Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Smith.
Hi Danielle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I quit my 9-5 desk job of over 10 years to live my dream as a photographer! I fully believe I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. I was dealing with some health issues (that I am now in remission from!) and during my healing, my doctor suggested for me to start doing something every day that I loved. Since I’ve always loved photography and capturing memories, my husband bought me a DSLR camera and encouraged me to get creative with it. While on that healing journey I had a blast with my camera and next thing I knew I was pursuing education to learn more in-depth! I started out photographing anything and everything that friends & family asked me to and then I started to learn that all photography niches weren’t the same. After a couple years of doing a mix of everything I realized I love capturing authentic photos full of love and warmth as well as traveling + adventure.
I have always had an inner photographer in me, but I just didn’t know it for a long time. I took film classes back in college and played in the dark room. I was always the friend and family member annoying everyone just taking photos of all of our ventures and then putting together scrapbooks from it. I love to capture moments through my own life for myself to look back on. Life can seem so long day by day but really these years are so fleeting. I am very passionate about pursuing joys in your life and making small, everyday things special in their own way. Whether it be starting the day making your favorite cup of coffee or champagne popping a personal goal- these small moments add up to a lifetime of memories. I not only capture these moments for other people but I continually do it in my own life as well and I love looking back on my days like a film reel through photographs.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the beginning, one of my struggles in this career was working solo. It felt like everyone was busy doing their own thing and that everyone was out for themselves. After a couple years of getting established in my craft and career I sought out photographer friends and it’s been so fulfilling. It’s important to me to have people around me that inspire me and encourage me. When you are building your own career there is a lot that you do alone and it can be hard. I’ve hosted retreats for fellow photographers where we all stay in the place and set up fun things to do for creative photoshoots together. Sometimes we will meet up for coffee and edit next to each other. We can call each other to bounce ideas off each other or ask for location suggestions. It’s just great being in a community of creatives, I really feel it makes us more effective in each of our niches. Engaging with fellow photographers allows me to know people I can recommend clients to if my schedule is booked or if they’re looking for something I don’t offer. I have met many creative folks and always have a recommendation for someone!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in couples from dating to proposals/engagements to elopements, small intimate backyard weddings to grand weddings. Love makes great photos and I’m always excited to celebrate love! I also love photographing families, baby announcements, personal branding, creative portraits, events, and more. I’ve been playing more in the studio with editorial portraits and having a blast doing those as a fun, creative outlet. There is no limit to the creativity of sessions that clients want to capture.
I specialize in evoking emotion through capturing images that are warm and full of life. I believe photos should give you a feeling like a good song. You’ll see the photo and you’re struck with the feeling of that moment in time. Our magical moments can be short, but when we look back on those times with fondness, we see how profound they were.
To capture those feelings, I provide a relaxed experience for our event or session. A big thing that holds people back from getting photos is being nervous on how to pose, how to act, what to wear. I simplify all of that from the beginning. I have a free wardrobe guide that I put together to help direct my clients on wardrobe choices for their family sessions. During our session, I will use music or prompts to guide you into movement so I can capture the essence of your love or your family.
Lake Michigan is certainly a favorite spot of mine for sessions. Natural Michigan beauty is one of our states features and I like to take full advantage of that. I also love in-home sessions. People are often surprised at how easy and meaningful having photos of living their lives can be. We pick a few things that you’d normally do and create a photo op out of it. Things like reading a bedtime story, or wrestling around in the living room makes people remember the special little things.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
A lot of people are surprised that I’m a destination photographer. This means while I’m from Lansing and know a lot of secret spots in the area, I actually travel all over our beautiful state of Michigan from the west coast to the east coast all the way up to northern Michigan. I have clients that move from mid-Michigan to Northern Michigan excited that I can still come up to their new area to capture their family every year. My travel isn’t exclusive to Michigan, I have been down to Florida for my beautiful clients as well as other states in our nation.
Another thing that surprises people is that I have my own imagery shop for prints and canvas wall art. There is never pressure or obligation to use it but when clients get their wedding photos or family session back, they would ask for recommendations on the best place to get prints. I spent a lot of time researching and trying out prints for places to recommend and was constantly met with disappointment in quality. That led me to launch my own print shop, not only to give recommendations but to also provide top-quality photos for those important memories.
Pricing:
- Contact us through our website or IG and mention “Voyage Michigan” for 25%off any session or $300 off wedding packages.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elleandcophotography.com
- Instagram: @elleandcophotography
