Photo credit: Andrea Shea Photo
Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Alicea Brown.
Hi Danielle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I originally started photography in high school, with my main subjects being animals. I worked at a ranch, so I had so many horses to practice on. Back then I didn’t see it as anything more than a hobby. Fast forward about ten years to 2020. I’m a new mom and I decide I want better pictures of my daughter than what I can take on my phone. I dust off my (literally) 10+-year-old Canon camera and start practicing. I watch YouTube, upgrade my camera lens, and decide to purchase a newer Canon. Not only did I practice on my daughter, but I did free photoshoots for friends and family to learn and find my style. While I started photography to take better photos of my daughter, it turned into a lucrative side hustle. Because my daughter was my first muse and I love her name, I decided to name my business Indie Reign Photo. My daughter’s first name is Indie, middle is Reign. With this now being a business, I realized I absolutely love capturing love – especially between couples. This is how I recently transitioned to couple and wedding photography. I still take on clients for all types of sessions, but my favorite type of sessions are working with couples, including big milestones like maternity, engagements and weddings.
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?
All of my struggles were self-inflicted. I absolutely struggled with imposter syndrome. It is so easy to compare yourself to other photographers who have been in the game for years, even decades. I struggled with feeling stuck and being in a creative rut sometimes. At first, I wanted to do all the things – I wanted to be the best graduation photographer, commercial photographer, wedding photographer, animal photographer, etc… I realized I would serve my clients and myself better by focusing on what I REALLY loved, which is couples/weddings. I also struggled with navigating motherhood and opening a business. Some of my internal thoughts were, “Am I selfish for starting this business on top of my day job? Will this mean less time with my daughter and husband? Is the startup cost for my business worth it? Is starting this business in the beginning of a pandemic a smart move?”
I never saw myself as an entrepreneur, but here I am, a mompreneur who is thriving and leaving a legacy for her daughter. I also have to shout out my husband, who has been nothing but supportive. He has made the struggles easier and supported me in every way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a couples and wedding photographer based in Gainesville, Florida. Amongst my friends and clients, I am known for editing my photos in a way that makes every skin tone look beautiful and realistic. As an Afro-Latina with olive skin and golden/peach undertones, I previously found that I can look VERY orange in professional photos. Editing brown skin takes a little more work in my opinion, and perfecting my client’s skin tones is something I pride myself in. I have spent hours upon hours learning and experimenting with my editing to make sure all my client skin tones look realistic and natural. I believe this is what also sets me apart from other photographers in my area.
As a one-woman shop, my couples get the full Indie Reign Photo experience, A+ customer service and a one-on-one relationship with me. I pride myself in developing real relationships with my couples, meeting them in person and developing lifelong relationships. Establishing this relationship in the beginning, allows me to help my couples feel comfortable and trust me as I guide them with poses and prompts during our photoshoots. My goal is customer service that makes couples and families want to come back to me for all their life’s special moments. It warms my heart to know I get to be an integral part of my couples and families for years to come.
What makes you happy?
My husband, daughter and real, authentic relationships with people. My family and close friends are everything to me, so they are the #1 thing that makes me happy. After that, I would say being creative (through photography of course, and other mediums like painting/drawing/interior design) make me happy. I love aesthetically pleasing things and being able to let my mind run wild.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@indiereignphoto.com
- Website: com
- Instagram: com/indiereignphoto
- Facebook: com/indiereignphoto
Image Credits
“Personal Photo” – Andrea Shea Photo
