SJ: What are three of the most important tips you could give any student wishing to pursue this career?

Dana: “1. Know your camera well. If you’re still shooting on auto-mode, I would highly recommend taking a course on manual photography. 2. Practice makes perfect. You can understand how a camera operates, but you need to learn how to quickly make changes in different lighting scenarios. It takes lots of practice to get your style right! 3. It’s important to constantly build a portfolio as photo trends change and you grow. Never stop challenging yourself and a portfolio helps others understand what you are capable of behind the camera!”

 SJ: What role does social media play in your business?  

Dana: “Social media is such a visual marketing place for photographers. I try to post a couple times each day, since it really acts as another online portfolio these days!”

SJ: What type of cameras do you use? And what other gear do you enjoy?

Dana: “I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark IV. This is a full-frame camera, making it better in low-light situations, like dark churches. I also love my 85mm, 1.2 lens for a blurry background and sharp focusing. For in-studio portraits, I use my 35mm, 1.4. It allows me to get close to my subjects (especially necessary when working with kids!) and work in a small area.”

SJ: Can you share with us one of your favorite images you’ve taken? Tell us where you took it and the thought process behind it?

Dana: “I have so many, but I have been taking courses on natural posing, and how to get more connection between my subjects. With this particular family, I knew it may be hard to get a 1 and 3-year-old to cooperate, so doing something they think is fun was key! I told dad to hold baby in the air and I told mom just to play with her other daughter, but the only rules were mom and dad had to be back-to-back and no one was to look at me. This made the parents try to keep their daughters’ attention and it was such a sweet moment for this family!”

SJ: What should high school journalism and photography teachers be doing for their students to help prepare them for a career in this field?

Dana: “I think it’s important for students to understand that life isn’t always ‘Pinterest-worthy!’  I have seen students upset with themselves because they are comparing their images to a Pinterest image or another photographer’s.  It’s important to understand the differences and that lighting, people, camera settings, etc. are all different for every situation.  If you’re a good photographer, you should be able to come up with your own creative photography!  You also have to be able to move quickly, so always having the next plan in the back of your mind is inevitable.”