Daily Inspiration: Meet Amber Dawkins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Dawkins. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My photography journey actually started on the other side of the lens. I modeled a little in high school and college, and after one particular photoshoot, my mom and I were frustrated with the quality of my pictures. We thought we could do better ourselves, so my mom researched and bought a camera, and we learned by trial and error together. Our pictures were definitely better, but even more important than that: I realized through the process that I liked being on the other side of the camera much more. I quit modeling, and we officially became a mother-daughter photography duo and started taking pictures on the weekends. I became the lead photographer and my mom took on an assistant’s role. Our little side hobby grew by word of mouth, and we found ourselves adding more components as our clients asked for them: Did we have a website? Business cards? Portrait packages? Eventually, we realized this passion of ours had evolved into an actual business. I taught middle school during these years, but as our photography client base grew, I felt torn between worlds, and after 8 years of balancing them both, I resigned from the district to pursue photography full time. It was a move that my mom and I never imagined when we started this journey together 14 years ago, and I’m so thankful for her influence and support along the way. Dedicating full-time effort to photography led to explosive growth, and I expanded from portraits only to real estate photography, corporate headshots, and small business branding. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My photography business grew and evolved fairly steadily, and my struggles were mostly internal. I have high expectations for myself, and it was frustrating when I encountered a new situation that I wasn’t well versed in or didn’t feel prepared for. I was constantly researching, constantly learning. Constantly pushing to be better. I bought new equipment, I tried new techniques. I copied the best photographers I could find online, and I soaked in knowledge from veteran photography groups. At times, I doubted my skills. At times, I doubted my value. But I knew that I wanted this business to succeed, so I just kept taking steps forward. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The areas of photography I focus on most are real estate photography, small business branding, and portraits. I love telling stories through my photos and focusing on the details that bring those stories to life. Those details look different for each type of photography: It could be the gorgeous clawfoot tub in the master bathroom, the products staged in the background of a store owner’s headshot, or the way a high school senior leans forward a little when she laughs.
I think something that sets me apart in this industry is my background in teaching. I’ve got that classroom management personality, the Type A organizer who plans for every detail. It’s a good skill to have when planning a shoot and running a business. I also relate well to people, and that helps put them at ease in front of the camera, which makes the sessions fun and engaging.

One of the most exciting things for me as a photographer is seeing my work in large-scale print, like on billboards. Just last week, I was driving on I-70 and unexpectedly saw one of my images from a recent branding session on a billboard. I imagine it’s like a music artist hearing their song on the radio. It’s such an exciting feeling!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Following other photographers is the best form of education and inspiration in this industry. I’m constantly looking at other photographers’ work and learning from them. 

Pricing:

• Family and Senior Portraits start at $550
• Real Estate Sessions start at $130 and include same-day delivery
• Branding Sessions are priced a la carte, so you build your own package

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.amberdawkinsphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/amberdawkinsphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/amberdawkinsphotography

Image Credits
Lori Habiger
Amber Dawkins