Check Out Latonya Owens’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Latonya Owens.

Hi Latonya , 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 journey has been one of faith, creativity, and trusting God with the gifts He placed inside of me. I’ve always been creative through music, ministry, graphic design, event planning, and photography. Over time, photography became more than something I enjoyed—it became a way to help people feel confident, celebrated, and see themselves differently.

I started Toni Lyn Photography in Pittsburgh and have grown through many seasons of learning, sacrifice, and stepping out on faith. One of the biggest shifts in my business came when I introduced Flying Dress photography. I wanted women to know they didn’t have to travel to an island or exotic destination to have that beautiful, luxury experience. What started as an idea has now opened doors for me to travel and bring the experience to women in other cities.

Through every stage of my journey, I’ve learned to pray, trust God’s direction, and keep moving even when I couldn’t see the entire plan. Today, I’m continuing to grow Toni Lyn Photography and expand creatively, believing there is still so much more ahead. I truly believe when God gives you a gift, your job is to be faithful with it, take the first step, and trust Him with where it leads.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of my biggest struggles has been learning how to balance being creative with actually running a business. There have been slow seasons, ideas that didn’t work the way I expected, financial investments that required faith, and moments when I questioned whether I was moving in the right direction.

I’ve also had to learn not to compare my journey to others and to understand that growth doesn’t always happen overnight. Entrepreneurship requires you to constantly adjust, learn, and sometimes start over. Through it all, my faith has kept me grounded. I’ve learned that every closed door isn’t a failure, and sometimes God uses those moments to redirect you. The challenges have taught me to trust Him, believe in what He placed inside of me, and keep going even when I can’t see what’s next.

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?
I’m the owner and photographer behind Toni Lyn Photography, based in Pittsburgh. I photograph branding, headshots, maternity, birthdays, seniors, families, and special milestones, but I’ve become especially known for my Flying Dress photography experiences.

What started in Pittsburgh has now expanded into Cleveland, and I’ve begun traveling and taking the Flying Dress experience on tour to different cities. It’s exciting to see something I started locally grow beyond my own city and allow me to connect with women in different places.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just take pictures—I create an experience. My goal is to help women build confidence and remind them that beauty doesn’t have an age, size, shape, or background. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful, confident, and celebrated. I love seeing someone arrive nervous or unsure and then completely transform once the dress goes on and the camera starts clicking.

I’m most proud that my work has become bigger than the photograph itself. The beautiful images are important, but helping someone see themselves differently is what means the most to me. Whether I’m photographing someone in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or another city on tour, I want them to walk away saying, “Wow, that’s really me.”

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe sometimes you have to take a risk before you fully know how everything is going to work out. Flying Dress photography was definitely one of those risks for me. I invested in purchasing multiple dresses without knowing exactly how I was going to market it, how people would respond, or even how big it could become.

I had the vision, but I didn’t have every detail figured out. I stepped out on faith, trusted God, and gave myself room to learn as I went. What started as an uncertain investment has now grown from Pittsburgh into Cleveland and opened the door for me to travel and take the Flying Dress experience on tour.

That experience taught me that risk doesn’t always mean being fearless, it means being willing to move even when there are unknowns. I believe in using wisdom, but I also believe there are moments when you have to bet on yourself, trust what God has placed inside of you, and take the step. If I had waited until I had everything perfectly figured out, I might have missed what this has become.

Pricing:

• Flying Dress Experience begins at $300
• Branding Sessions Begins @$500
• Headshots begins @$175
• Portrait Sessions begins at $300

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flyingdresscleveland.com/
• Other: https://tonilynphoto.com/