Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheyenne Dokos.
Hi Cheyenne, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up showing lots of interest in art, dance, and music, I was homeschool from the first grade all throughout high-school. I was active in ballet all my life and it greatly shaped me into the person I am today. I danced with Grecia Fenton all through my school years with her ballet company – Ballet Esprit. Grecia would not only provide us with accessible training and handmade costumes for performances, but we would travel all around Brevard County in an attempt to perform at nursing homes, libraries, and schools in order to make the arts more accessible to everyone. Soon after training with Mrs. Fenton, I made it through auditions for MCBT and the National Ballet Theatre of Ukraine’s productions of both Swan Lake and Cinderella at the King Centre for the Performing Arts at the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022. After these productions ended, I lost my spark for dance as it became incredibly intense and I was dancing nearly 6 days a week. I began to struggle with finding my purpose and other outlets to express my creativity. This is when I discovered an even deeper love for film and photography. I was approached by a woman at church thinking I would be a great fit for a casting call, even with little acting experience. Before long I found myself in big roles in two award winning short films. Now approaching huge life change in my senior year of high-school, I picked up a camera and my life has changed so much since. Over the past year photography has been my number one pursuit along with starting my junior year at the University of Central Florida in their communications BA program. Photography has been a huge creative outlet while dealing with lots of health issues and personal change this year, and I am incredibly lucky that I not only get to do what I love for fun but also have been able to turn it into a business that I can call my own. I have worked for a family-owned and local HVAC company, Assurance Aire. I run their social media along with take all of the photos you see through their advertising and Google Business posts. Owned by Charlie Hein, they have given me so many great opportunities to expand my experience and work with some of the most fun people I’ve met. My own personal photography business – Framing Brevard Photography, is just now turning one year old and I can’t wait to see how I am able to grow into 2026 with more creative projects, portraits, events, and weddings.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
At 10 years old I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and it has been a long road trying to figure out how to manage it. As I grew into my later teen years, I struggled with and still struggle with high anxiety and a long list of symptoms I found out this year to be linked to PCOS. I’ve had a lot of relationships with people I grew up with and thought would be in my life forever end without much notice this past year or two, and photography has really helped me make connections with new people I would’ve never met otherwise. It has most definitely been a long road filled with lots of change that I’ve struggled to adjust to, but I am so excited to see where it takes me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a local photographer and social media manager! I specialize in portraits and event photography along with my creative and colorful editing style. I have a college credit certificate from Eastern Florida State College in digital video fundamentals and enjoy videography on the side as well. I had a great opportunity to work on a project for Operator Solutions after a pararescue jumping drill. I was able to get to know the CEO and conduct and interview along with complete a video project for them explaining their mission and values.
I also work as a social media manager and photographer for Assurance Aire, a local HVAC company in Titusville, Florida. I manage and schedule all socials, advertising efforts, and take all photos out in the field which has been one of my favorite things to do. I love being able to go on rooftops, or in attics and fun places to test my photography skills in whole new ways.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned is that you need to just start. For so long I put off my own aspirations and dreams out of fear that it wouldn’t work out. Do everything you can no matter how you feel. Whether you are scared, tired, or feel as if you are not good enough, if you don’t start you can never grow. Start badly, messily, imperfect, and unorganized because if you wait until the perfect time, it will never come.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheyframesbrevard/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheyenne-dokos/
- Other: Assurance Aire Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AssuranceAireLLC/
Image Credits
The photo of me taking a picture of the car – Credits go to DLS Media also known as Diquan Simon.
Other photo credit to Framing Brevard Photography.
