Today we’d like to introduce you to Danni Small.
Danni, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always had an eye for photography, and enjoyed the art. My love for photography really started over 10 years ago in high school, where I took photography and photojournalism classes. Though my assignments in photojournalism, I met my late mentor, Jeff Billings while photographing a basketball game. At the time, Jeff ran a business, “KC Sports.net” where he and his team photographed high school sporting events to provide action shots for purchase across the KC Metro area.
As I was a cheerleader as well, I only got to photograph alongside Jeff during basketball season. He was the kind man with a camera at all sport functions, but it wasn’t until he saw me struggling with my school provided camera that we got to connect. I remember so well, he said “here let me help you” and handed me a camera lens worth more money then I could imagine at the time, and showed me the ropes. Through the coming years he became my mentor, and dear friend and I truly owe my photography skills to him.
After high school, I had discovered he frequently traveled out West, and worldwide, to capture incredible wildlife and landscape images. I invited myself along to a trip to Craig, Colorado to capture Wild Horses and the rest was history. Each year we planed a trip to capture wildlife and amazing views in places like Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Although wildlife is what I enjoy most, I finally decided to open Vintage Focus and capture portraits, weddings, events and more as a “side job”.
I’m so thankful for the years I spent learning with Jeff and hope to continue to capture moments in time for not only my clients, but for him.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any business is a smooth road. You fail, and try again. You learn just as much from failures as you do successes. I was extremely lucky to have a mentors assistance in building my business, but I continue to learn and grow on my own. Some of the biggest struggles I think photographers have is finding their own style, and what processes work well for them. I have been through countless contract revisions, processing software, website platforms, etc.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a photographer, the dabbles in a little bit of everything. I have captured everything from wildlife, senior portraits, family’s, newborn, births, events, weddings, you name it. I love my wildlife and landscape work that mainly include horses, bison, and mountains.
What sets me apart? I’m me. I connect with clients on a level that makes them feel comfortable, makes them laugh, and allows me to capture personality. I’m also so versatile, if you have a fun idea- let’s make it happen.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I don’t have a particular childhood memory, but I always remember big Sunday dinners at the farm with my family. Swimming, riding four wheelers, and exploring nature.
Pricing:
- $175 Mini sessions – up to 30 minutes with all edited images.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thevintagefocus.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevintagefocus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVintageFocus/
