We had the good fortune of connecting with Dawn, Photographer and Business Owner, we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Casually taking photos, in middle school, (with my best friends camera) quickly turned into a passion once on the yearbook staff. Tasked with capturing 3 photos of each student from elementary to high school and all sporting events. This is also when I was introduced to photoshop, no lessons, it was all trial and error. I feel these all were keys factors in establishing the foundation for my business.

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.

I began my venture into photography over 20 years ago. When my mom got her first digital camera, I was snagging it every chance I got! “I’ll take pictures on our vacation for you!”, “can I take pictures of my friends at school?”, “I need to take this on our field trip, it’s easier than film and I can take more photos”.

Fast forward to high school, I became really good at taking photos of everything, photoshop was opening more opportunities for our yearbook pages, I loved designing yearbook layouts and was highly requested for senior page designs. This was easy stuff but no money….

The kick in the butt I needed came from my best friend. She suddenly became interested in photography, started taking classes with at a local photography studio I idolized, at the time. Next came the rivalry to build our audience. I purchased my first DSLR, a Canon T3i with kit lenses & camera bag. I was so pumped to get my name out there. I started my Photography Facebook Page and invited everyone on my friends list. Then released a free photoshoot giveaway if you like, commented, and shared my page. It was a HUGE hit!

I attended the University of Arkansas for Graphic Design and Photography then moved to Texas with my husband. This was a challenge as I had to regrow my clientele and finding new places to shoot. Facebook algorithms changed and wanted to charge to share with my own following. So I advanced my social media through Pinterest, Instagram, and my own website.

No studio, so I had to use local outdoor locations. Texas Grasslands and natural lighting became my best friend. Once we purchased our first home, I was able to use our game room as a studio! Cake Smashes, Mini Sessions, and Christmas Photos, all done in my home. Sometimes with a houseful with family in town for the holidays. I’ve used every room in our house for a different type of session. Our kitchen for Cupid’s Cookies Minis, our guest room for a Winter Wonderland with faux snow and Christmas Tree Forest, our front living room had the perfect lighting for cake smashes, and our back room was my favorite for moody sessions.

It was becoming apparent that switching background multiple times was time consuming and grew harder with two kids that HAD to be involved in every session. It was time to look for a studio option. Renting was not something I wanted so we stayed patient for a building to come up for sale. There was this one particular building in town though. It was vacant but I had seen it as many businesses in the past. It was hard to get in touch with the owners. My first time in there was when the son was having a yard sale in the building. I talked to his wife about it and said they were moving. I expressed interest and she said she would be in touch. Over a few year stretch I would reach out to them on Facebook. It wasn’t until October 2021 that the owner contacted me. We arranged a viewing at the studio and I was in love. I started planning my vision for every room. We purchased the building in December and worked every day to turn my vision into reality! There were many long days and trips to hardware stores. We torn down walls, put up new walls, new floors, all over new paint. I’m sure the town was shocked when the building turning AQUA in one day. My studio became my artistic outlet in many ways. I painted interactive murals on the sides of the building, they are a HIT and I love seeing the community use them! My studio is now open by appointment based sessions and we are still working on more parts of the studio so still more to come!


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.
There are so many places I love to visit!

Grapevine – Main Street we would visit the train station, art gallery, and glass blowing studio. Antique shopping down the strip and I would need to go to some boutiques and find baskets to our newborn babies in for photos. The NASH farm would be our next go to, a historical farm that the public is able to visit and enjoy a simpler time.

Fort Worth – the Stockyards, need I say more? I will, but really you have to go. The cattle drive is fun to watch and walking the strip. My go to place is the Jersey Lily Old West Photo Parlor, you are dressed up in vintage, western clothing and get to experience vintage photography. The Botanical Gardens are also a dream for a photographer, definitely have to go during Fourth of July.

Glen Rose – would need to be a couple days trip so we could hike and camp. Home of Dinosaur Valley, where you can walk the tracks of dinosaurs. Fossil Rim is perfect for an animal experience where you drive through a 1,800 acre safari and feed animals. My favorite are feeding the giraffes through the sunroof, my least favorite being the emus. On our way back we would go to the Brazos in Granbury, one of the last drive-in movie theaters

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank my family for always encouraging me to get out my camera and just take pictures.

To my husband and kids; thank you for location scouting, spontaneous modeling, and the multiple sessions I try to throw into one day.

Shout out to my customers! I want you to know I truly appreciate your business, your loyalty, and your friendship; most of all, I appreciate that of all the choices you have, you choose me. Thank you.

Website: www.dawnwhitephotography.com

Instagram: @dawnwhitephoto

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/dawnwhitephoto

Other: TikTok @dawnwhitephoto

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