Today we’d like to introduce you to Dionel Lake.
Hi Dionel , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started photography nearly 20 years ago, long before it was a business. At the time, it was simply a way for me to slow the world down and make sense of it. While I did take the time to pursue formal training and earn a college degree in photography, I was also doing that alongside raising a growing family. My path into this career wasn’t linear—it was built in real time, balancing motherhood, education, and the early stages of entrepreneurship all at once.
Early in my career, I worked in a food photography studio, which gave me a strong technical foundation in lighting and composition. But the heart of my work was shaped outside of that—through lived experience, relationships, and learning how to truly see people. That perspective naturally evolved into what is now The MittenTog, where I photograph everything from families to interiors to commercial work, always rooted in storytelling and connection.
Recently, after nearly two decades in this field, I was diagnosed with autism. That diagnosis didn’t change my work—it explained it. It gave language to the way I’ve always experienced the world: the depth I see in environments, the way I notice patterns, light, emotion, and detail, and the way I connect with people in an intentional, often deeply attuned way.
It’s reshaped how I run my business and how I see myself within it. I’m more aware now of my capacity, my energy, and the environments I work best in. I’ve become more intentional about the work I take on, the way I structure my schedule, and the experience I create for my clients. There’s a level of clarity and self-trust that I didn’t have before.
Today, my work feels more aligned than ever. It’s not just about capturing what something looks like—it’s about honoring how it feels to be in that moment or space. And now, I’m doing that with a deeper understanding of myself and the lens through which I see the world.
Alright, 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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—and I don’t think it was ever meant to be.
Building a business while raising a family, navigating personal challenges, and trying to understand myself along the way came with a lot of trial and error. There were seasons of burnout where I was taking on too much, saying yes to everything, and pushing past my limits because I thought that’s what it took to succeed.
Before my diagnosis, I didn’t always understand why certain things felt harder for me—why overstimulation, unpredictability, or constant social interaction could be so draining, even though I loved the work itself. I just thought I needed to push through it.
There were also the very real challenges of entrepreneurship—financial instability at times, building a client base from scratch, learning how to run a business without a blueprint, and carrying the weight of providing for my family.
But those struggles shaped everything. They forced me to refine not only my craft, but my boundaries, my systems, and my understanding of what sustainability actually looks like for me.
Now, I approach my work differently. I don’t measure success by how much I can take on—I measure it by how aligned it feels, how present I can be in my work, and how well I can support both my clients and myself in the process.
It hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been incredibly formative—and I wouldn’t trade that growth for anything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a lifestyle, interior, and commercial photographer based in Grand Rapids, and the thread that runs through all of my work is storytelling. Whether I’m photographing a family, a thoughtfully designed home, or a brand, I’m always focused on capturing what something feels like, not just what it looks like.
Over the years, I’ve become especially known for my ability to create images that feel natural, lived-in, and emotionally honest. I don’t approach sessions with a heavy hand or rigid structure. Instead, I create space for people to show up as they are, and I guide just enough to let connection and personality come through. The same goes for interiors and commercial work—I’m drawn to the details, the way light moves through a space, the intentional choices that tell a bigger story.
What I’m most proud of is the longevity and trust I’ve built with my clients. I’ve photographed hundreds of families over the years and many of them returning again and again as their lives grow and change. I’ve also built strong relationships with local designers, builders, and businesses who trust me to translate their work into something that lasts beyond the moment. That kind of trust isn’t something you can manufacture, it’s earned over time, and it means everything to me.
What sets me apart is how I see and process the world. Being autistic has given me a heightened awareness of detail, pattern, and environment, as well as a deep sensitivity to human interaction. I notice the small things—the shifts in energy, the quiet moments, the in-between spaces that often go unseen. And I bring that into my work in a way that feels intentional and grounded. It’s also how I can navigate pushing people to feel “seen” and comforted in having their photos taken. Holding space for people to simply exist as they are in a way that feels authentic. That feeling sticks with them past being in front of the camera, and makes the final images that much more heartfelt and meaningful.
I also run my business with a strong awareness of sustainability—not just in terms of growth, but in how I show up. I’m thoughtful about my capacity, my client experience, and the kind of work I take on. That allows me to be fully present in what I do, and I think that presence is something people feel when they work with me.
At the end of the day, I’m not just creating images, I’m creating something people can come back to. Something that holds meaning, memory, and a sense of truth over time.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
That’s a complicated question right now. We’re in a moment where technology (especially AI) is moving quickly, and it’s already changing how people think about imagery, creativity, and even what’s “real.”
I think there’s a valid concern there. The more content becomes generated or overly curated, the more it can start to feel performative or disconnected. Photography, at its core, has always been about something human—something imperfect, emotional, and real. And I think that’s the piece that can’t be replicated. You can generate an image, but you can’t fully recreate the experience of being seen, or the connection that happens in a real moment.
Because of that, I don’t necessarily believe AI will take away from photography, I think it will force it to become more intentional. The work that stands out will be the work that actually feels like something. The kind that reflects real life, real people, and real environments in a way that resonates on a deeper level.
That said, I do think it’s becoming harder to enter the industry. New photographers are navigating a much more saturated and fast-moving space, where it can be difficult to find your own voice and build a body of work that feels distinct. Developing that perspective (your way of seeing the world) takes time, and it’s not something that can be rushed or replicated.
At the same time, art has always evolved alongside technology. That’s not new. What isn’t going anywhere is the human need to connect—to see ourselves reflected back in something honest and tangible. If anything, as the world becomes more digitally constructed, I think people will crave that authenticity even more.
So I don’t know exactly what the next 5–10 years will look like, but I do believe there will always be a place for work that feels real. Trends come and go, but that human connection and that’s something people return to.
Pricing:
- Family Sessions: $300-750
- Interior Sessions – $450-2200
- Branding Sessions – $300=1200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themittentog.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themittentog/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themittentog
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-mittentog/
