Tell us a little bit about your business.

I leapt into the world of wedding photography in 2009 as a second shooter, then launched Dawn Derbyshire Photography in 2013. I had an amazing couple who had a killer vision and put their faith in me and my budding company. They hired me for an engagement session, boudoir session, and their wedding and let me use everything for social media and promoting my business. That wedding was an amazing experience that taught me about ideal clients, how awesome boudoir sessions are, and what about weddings make me excited. It made everything click and showed me it was possible to have a career where I can be excited, passionate, and constantly challenged to create something beautiful and unique.

What makes your work unique?

I joke with my husband that my clients must think I’m crazy because of how genuinely excited I get about their weddings. I throw myself into every wedding. I smile ear to ear when my clients see each other for the first time on their wedding day, tear up at the tokens people use to remember their loved ones who have passed away, laugh along with the jokes during speeches, and occasionally bust a move on the dance floor when no one is watching. I have clients ask for me to deliver albums in person so we can hang out and I jump at the chance. I try to cultivate fun, authentic relationships with my clients and I feel like it helps me create better images.

What is your ideal client like?

My favorite couples are fun loving, a little bit silly, like to think out of the box, and are ready to put their trust in me to capture something amazing on their wedding day. I obviously love when my clients make great photos a priority but what matters most to me is that they’re full of love and joy and are excited to have this amazing step in their lives documented!

What is your approach to photography?

I strive to create images that are colorful, emotive, and detailed. I like to combine my fine art background with a little bit of photojournalistic flare to capture not only beautiful portraits that look authentic, but the moments that go unnoticed and the emotions that are abundant throughout your wedding day. I’m a sucker for details, especially cohesive shots that help tell the story of the wedding. I love capturing all of the little things that are easily forgotten after the day is over.

I do all of my own editing and use my background in film photography to influence my editing style. I love to make sure my images pop and I like bold colors. I try to avoid editing “trends” since I also want the images to still be beautiful when you’re flipping through your album in 10 or 20 years.