Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Hanusek.
Hi Danielle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up on a farm in Maryland, I was always drawn to nature and dreaming of adventures. I was hit by the travel bug at a young age and knew I’d explore the world whenever possible. In college, I pursued Graphics and Visual Communications with a minor in Photography, which paved the way for my photography career.
I immediately snagged a great job managing and shooting for a high-end portrait studio, and for four years I was immersed in capturing everything from families, seniors, and babies, to events, weddings, and businesses.
Life seemed great behind the lens, but something was missing.
I craved more purpose and joy in my work and life. As I continued to travel and explore, I started taking steps toward a sustainable, minimalist lifestyle and felt a profound transformation during one of my longest travel adventures through Europe and Asia in 2014. That’s when I founded Live Wonderful, my photography company.
Its sole purpose is to inspire others to live in wonder always. Now in Central Florida, I focus on helping families preserve meaningful memories, helping businesses tell authentic brand stories, mentoring beginner photographers, and, of course, capturing adventures every time I travel.
With over 18 years of professional experience around the globe, I specialize in imagery that’s expertly crafted, authentically bold, and tailored specifically to your unique vision.
I’m not just a photographer. I’m a conscious storyteller. A curious explorer, and a creative student of life – and so are you.
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?
Not at all. There was a period of more than a year when I felt genuinely lost as I worked to understand the kind of artist I was becoming and build a business model around work that felt meaningful.
Settling in Central Florida eventually gave me the sense of home and community I had been missing. That stability helped me clarify my purpose, build lasting client relationships and create a business that could continue growing with me through different seasons of life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional photographer, creative strategist, writer and educator, and I’ve been building Live Wonderful since 2014. My work sits at the intersection of photography, storytelling and brand strategy.
I have more than 18 years of professional experience across luxury portraiture, brand and commercial photography, travel, education, marketing and design. Over the years, I’ve photographed devoted founders, artists, service businesses, products, properties, communities and purpose-driven organizations. I’ve also helped thousands of students become more confident photographers and visual storytellers.
My photography has been published and licensed for commercial and editorial use, including a collection of Orlando images selected for a nationally published Cityscapes book. I was also named Orlando’s Best Professional Product Photographer by Peerspace.
Today, I primarily help founders build brands that feel as meaningful as the work they have devoted their lives to. Photography is often the starting point, but my background allows me to see beyond the shoot. I can recognize how the imagery needs to function across a website, clarify a message, support a campaign and communicate the larger story of the business. Depending on what a client needs, that can expand into creative direction, messaging, website recommendations, visual strategy, writing or other finite brand-building work.
What sets me apart is that I don’t approach photography as a collection of disconnected images. I learn the business, understand the people behind it and look for the relationships between their work, values, audience and future goals. Then I translate that understanding into a generous visual library that feels honest, useful and distinctly theirs.
I’m most proud of the trust people place in me. Many clients have returned for years, brought me deeper into their businesses or referred me to people they care about. The most meaningful outcome is not simply that they love their photographs. It is that they see their work more clearly, feel renewed confidence in what they are building and finally have the language and imagery to share it with the world.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’ve learned that confidence doesn’t come from having your whole life figured out. It comes from paying attention, following your curiosity and trusting yourself enough to take the next step.
I’m also a mom now and just beginning to return to more of my creative work. Motherhood has changed my priorities, but it has also made me more intentional and excited about what I want to create.
I’m ready for this next chapter—building a creative, abundant life that makes room for meaningful work, motherhood and whatever wonderful opportunities come next.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://livewonderful.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livewonderful_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiveWonderfulPhotography/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/livewonderful/
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/livewonderfulnow
- Other: http://daniellehanusek.com/
