Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Dunn.
Hi Patrick, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up, one of my most vivid memories of my mother is of her with her camera hanging around her neck. It was a hobby for her, but like any of her hobbies, she dove in full force. As a kid, I remember pieces of furniture peppered around the house with drawers crammed full of photos of our family. We were a well-documented group. But when it came to special events or benchmark times, she became particularly meticulous about getting us all together to mark the occasion. And those images were the ones that ended up on the wall and in the picture frames in our house. The ones that traced the story of our family. Who we were as a group and as individuals. Our mythology. I can still remember where each one of those pictures was placed in the house and how each one catalogued a different step on our journey.
Fast forward to about 10 years ago and my personal journey was completely changing direction. I was adjusting and re-thinking so many parts of my life. And in the middle of all of that, my mom gave me her camera because she was looking to get a new one. I had not had a camera before so it became one of the many new things in my life. And as I was slowing down and considering different directions, I began looking at life differently through the lens of the camera. It became an extension of my new journey. I began connecting with things and people in ways I hadn’t before.
One of the places I retreated to during this time was our family’s ranch in the Hill Country. Where I slowed down and the investigation into myself grew into an investigation of things around me through the lens of this new camera. I started by shooting wildflowers and nature.
Photographing things I found interesting around the small town. And it eventually grew to me photographing my twin daughters. Which, through social media, people began to see. And as I posted images, I started to get requests from friends and family to capture parts of their lives. Then that grew by word-of-mouth and connections to strangers and new and different opportunities. Which I loved. Every interaction felt like me reconnecting with my mom. Before long I started thinking that I might even have the good fortune to turn this passion into a business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, the journey with photography has been a smooth one. My perception is that creative people can be the most critical observers of their own work. And because of that, most of my struggles have been internal and self-made. Comparing myself to other photographers. Or picking apart things I was creating. Part of success, for me, is my choice to accept the inconsistencies and flaws of life. That, and finding clients who value what it is that I am passionate about.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
One of the subjects that we pursue and specialize in is Dance Portraiture. It is something that we are becoming more and more known for. And when I say we, I mean my wife Traci and myself. Traci has an extensive background in dance and movement. So she brings an eye and attention to detail during our dance sessions that I may overlook when my attention is on things like overall composition. She also pushes me at times to look at things slightly differently. Traci is a huge reason we have experienced the success with Dance Portrait that we have.
And I think one of the reasons we love working with dancers is they are as passionate about pouring themselves into their craft as we are. For many of our dancers, this is their life right now. Their journey. Such a focus of their time and energies. And to be able to capture that in meaningful ways to me is amazing. And to be able to do it over a span of several years is even more incredible. Some of our Studio Dance Representatives we have an opportunity to work with for 4 or 5 years. And over that time, we get to really know them and have a front row seat to watch their growth and development.
Any big plans?
For the future, we are hoping to expand our exposure so that we can continue to connect with those clients that value what it is that we do and the passion that drives us.
Contact Info:
- Email: patrick@patrickdunnphoto.com
- Website: www.patrickdunnphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrick_dunn_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrickdunn.photography/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Image Credits
Patrick Dunn
