Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Taufer.
Hi Danielle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My heart leads the way in my life. As a child, I loved to marvel at nature. My mother quickly noticed this about me and designated a space in our yard for me to grow a garden. She planted me a baby rose bush. As the roses grew, so did my desire to witness them. So my mom bought me a disposable camera and like most photographers, it started with pictures of flowers. By ten years old, I had my first camera. It was a Polaroid One Step Instant Camera and I asked for a film every birthday and Christmas.
Three years later, I received my first digital camera and there was no limit to the number of things I wanted to capture. When I entered high school, my camera came with me every day. I grew up in a poor city and our school had little-to-no funding for the arts, I developed my technical skills in photography by taking pictures of people and things at all times. The summer after high school I began studying for my Bachelors of Science in Photography at the University of Central Florida. With the dream of becoming a national geographic photographer. In the classroom, we would spend hours discussing images and the world in which the image was created. As I studied, I took up internships and contracts with Orlando Magazine, UCF Marketing and a couple of wedding photography services. By 20 years old, I was the lead photographer for UCF publications, a commercial freelancer for other universities and publications and a wedding photographer. I earned my B.S Degree in 2015 and felt I had learned enough about the wedding and portrait industry to offer my community photography officially, and In 2017 I became Danielle Taufer Photography LLC. The people that I meet and the love stories I am able to illustrate here in my community through my work is far more worth the adventure to me than traveling the world as a national geographic photographer. When you give your work to God he takes you where you need to go.
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?
In hindsight, starting my own business just seemed to manifest naturally, but thinking back, every accomplishment I achieved had a fear to first overcome. When I was interviewing for the UCF Marketing Department (one of my biggest accomplishments yet), I thought I was merely applying for an internship. I figured it out when the photographer I thought I was going to be learning under tipped me off that he thought I would most likely be the choice to replace him.
At this point in my life, I had never had a paying job before. I wanted to show my team that they made a good choice in me but I had no clue how to work with creative directors and designers. It was a fake it till you make it a couple of years. I also was still a student at UCF at the time. I was sent alone to photograph UCF’s best Alumni and most important events. Nasa Engineers at the space station, Snoop Dogg at homecoming, Ucf’s 50th anniversary. I felt like this important job was wasted on me but I worked hard to not let that be true. I saved enough money at this job to buy my camera and lenses that I still use to do business today. I live paycheck to paycheck but I view myself as wildly successful because I live with the freedom to do what I love, as a one-woman operation.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Today, I primarily photograph weddings. I am a very romantic person and I think my clients can feel that they are, in fact, my inspiration as I photograph them. I think what sets me apart from other photographers is my un-selfish perspective. My photos are never going to be about trendy filters or getting more likes. The goal during my sessions is not to collect great advertising materials to attract the next client. It’s about being a storyteller and recognizing the client’s dreams and vision too. I find so much joy and fulfillment in showing other people the beauty I see in them. I remembered a few years ago, a Brides mother called me and she earnestly just really wanted her daughter to have the wedding photos of her dreams. She asked me to pretend I’m photographing my best friend’s wedding, and I really hung on to those words. I will create a photography schedule for inquiring clients before they even book me to be sure I am a good fit for their special day.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Throughout my time studying at UCF, I meet amazing peers that are also currently thriving photographers and creatives in Central FL. Orlando is a saturated market for photographers, but most weddings require the need for two people on the scene. So photographers that would have been my competitors are my colleagues and we freelance and refer each other to new opportunities. I love working with other photographers and collaborating with a team.
Contact Info:
- Email: d.taufer@yaoo.com
- Website: danielletaufer.com
- Instagram: @danielletaufer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielletauferphoto
