Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lydia Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Lydia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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?
Back when I was in high school, I was accepted into the Young Entrepreneur Academy. The program was very similar to Shark Tank. It helped me gain the knowledge and skills on how to run and operate a business. When I was 17, I started my photography business, Diaography. Coming up with the name took some time. I didn’t want to call my business Lydia Victoria Photography because that seemed so boring to me at the time.. and still to this day! My instagram name back in high-school was “Diator,” so I instantly starting using the last three letters of my name! One day I was sitting in class and it hit me! DIAOGRAPHY! Ly(Dia) Phot(ography). Ever since I was 17, that has been my business name.
Lydia, 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?
What truly sparked my interest in photography was learning how to be creative with myself by shooting self-portraits on a point and shoot camera as a teenager. With my siblings being much older than me, I felt like an only child. Being the youngest and only sibling left in my household pushed me to find a hobby that brought a lot of joy into my life. On my senior year of high school, I joined the yearbook staff and captured events and the daily high school lifestyle.
My passion began to grow so much that my classmates started booking me for their senior portraits. With me coming from a lower income area, I charged only $50 for senior portraits. Many of my peers couldn’t afford the photos that the school provided so I figured this was a way to help out by doing something that I love! This allowed me to build my portfolio. I later started capturing more than just senior portraits. I branched off to shooting babies, weddings, sports, and so much more.
By the age of 18, I became a licensed business. I, then, started capturing events and celebrities. After high-school, I attended Faulkner State Community College, which is now known as Coastal Alabama Community College. With my enhanced portfolio consisting of a wide-variety of subjects, I was immediately hired as the student photographer of the college. With my strong work ethic, I managed to be a resident assistant, photograph events for the college and run Diaography.
I graduated later that semester and transferred to Troy University. During my first week at Troy, I began handing out business cards to get my name out. I was noticed by several students and was asked to become a member of the university’s yearbook staff. Before recognition, I voluntarily captured as many events as possible to build up my portfolio for the campus. A student photographer position became available and I applied. With a little luck and a lot of grind, I was selected to be the student photographer of Troy University for my last two years of college. During my time there, I was also still running my business out of my dorm. I then decided to branch out to doing graphic design, videography and make-up.
During my time in college, I learned how disciplined and determined I was about my passion for photography. It also showed my the love I have for people. I am able to understand and adapt to anyone that I am around. Everyone I shoot is very comfortable and open with me and that makes the session go so smooth. I am also able to brighten up my clients mood and confidence by showing them how beautiful or handsome they truly are just by taking a still image on a camera. The reactions are so priceless and it uplifts my spirit. Clients tend to come to me often and say they don’t know how to pose, once they leave the shoot they are practically a model.
What sets me apart from others in my industry is my bubbly personality, ability to adapt to any situation and my need to understand my clients vision. I love doing make-up for my clients also. I shoot senior portraits, maternity sessions, branding sessions, weddings, events and so much more! I also travel a lot for photography.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I would’ve known about TikTok early on but it wasn’t called TikTok back then. The information that we have at our fingertips now are incredible. TikTok comes in handy with all the how-to videos that are shown in a minute or less. I am very thankful for this platform.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of getting new clients for me has always been word of mouth. I literally love the industry that I am in. It allows me to capture so many different milestones and to create heirlooms for people. Photographs are a very valuable thing to have. From me shooting senior portraits branches me out to doing their engagement photos. Many of my clients tend to make me their forever photographer even when I moved to a different state. The loyalty remains very solid. After I shoot their engagement photographs, I then do their wedding. Of course after the wedding comes the baby and the list keeps going.It brings so much happiness watching my clients grow in their many different stages of life. I feel so fulfilled after each and every session knowing I made a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.diaography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaography/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Diaography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/diaography-houston
- Other: Google : https://g.co/kgs/9LmZqu8 TikTok : @Diaography