Today we’d like to introduce you to LaDina Reese
Hi LaDina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is LaDina Reese. I was the child that always walked around with a camera for as long as I could remember. I grew up in Chicago, IL so there was always something to do and to take photos of. Of course majority of my photos were of my childhood friends. I was always fascinated with the camera but never really took it serious. One day I was working from home at the beginning of the pandemic… I get a call from the company I was working for and they tell me they no longer needed my services. In fact they let our entire department go. At that very moment I decided that my next career will be something I enjoy doing and have a passion for. So I went back to school to get my photographic technology certification. I learned so many things from working in a dark room to developing my own film to learning how to put my photos on display for the world to see. I currently shoot with a mirrorless camera but I will not hesitate to pull out my Pentax K1000 and shoot black & white in a heartbeat. I love photographing people in general. Portrait and Wedding photography is my current niche but I love other genre’s of photography as well.
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?
There were some struggles along the way. Having to make decisions from how am I going to pay for this out of pocket to gaining clients to if I will open of a portrait studio. I doubted myself in more ways than one. I didn’t know if I could really do this and be successful at it. I sat down and literally thought out a pathway of how I would get there. I followed that plan to the best of my ability and it has turned out to be a great journey. I feel that I have accomplished so much is this small timeframe. When I look back on how far I’ve become I’m still amazed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently I specialize in Portrait and Wedding photography. This is what I’m known for as well. I have gained so many clients from word of mouth. I make sure that my clients have the best experience when we are together. I’m most proud of the feedback that I get when I complete a session or a wedding day.
I believe what sets me apart from the rest is I always have a open and positive mindset with my clients. I ask there vision and I do my best to make it come to life all while having fun in the process. I tell them to bring people with them that they know will help them feel comfortable. I’ll always have some good music playing to help ease the atmosphere. I find that when clients are more relaxed and are around people they trust it helps feed into their session to make it more enjoyable.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, I’ve learned that at the end of the day we all need each other. We cannot survive in this world without being around other people. The interaction with other humans is the most important thing we have in this world. Without us nothing will ever be created therefore nothing will exist. This is why I make my sessions fun so people won’t forget how they felt when they are in my presence. I’ve gained so many friends and repeating clients this way as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Dinadeephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinadeephotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dinadeephotography
