallery for my clients. My slogan is real genuine moments. . . that’s Dawn Lincoln Photography.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I started my business with my own personal money. I have had several different model cameras over the year, but I am a Canon girl. I started with a Canon Powershot. It was not a professional level camera but it worked for me as I was learning. As I began to charge fees for my services, I upgraded to Canon T3, then a Canon 50d. I used the 50d for quite a few years, until I purchased my first professional level camera – a very used Canon 5dmii. I called that my “big girl camera.”

As I have earned income over the last several years, much of it has been reinvested back into my business. Both to upgrade equipment but also to go to workshops in order to learn as much as I could about photography. I am still not yet a full time photographer and it is not my only source of income. However, that is my ultimate goal and to also have a brick and mortar studio space in our town.

I also have been able to take advantage of 2 rounds of the Colorado GAP funding for covid relief; which has truly been a God send to me.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Before photography, I worked as a Paralegal in domestic relations and child welfare for many years. It is a very sad and stressful job – making your living off the misery of other people – but it provided for my family. When I picked up my camera again, I found joy in making beautiful images of happy families, children, high school seniors, and weddings! A pivot time came in late 2015, when I left the legal field for good. I have been happily working in a Chiropractic office for the last 6 years. It will be 7 years in October 2022. In the meantime, I have also had the pleasure of building my photography business slowly over time as I am not dependent upon the income I realize from it.

Contact Info:

• Website: dawnlincolnphotography.com
• Instagram: @dawnlincolnphotography
• Facebook: @dawnlincolnphotography

Image Credits
Dawn Lincoln