Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Estes.
Hi Dana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
In high school, I was the photo editor of the yearbook and newspaper staff. Alongside my photojournalism work, I started photographing concerts for local hard rock/ heavy metal bands. After high school, I attended the University of North Texas and majored in Studio art with a concentration in photography. During this time, I worked with a variety of magazines such as Dallas regional chambers, NT Daily, and Fort Worth Weekly. I graduated in 2022 with my Bachelor’s degree and immediately started assisting local commercial photographers. In 2022, I attended a program called Photo_Assist which taught me all the ins and outs of being a photography assistant. Since then, I have continued assisting with a better knowledge of the commercial realm.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road I have chosen has definitely not been a smooth one for me. When I first started getting paid gigs as a concert photographer, I was doing it with my significant other at the time. The relationship was very unhealthy, and when it ended, it left me feeling extremely insecure about myself and the work I was creating at the time. This has had a long-lasting impression on me, unfortunately, and I believe this has been the root of most of my problems leading up to now. As time goes by, I am learning to respect myself and continue to do what I enjoy. I am now focusing on how I want to be represented as well as the others around me. I think the unhealthy work relationship showed me not only issues I had with my own work but with how men perceive women in general.
We’ve been impressed with Dana Estes Photography, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a commercial photographer specializing in fashion and product. I am very interested in the idea of the male gaze and how this has influenced women’s perception of beauty. When photographing models, I intentionally avoid the male gaze and aim to make my subjects feel beautiful for their personalities rather than being sexual objects. With increasing numbers of female photographers, it is more important than ever to remove the male gaze from perspective. I am thrilled to be a part of this movement.
Since joining the commercial realm, I have grown to notice that I do not feel comfortable with the ways in which models are being chosen for campaigns and larger shoots. There is a trend to still have the thin, white model as the main form of representation. This is very concerning to me, as I believe every person is beautiful and that having diversity is what makes us unique. When choosing models for a project, I want to include varying body types as well as ethnicities because everyone is different and comes from different backgrounds.
I am probably most known for my concert work with many hard rock/ heavy metal bands from the Dallas/ Fort Worth area. Because of this, I find myself photographing musicians frequently. If you’re ever looking for me, I’m usually the girl with the camera mixed in the mosh pit with my fisheye lens.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
In terms of photography, I am most interested in ensuring everyone around me feels as comfortable as they can. The commercial world is honestly a pretty tight-knit community, and I want it to feel that way. I’ve definitely been on shoots that weren’t very welcoming, and that’s never something I want to willingly be a part of. There is a bunch of shady business, especially in the early stages of being a female creative in DFW and I hate it with all of my being. I work constantly to make sure the people around me feel they can openly be the best versions of themselves.
For myself, my family comes first. I have a fairly small family, so we are always there for each other as much as we can. Whether it be watching my cousins while my nana goes to a doctor’s appointment or my sister watching my cats when I go out of town, I always have their back and know they have mine as well. When not working, I’m snuggled on the couch with my husband and our four little fur babies watching Boruto.
Pricing:
- Concert set coverage- start at $120
- Portraits- start at $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danaestes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danaestesphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danaestesphoto/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-estes-a5331521b/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/danaestesphoto/_created/
Image Credits
Dana Estes
