Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle J.
Danielle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My name is Danielle J. I’ve been a photographer for seven years. I picked up my first camera in college, I currently was majoring in video production and I hated it, but for some odd reason, I always had a desire to behind a camera. So my junior year in college, I prayed and asked God what to do, and with my refund check, I brought a camera. It was the best investment I ever made. I started shooting. I loved it. It came so naturally to me. I really never had a name for my photography business so I just switched the an in my name to a v. Fast forward, I graduated from college, and of course, that came with a lot hardship. Everyone told me that photography wasn’t a good field to get into. Of course, in the black family, the only jobs they think are good is a doctor or lawyer lol. But my mother supported me. She told me if it’s God’s will he make away and he did. I grabbed my first photography job as a school portrait photographer and I hated it!
Fast forward to December 2016. My number supporter passed away, my mom. She was the number one fan and when she passed away, everything went left but somehow ended upright. After she died, I just could do the portrait photographer job anymore. My tolerance level was low. I applied to a real estate job and surprisingly got it. I absolutely loved it. Real estate photography is my 9-5 job, and I do my own creative work on the side. So that year, I loved a little too much, and I put my camera down outside of work. God told me to pick it back up. Every time I tried to quit photography and just earn a living, God would tell me to keep shooting and work on my craft. Now it’s 2020. At the beginning of this year, God told me to keep working on shooting, but… COVID happened. I was confused as to why God tells me to build my portfolio if he knew that would happen. Well, it didn’t, he told me to keep shooting, during COVID I’ve built my portfolio up, and I’m just started receiving recognition. I’ve been featured in a few magazines and a few to come. I’m just grateful I never gave up.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Its been challenging, It’s tempting to quit and just get a 9-5 job. Being an entrepreneur/creative is a long road. I tried and wanted to quit many times but when you’re called to something, it won’t let you. It was either choose stability or my purpose and I chose purpose.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I specialize in creative and artistic photography. I hate doing normal shoots. I love to create art emphasizing on God’s beautiful creations.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Patience, persistence and resilience are key characteristics to being successful. Resilience is important because even when you get “, no’s” you have to keep trying. Then patience and persistence are important because I can’t give up even if it’s taking longer than I think it should.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dvniellej.com
- Email: dvnielleJ@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dvniellej
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