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

Hi Danielle, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success would be the genuine relationships I have made with people on the course of my journey in life. Also I have to say is God is directing my steps to be able to continue to know when it’s time to be complete with that particular season of my career and elevate to the next level. The most important factor behind the success of my brand would be me loving what I do and it not being just a job or having to do something just because of bills, etc. I also have a strong support system and people in my life that want to see me be successful and get to and stay at the peak of my career. Anytime I’m away from my camera too long (a day) I have withdrawals of wanting to shoot and expand and advance on my creative aspect of what my eyes through my lens is capturing. I love to tell stories through my lens, every story is different and unique.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When it comes to my photography I really take it seriously. It’s what I do full time and how I pay for my livelihood. What sets me apart from others would be the way I shoot, the clarity of my pictures, me being myself, the authenticity, passion, drive, dedication of not giving up and getting to the other side of greatness. What I am most excited about is the future of what’s to come. I’m most excited about what position me and my sister will be able to put my family in. I’m most proud of me continuing to keep pushing forward even when it got hard or it didn’t look like I could see the great things awaiting on the other side. I’m most proud of my drive and artwork! How I got to where I am professionally was me setting out a game plan that after I graduated that I was not going to do anymore pointless jobs that had nothing to do with Photography. So I put in a few job applications on job sites (LinkedIn, Zip Recruiter, etc.) each day and each job I applied to had to do with me and my camera. I feel like it was destined because I set out to only work jobs that was Photography jobs and literally that’s the only jobs I have had since I graduated. I’m not going to say it was easy because nothing in life worth having comes easy but I can say manifestation and hard work truly helped get to the goal. The lessons I have learned along the way would be having contracts in everything you do in business even with friends/family. Knowing that you the individual can not satisfy every customer (client) you come in passing with. Another lesson I learned is people feeling obligated to you and your work because they have known you for a while. That has nothing to do with business, and you should treat every person accordingly and no one get special incentives (discounted shoots). A lesson learned is not everyone wants to see you win and be careful who you let in your space. What I would like the world to know about me and my brand is that I don’t take this lightly. I have always set out to love what I do for a living and not be conditioned to think you have to work a job for your whole life but to provide a service that will always be needed and being a boss. I work hard for everything I have, I love to help and talk to other creatives about certain things I had to just learn from trial and error. Never feel like your to high in life or your career to not learn or be able to advance in something. I want the world to know that D.N.S.Photography is here to stay and I can’t wait for what’s to come and who will be with me throughout the journey!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Before my best friend comes into town. I would first see what exactly is happening that week in the city. Then I would start sending events or places that are options for us to do to my best friend to look at what she would like to do. Next I would proceed to hit up all the places or events that we agreed on together and make sure we are squared away with the event. That means the night life is covered. I would take them to different eating spots that are banging and of course I can not think of them right now lol but it would have to be somewhere that it has some great wings, and seafood. One place I would take them to eat would be Nick & Mike Bar & Grill. We would visit different art museums, take them to different bars, lounges, around the city.

What are some of the most fun things to check out is being backstage at a concert of one of your favorite artist and get to take pictures with them and just vibe it out. Going to the recording studio to be in the element of magic being created and capturing every second of it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout God for showing me what I will be doing in life, directing my steps, and giving me a clear perspective of everything I ask for him to give me direction on. I would like to shoutout my mother because no matter what direction I went with me being a creative she supported me and still continues to root me to the top! I would have to shoutout my sister because she is another person that always showed love and support with whatever I put my mind to. I would like to shoutout my family and friends (the ones that have been present and still are) that have been here from the beginning of my career and never said stop doing that or this but always got behind me and encouraged me to do it ! An anybody I accidently left out, Thank you all for the endless support and encouragement! Let’s keep prospering, elevating, being happy, and creating generational wealth and financial freedom!

Website: www.dreamnonstopphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d.n.s.photography/?hl=en

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