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

Dawn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

I am a very fortunate business owner. I have an undergraduate, graduate and art degree. After spending many dollars and years in academia, one thing is for sure-the educational system is wonderful in teaching students textbook figures and facts, but academia does not spend money or have resources to help students after school ends. After earning each of my degrees, I was completely on my own and honestly lost as to what my next job would be. After my undergraduate degree, I struggled to find a job that I actually liked doing. I thought that advertising would be a great fit, but there was no agency that wanted to hire someone without any ad agency experience. After moving to Chicago I had to work to pay the bills which led me to selling steel for 4 years, which was a miserable experience. Then, I embarked on an MBA so I could change course. I loved the academia life, but again after my degree, finding a job was difficult. I tried to intern with a few ad agencies and they had no idea what to do with an intern that had a graduate degree, so I was bored and unfulfilled. After looking for a good year, I finally found an advertising job and after 3 years, I was so burnt out and exhausted. And my dream of advertising laid in the dust. I wish both my business schools had mandatory classes on finding jobs which fit your desired lifestyle, education and long-term goals. And resources and counselors to help you along the way.

Dawn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I became a wedding photographer because I love telling stories, through my lens. After all my business experience, I was unfulfilled and exhausted from all the office politics and working at jobs that were not the right fit for me. I wanted to be outside, taking pictures and telling stories. So, I went to art school to earn an education to be a working photographer. Wedding photography came as a total surprise! I photographed a couple of weddings as a second shooter and fell in love with the storytelling aspect of a wedding day. My style is a combination of my art education and my love for photojournalism. Spontaneous, in-between, and authentic moments that happen during a wedding day. Then, photographing with natural and special lighting, or beautiful locations to add that artistic element in the mix. I am most proud of my longevity. I have been a photographer for over 20 years. I have shot almost 475 wedding and countless engagements, elopements and family sessions, and I keep on learning and growing every year.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Photographer friends are so important! I wish I networked more in my early photography career. Now, I network all the time but in the early days, I didn’t think friends in the industry were important. Friends in the business mean you have people in your corner to support your achievements, and help you in times of crisis. They are my go-to whenever I have an issue or problem because they are all in the industry and more than likely, have had the same issue. We also send each other work when one of us is busy, or unavailable. I can’t tell you how nice it is to have friends who you know create spectacular work and who are professionals.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most important aspects are being your own boss, making your own hours and being around clients who value your creativity and input.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dawnephoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnephoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawnephotofans/