Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny Denise Williams.
Hi Destiny Denise, 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?
I have always been interested with cameras. My father would record me a lot when I was younger. So there was always a camera or video recorder around. I remember the first time my father allowed me to take one of his cameras with me to on a safari field trip. I was soo excited to even carry the camera that I didn’t take any photos, haha. CRAZY RIGHT! However, the desire to story tell through pictures grew on me. So much so that my English teacher in middle school gave us an assignment which instructed us to write a letter of persuasion of something that we really wanted for Christmas. I viewed this not just as an assignment but as the moment to ask for my first camera. I was never the kid that asked for a lot of things, but this moment was so heavy in my heart that I felt I would regret not asking. So, I emailed the letter to my parents and on Christmas day I received nothing. Disappointment filled my heart and sadness covered my countenance, But then that Sunday morning, my father asks me to go “check the mail”. I thought this was bizarre, but I went and checked the mail anyway. As I got to the top of our driveway, I saw a white box that had a Samsung point and shoot camera. I couldn’t refrain the tears, and we went to Walmart to pick out a camera case along with SD cards. Fast warding to my sophomore year of college, later my first point and shoot camera is a bit old for my new photography skills, so I inquired for another updated camera. My mother ended up getting me my second point and shoot Kodak camera that had an exceptional zoom range !!! However, it was my junior year of college that really propelled the seriousness of my craft. I started to take some film / photography courses and was able to rent a DSLR camera through the school. I would ask any and everyone who was willing and able to be a model for me. One day I was riding in the back seat of my friend’s car downtown Montgomery headed to an evening surprise birthday dinner, and we come to a red light. Next to this red light to my left there was an old abandoned white building that read “Photography LLC”. The letters of the building were highlighted and felt like they were jumping out at me. As the light turned green, the experience of the letters resonated with me that I was a bit quiet for the duration of the car ride. I ended that day feeling like I was going to have my own photography business and maybe building. The next couple of months, I saved and prayed and finally got my first DSLR camera. The year 2020 which happens to be my senior year of college, I planned out and had certain opportunities lined up so that my transition into the “real world” would be somewhat smooth. However, those opportunities fell through, with the spread of Covid-19, I had to move out from school fairly fast and it was in this vulnerable time that my business was birthed. I was able to discuss business plans with my mom and step-father, and my biological father and my step-mother was very supportive to building my equipment, along with my grandparents who support me in helping me with shoots and spreading the word. I now travel to different states for weddings, engagements and serve the local Atlanta area for creative directing and photography.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. I do have to give all credit to God. He has strengthened me through the pockets of the year that tend to be slow. I am so appreciative of my clients who are extremally loyal to the vision of my business. Being an entrepreneur is a lot of work. The general population will only see what you put out, but very few will see or even understand the hours that got into the final product. The marketing, the finances, the pricing, the confidence, and the sharpening of the skills, networking, collaborating all play a part to the success but also take up a lot of your time. As the world’s demands change, so does your business, or as the technology changes so may your business. There is always something to learn and an area to grow in.
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?
Hello my name is DESTINY DENISE WILLIAMS.
Owner and CEO of capture the Vision productions LLC. I am a Georgia native that seeks to bring a unique flare to my community through the art of photography. A service that not only captures moments but ages harmoniously for a lifetime. After earning my bachelor’s degree in the arts from The Alabama State University, I chose to step out on faith and dive into the world of photography to explore my passion for storytelling and capturing beauty in everything and everyone.
I have always been a people person, Intrigued by their testimony, the beauty of their smile, and the rarity of their mind.
When I am not keeping busy as a young female entrepreneur, you can find me dancing, exploring the beautiful outdoors, or simply curled up in a blanket reading a good book. I hope to come along on your journey to Capture the Vision you were uniquely divinely born with.
Remember, you are God’s vision so allow me to capture it!!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I love my childhood. It wasn’t perfect, but I was truly able to be a child. There were things that I had to persevere through but all in all, I love when people ask me questions about my childhood because it truly was a special, free time in my life. One of my favorite memories starts in the backyard of my grandparent’s house. My family would oftentimes gather, even if it wasn’t a national holiday. This day was hot and my grandfather had burgers, and corn, and ribs cooking on the grill. All my loving cousins were there enjoying the sunshine, and I had eaten enough watermelon and seeds to grow a whole watermelon patch in my stomach. My mother yells to us kids running around, “YALL GET READY WE GOING TO THE POOL !” We scream with excitement and rush to get floaties, pool toys, towels, and ice cream. However, in the midst of us getting ready it starts to rain. Defeat and despair covers our faces, and our grandfather walks over to us and says: ” Maybe if you go out there and sing God will stop the rain.” I’m sure this was an innocent yet persuasive way to get us kids playing in the rain and to forget about the pool, but I took this as a challenge. I gathered my cousins, and I said let’s go a sing this song in the rain! We held hands and sung and sung and each round of lyrics, my grandfather would say “SING IT LOUDER” and we would get louder. As we kept singing, I took a pause and I prayed to God, I said “God please stop the rain so that we may enjoy the pool with each other.” I fell back in harmony with everyone else singing and a few short moments later, the rain stopped and the sun poked his head out from the clouds to greet us. I said, “Heyy it’s stopped raining LETS GO TO THE POOL!” Before we regathered our things, I stopped and thanked God for that sweet gesture. No matter how small the request, no matter how old or how young you are God is there. He is with you and He is for you, all we need to do is be daring to show our faith during the rainy seasons of our life and open our mouths to ask God the desires of our hearts. This memory helps me and brings me joy when I am weary. I never hesitate to share it because it’s a true testament that God is always there! He is loving and kind and I’m sure it shocked everyone just as much as it shocked me. I will hold this memory close to my heart for as long as my life will allow.
Contact Info:
- Email: capthevision@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.capturethevisionproductions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturethevision_/
Image Credits
images by : Photographer Destiny, via “Capture The Vision Productions LLC 2022”
