Meet Dale Jones | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dale Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dale, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I grew up a dancer and singer and have always had a passion for creative pursuits but struggled to find an outlet for them when I started my full-time job. A friend of mine invited me to a photography class with Southeast Photo Adventures in 2014 and I fell in love. I started by focusing on landscapes and macro but once my daughter was born it became extremely clear my passion is for children and family photography. The pandemic has impacted us all differently but one blessing for me was that it gave me the time to focus on honing my skills, education/ mentorships, refining my editing style, and launching my business.

I have seen firsthand how quickly times passes when raising kids (the years do, not the days haha). So, I feel so honored when clients entrust me to capture treasured moments of their families. As a mom I know the stress of getting ready on photo day, but I work hard to make sure once you arrive it is fun and that you receive a gallery of images that you love!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Meraki is to do something with soul, creativity, love and to put something of yourself into your work. I started taking pictures as a fun hobby and it has developed into a passion and a true source of joy for me.

Family photos can be stressful for people so I strive to make it a fun and relaxed experience. I guide poses of course but my personal favorites are the genuine emotions in cuddle puddles, laughter, nose crinkles, and capturing that expression that is so specific to their age right now. In my sessions I will work to help you relax and feel comfortable and I will guide you when needed about posture, hand placement, fixing flyaway hairs, etc.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Some of my favorite special places to go for fancy dinner and drinks are Falling Rabbit in Duluth and the Garden Room in Atlanta. I love wandering around the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and then strolling around Piedmont Park. We used to live in Chamblee and I am a huge fan of Hopstix and then Contrast Brewery for a fun night!

A visit with friends is not complete without some brewery visits and really good coffee. We would have to make our way to Good Word in Duluth, Twains and the Brickstore in Decatur, and Indio Brewing in Sugar Hill. For coffee I love Tchin Tchin in Buford, Rushing Trading Company in Sugar Hill, and Dancing Goat.

I love seeing shows at the Fox in Midtown or catching concerts at Eddies Attic in Decatur.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been so inspired and well supported by some amazing local photographers. There are two in particular without their support and encouragement I would absolutely not be where I am today. One is Lauren Hatch from Lauren Rae Photography. She started as a friend in college, who later became our family photographer, and then I worked with her as a mentor as I prepared to launch my business. Her work is artful and beautiful and emotional. Her art inspires me, and she is so giving with advice and sharing her experience as someone with over 15 years’ experience in this industry. The other is my close friend Dawn Lynch from Heirloom Portraits by Dawnlight. She is someone who listens, gives great advice, is a wizard with photoshop, and has been such an amazing friend and advocate as I have navigated growing my photography business. We edit together and cheer each other on and I have learned so much from her about photography and running my own business.

Website: https://merakitreasuredmoments.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merakitreasuredmoments/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerakiTreasuredMoments

Image Credits
Model, Hair & Makeup by Beauty Struck for Water/Floral Image