We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dominique Perry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dominique , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
I have loved photography since I was a child. My father often posed my siblings and I almost anywhere, whether it be outside of a restaurant, or at the bottom of our stairs in our home. Not to mention, my fathers passion as a drummer, and artist resonated deep within me. I’ve always felt connected to visual arts in some kind of way. In high school I took my first photography class and my mom bought me my first camera. I had an opportunity to develop film in black and white and capture what I wanted freely. Once I got to college I had no clue what I was going to school for. I knew I loved photography but was not confident that I could have a business and make money from it. I watched my father have a 9-5 and work his passions so I thought that was the way to go. West Chester did not offer a photography major or minor. So I took what they offered and that was a minor in studio art where I took many art courses and photography courses in order to fulfill my niche. I was in heaven, again developing black and white prints but this time inspiring assignments motivated and broadened my eye and craft. College life was fun when I went to the city and hung out in the evenings. But it was a close friend of the family that asked me to use my camera to make money for the first time. I started photographing at Philadelphia nightclubs at the age of 19. As visual artist, the nightclub scene rarely fulfilled my love for the art in photography. However being in the city and around people so often I began reaping the benefits of networking and creating new opportunities. In 2008 I found out my frequent trips to Philly resulted in a pregnancy with my high school love. Going into my junior year of college and just beginning to find my way as a photographer getting pregnant threw whirlwind of life changes my way. Nope I did not drop out or stop photographing. It was my daughters arrival into the world that made me realize how much her life was the beginning of another baby, my business with Leenicolephotography. I knew I loved portraits, weddings and children photography. I wanted to be apart of the lives of my clients through capturing their most precious moments in their lives like myself having my daughter. I named my daughter Dylan Lee Nicole. The birth of my business in photography derived from the life of my daughter.
Dominique , 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 got into photography through my father. He annoyed me constantly taking photos of me but I grew to love it. I enjoy capturing people in all of their emotions and moments in life. I help clients feel confident and comfortable with being on the other side of my lens. With children my patience and energy always impresses clients as my background working in a daycare provided that experience. Some photographer RUN from the idea of capturing young children but it is in fact and exciting fun task for me. My photography is built off of passion and not just trying to get a check. The basis of my business began out of passion and eagerness to help people see realities of life. Many people have a team or much expensive equipment. But much of my career as a photographer I was trying to be a great mom and live!! Balancing a business and being a single mom has not been the easiest and only dream of upgrades and a full time photography business. But through the dedication of my old and new clients and also my persistence this dream can come true.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
It doesnt feel like work!!! Yes at the end of it you may be a little exhausted but the thrill of creating and the process is like cooking and then eating the delicious meal!! Sharing your creativity with other people feels like God sent me to those people because your creative visions are pointless if they are not being shared. Therefore being a creative is a blessing not only to myself but to others.!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was not being able to be lucrative as a photographer. I was under the impression that I would not be a successful photographer. That wasnt even anything I could fathom. That is mainly because I grew up with parents that both had 9-5’s and were doing ok for themselves. I didnt have very many business owners in my life if any. My brother has always been an entrepreneur. He helped me to see another way even while I was in college. He went on to have a lucrative meal prep business as well. I began meeting more and more people with their own successful business so I had the opportunity to see what is possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leenicolephotography.com
- Instagram: @leenicolephotography
Image Credits
My daughter took this photo!