Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Williams.
Hi Denise, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My photography journey actually began in 1975 when I was just 15 years old. At that time, I became intrigued with images and bought a small camera and these were the days of film photography. After learning some basic photography concepts, it was just a hobby off and on for years, I decided in my late thirties that I wanted to take things up a notch but really didn’t know where to start, so again I abandoned my craft. After much contemplation, I relocated from my hometown of Brooklyn, NY to Jacksonville, FL in 2001 and later married my husband in 2007. He gifted me a camera because he’d seen some of the images I started posting online. So I not only began shooting again but decided it was time to go ahead and start my photography business which included social media services. It came right on time, because the recession in 2008 took my job as a loan processor with it, so I felt it was the time to shift gears and jump right into a new venture.
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?
OH, good gracious no! It was nowhere near a smooth road. I began the business during a recession and being a military wife, we moved quite a bit in the early years of our marriage. So many were losing their homes, jobs and small businesses were hurting financially. I was fully aware this venture could easily not work, however I began to look for ways I could insert myself into a project. I looked online and found Jacksonville Magazine was looking for a photographer. I met with them and was hired on the spot to do the social pages for them. Every week I was the step and repeat girl, going to all of the fundraisers and other social events around the city. One of those assignments brought me to The Players, where I met the Sr. Photographer for The Florida Star Newspaper. After meeting with Ms. Clara McLaughlin, the owner and senior editor, I was on their staff as a freelance staff photographer. The road was quite rocky because in spite of the gains women have forged in the marketplace, sexism is still alive and well. I learned to navigate that valley by being direct, confident and learning from others who’ve made a career in media.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am most known for my photography business now, but before I came to be a business owner I worked in the IT arena for over 20 years. IT was good to me, but didn’t honestly fulfill me. I wanted to be creative while opening the door to help people. Photography has given me that opportunity. My camera has led me to many places and I had opportunities some only dream of. I had a chance to photograph notable people such as President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson. I’ve met senators, members of congress and athletes such as Tiger Woods.
I am so proud to have been chosen to work on those projects, especially since these opportunities came in the first and second year of establishing my business. I think what sets me apart from other photographers is that I believe in the power of community. People are drawn to imagery and I am also focused on how people see themselves. I learned that many people need to be strengthened from the inside so that they can embrace their unique outward beauty. For this reason, I host empowerment workshops to address issues such as body image, emotional trauma to offer solutions to women who struggle with self-image more often than men. I love capturing obvious external beauty with my camera, but I also love seeing women flourish as they themselves embrace the beauty I see in them as well.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned in my journey is that we all need a bit of compassion. When we’re compassionate, we can see a need and be that viable catalyst to assist. The way I understand it, compassion is made up of several positive components that I believe are essential not only for success in a business, but also for success in life. Compassion is made up of patience, support, kindness and caring which are traits needed to run a successful business. Knowing how business works is one thing, but knowing how to engage people in an authentic, transparent way will open doors of favor. Favor can’t be bought; favor doesn’t come from having credentials, although there is a place for that but favor comes from having character. It drives people to want to help you realize the vision that was placed inside your soul. This is what propels you forward, reminds you why you started in the first place and gives you the drive to press through every challenge that is thrown in you path.
Contact Info:
- Email: dj@djwilliamsphotog.com
- Website: https://www.djwilliamsphotog.com/
- Instagram: @NYCPhotogurl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NYCPhotoGurl
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYCPhotoGurl
Image Credits
Photography: Denise J. Williams & Brumbie Williams
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