We recently connected with Domeanic Carter-Banks and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Domeanic thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

What I think it takes for a person to be successful is the willingness to push through any obstacle or circumstance. That includes failure. All too often we confuse success with perfection, which to me is humanely unattainable. Failure teaches us lessons, it’s not always bad. Success takes excellence which includes someone falling and getting back up again to keep striving for the finish line. Not only do they have the bruises and scars to show, but they can help others learn from their journey as well.

Domeanic, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m blessed that photography literally fell into my lap. It was at a time when I didn’t have pictures of my little ones for Christmas. The next thing I knew a friend of the family asked could I do her maternity portraits, and from their everything else fell into place. I was still considered self-taught, but It was a pretty easy to incorporate my skills from my day job as a Graphic Designer. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I became more serious about my craft, and started to invest more in myself in things like Studio photography. I even started to learning more about my lens through volunteering at my church, Liberate Church Dallas, every Sunday. It’s there that I learned more creative angels and how to capture emotion.

My biggest clients are women in every facet of their lives. I currently offer celebration portraiture, senior portraiture, graduate portraiture, maternity portraiture, birth photography, branding, and beauty. During various times of the year I offer family portraits.

One of the biggest problems I solve as a Photographer is creatively taking my clients ideas and desires and figuring out how to translate them into something beautiful. I encourage my clients to share with me what inspires them and what makes their style unique. Another is building their confidence to execute it. Many of my clients are shy and this is something out of the norm for them. Almost like a fish out of water experience. I want them to know their investment is in good hands, but they also have to let go and enjoy the experience. That’s where the beauty of it all is captured.

I am most proud of winning a 2022 Bronze Medal from the Portrait Masters photography competition last year for one of my creative images. I honestly wasn’t sure about submitting anything, but so glad I did. I’m also proud of my resilience and my continuing to push myself even when adversity knocks at my door. This has been thru my on going healing and self-discovery over these past few months.

From all of this being said, I want others to know that D. Meshell Photography is a black women-owned photography business who desires to service her clients needs in a fresh and creative way. Growing, learning, and evolving is what I’m committed to do in order to push this gift God has given me to it’s fullest potential. It’s our ultimate goal to capture your beauty in the raw!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The mission behind my creative journey is to empower women to show up for themselves no matter where they are in life. Life hits hard. As a Mom of 5 ranging from 1 to 15, and one being Autistic, I get it and I understand. Yet and still, we still have to show up for our dreams, show up to love on and celebrate ourselves and accomplishments. I have an overall concept that I want to come to fruition that not only houses creativity, but also helps my fellow sisters in the community. Something that keep me anchored in this journey is Ecclesiastes 3:1a, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time…” .This is a pivotal time in my life and many others lives. My mission is to expose the beauty of it all.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This may sound crazy, but I had to unlearn the idea that I was incapable of success. I’ve faced trauma in my life that caused me to associate that although I had innovative creative ideas, they would come to nothing. The un-addressed trauma showed up in my business and caused me to set myself up for failure. When opposition reared it’s ugly head, I went hiding and my idea of being successful went with it. This started out from childhood. Up until last year, through therapy and also alone time with God I’m learning and taking the necessary steps re-learn what success is, Something important I’ve learned is failure is a breeding ground for success. You learn so much and are able to pivot from it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dmeshellphoto.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/dmeshellphoto
• Facebook: facebook.com/dmeshellphotography

Image Credits
Photographer/Editor: D. Meshell Photography