We’re looking forward to introducing you to Anna Dolmany. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Anna, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My mornings are a well-balanced combo of caffeine and dog negotiations. I wake up at 6:30…okay fine, 6:45 if I hit my snooze a few too many times, grab my coffee, and head out on a 2.2-mile walk with my dogs—who either power walk like Olympians or stop every two feet to sniff a leaf. Once we’re back, we all eat breakfast, and then I head to the gym or start editing, depending on the day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello Readers!
My name is Anna Dolmany, and I’m a freelance sports—and now concert—photographer based in the DFW area. I’m thrilled to be here and to share a little bit of my story with you.
I’m 30 years old, born in Hungary, and moved to the U.S. when I was 10. I grew up in Florida, joined the Marine Corps right after high school, and proudly served five incredible years in North Carolina before eventually making my way to Texas. There, I earned my Associate’s degree from Weatherford College and my Bachelor’s from Texas Christian University (go Frogs!).
Photography is my passion, and I strive to capture not just the big plays and highlight moments, but also the smaller, quieter details—the ones that give those big moments meaning. Whether it’s the calm of an empty stadium before the roar of the crowd, a player lacing up, a musician lost in thought backstage, I believe those little in-between moments help tell the full story. My hope is that when people look at my photos, they can feel the beauty and emotion in both the celebrated and the often-overlooked moments.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The person who saw me clearly before I could see myself is my mom. She has been my rock through every chapter of my life. No matter what struggles we faced, and there were many, she always had this unshakable belief in who I could become. Even in the moments where I doubted myself, or when life felt heavier than I could carry, she would remind me of my strength and the potential she saw in me long before I ever recognized it in myself.
My mom has a way of seeing past the mistakes and the messy phases of life to the person she knows you are at your core. Whenever I made choices that weren’t the best for me, she didn’t just tell me I was wrong, she asked me why. She wanted me to think, to reflect, and to grow. Looking back, those conversations, even the hard ones, were her way of guiding me toward the version of myself she already believed in.
Everything I’ve accomplished and everything I’m working toward today is built on the foundation of her love, her support, and her unshakable belief in me. She saw me long before I ever truly saw myself, and that is a gift I will carry for the rest of my life.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Dear younger self,
Go for it. No, really—GO FOR IT. If you want to dance with strangers in the middle of the street, do it. If you want to try something new, even if people might laugh, do it anyway. Joy doesn’t need permission.
Here’s the truth: the opinions of others will always be there, but they don’t define you. Every time you hold yourself back because you’re worried about what someone else might think, you give away a little piece of your happiness to someone whose opinion doesn’t even matter. Life is far too short to waste a single second on that.
Ask yourself this—are you living your life for yourself, or for everyone watching? Does this moment belong to their comfort, or your joy?
Be fearless in your happiness. Try new things. Be bold. Laugh loudly. Fall in love with life even when no one else understands it. One day you’ll realize that the most powerful thing you can do is live unapologetically for you.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One foundational truth I live by is that learning never ends. No matter how much experience you gain or how confident you feel, there’s always something new to discover. The moment you think you have it all figured out is the moment you stop growing.
I’ve been doing photography for three years now, and while I’ve had the privilege of shooting a wide range of sports and events, I still consider myself a student of the craft. At every game or concert, I make it a point to ask at least one question to someone more experienced than me—whether it’s about photography techniques, gear, or even event logistics. Those conversations not only teach me something I didn’t know and push me to look at my work differently but also help create relationships with those people as well.
This truth extends beyond photography. Life has a way of humbling you with lessons when you least expect it, and I try to approach each moment with curiosity and openness. That mindset not only makes me a better photographer, but a better person. There’s always something new to learn, and that’s what keeps it exciting.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
Peace, for me, lives in the quiet details. When I’m at an event, I try to take a second to lower my camera and simply watch. I watch athletes living the dreams they once had as kids fueled with passion and ready to give it their all, I watch fans create core memories with their families and friends, and the raw emotions that connect everyone in the room that goes with cheering for your team. At concerts it’s very similar, I see people close their eyes and dance like nobody’s watching letting the music wash their worries away, I see couples wrapped up in their own world, and entire crowds singing every lyric as if it’s their anthem. Those little moments of connection, joy, and presence—that’s where I find peace. Outside of photography, peace comes from the same place: just being still. It’s noticing the way the sun hits the trees on my morning walks, the way my dogs wiggle their way onto my lap even when there’s zero space, and the small acts of kindness you see in passing between strangers. I’d encourage everyone reading this to pause, even just for a moment, and really look at the world around you. When was the last time you just… stopped? Try it. You might be surprised at what you notice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.annadphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adw_photography_?igsh=cGsyeDUwY24zbmQ1&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-dolmany-863152154
- Twitter: https://x.com/adwphoto94?s=21
- Facebook: adw photography
- Other: Gondola: @annadolmanyphotography
