We recently connected with Heidi Dickerson and have shared our conversation below.

Heidi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

To be successful, one must set goals, discover the path to get there (even if it changes several times), have self-discipline, and hard work ethics. With being a photographer, my goal was, and still is, to tell stories effectively. I want to capture the personalities of people in their normal state so the truth is represented. Will I take the “mantle photos?” Yes, I will. My hearts beats a little faster though when I am able to get people to relax and see their true self come to life. When you look at photographs, the “posed”….”look at me and smile” photograph do not tell a story. I want to see and feel how much a groom loves his bride and how he will go to the end of the earth for her. I want to see the tired mama with her babies. Although she is tired, she is happy and is full of love and joy. For me, to be able to make people relax and just be them while taking photos is all about relationships and connections. I immediately find a connection to them and just be myself. I am a little quirky and quick-witted. I tend to say what I think…and I just want folks to feel comfortable around me. When they are, the best magic can happen with the camera. I work hard at learning new conversation starters or finding out about something going on in my client’s lives. This is where the process starts. At my church, we say “people matter.” I believe that and I want each client to feel they matter to me, because they do. I practice hard at actively listening. People want to be heard and want to feel they matter. You must also continue to grow and learn new things going on in your industry. Sticking to the basics is key, but growing and doing something different than what others are doing is exceptional.

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.

I am a 44 year old wife, mom of 2 boys, and a full time educator. My photography business is full time, most of the time. I am blessed. My grandparents, “grandma and grandaddy Aynor” introduced me to a camera. They always had one around and I always saw they felt photos were important to have. Growing up, I always wanted cameras and video camera for Christmas. I have been in love with documenting moments from a very young age, thanks to them. I spent all of my high school graduation money on my first real camera. My dad was so angry I did this. I always remind him how thankful I am now I did that…and he tells me he is proud of me. I guess growing up on a tobacco farm, he never spent a ton of money on a hobby. He couldn’t visualize my dream, but I could. From there is where this part time job became a thing. I started doing small jobs of taking photographs of family and close friends. I started wanting new lens, cameras, flashes, etc. and thought one day…why am I paying for these toys? I can do this for others and why not let them pay? After a couple years, I met my business partner Anne while taking a photography class at a local community college. We decided to move forth and start shooting weddings. We were busy and we both learned a great deal over the next 15 years. Anne started having grands and hated to slow down, but then I started shooting on my own, with the help of a few local photographers. While I missed Anne terribly, we still talked on the way to weddings and after and still bounced back ideas and experiences. Although I was scared of being on my own and missed her, I was forced to be me and find a new me. I had to take charge and was able to spread my wings. Fast foward….here I am years later. I still shoot weddings, seniors, children, families, etc. My favorite sessions are seniors and engagements. These sessions allow me to be more creative and move more freely. The clients are of age to behave and interact with me. They want to be there and we usually aren’t under the stress of a timeline. I don’t talk about this much with clients, but when I met my husband, he was bald from chemo. I fell in love immediately. It is very special to me to do for others. I have photographed several folks with their families who are newly diagnosed. These images are never really shared, but I know, they know, and God knows. I feel photographers are so big on “kissing and telling” and showcasing their work. I am too sometimes…I get it. Social media is a free marketing plan, however, things that happen in the dark that mean a lot to folks bring me so much more joy. Having a family contact me to capture photos before their loved one loses their hair and then me not accepting payment is so fulfilling. It’s a gift that I love to give. I want people to know me and hire me because they love my work, but I want them to recognize my personality and my big heart as well. Little things like that keep people coming back.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love when clients share photos on social media…not necessarily of my work, but just their daily life and I am able to see my photos in the background on their wall. This let’s me know they were happy with them. Oftentimes, clients may say they love the images and will rave about them, but a lot of the time, it’s crickets……Photographers always stress about this. They want to know their client is happy. When they share them and make the images their profile pic or cover photo, it’s a point. When you see photos in their. house and the walls are covered with the prints, it’s a slam dunk! Sometimes, the best things are left unsaid, and they keep coming back for more. Photos last forever. I love that I am able to provide that “forever” to many people. I get to tell the story of some of the most special moments in people’s lives.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I am striving to outdo myself. It’s easy to get caught up in what photographers in the area are doing and trying to be better, do more. When I really started focusing on me and doing better than my last time, I became happier with myself and my work. Every session is different. Every story is different. To capture each one and the uniqueness of each tale is what my mission is each time. I choose quality over quantity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imagesbyheidiandanne.com
• Instagram: @imagesbyheidi_
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/imagesbyheidi

Image Credits

These are all images I have taken recently….wedding, seniors