Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Dowell & Mindy Taliaferro.
Hi Chris & Mindy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Together, Chris and Mindy collaborate both on and off set. They met many moons ago at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Color Theory class and have been making magic ever since. After exploring years on their own, they finally paired up in the business sides of their lives. Total complements, Chris focuses on the big picture while Mindy hones in on the fine details. Together, they’re known for their whimsical sensibility and passion for crafting truly unique work at Dowell & Co., nestled in Fayetteville, Georgia, just south of Atlanta.
They specialize in visual storytelling through striking photography, cinematic drone work, and short films. They take the time to understand your brand, uncover the story that matters, and build a creative strategy that connects. Whether hiking into a shoot on location, documenting real moments on the job, dreaming up an over-the-top studio set, or crafting portrait sessions with style, their work blends vision with heart.
At Dowell & Co., they don’t just create content—they create imagery worth looking at.
Chris’s Story
I cannot remember a time when I did not have a camera in tow. When I first got to college, I was all about shooting surfing and fashion. My first internship was with Sandro a commercial photographer in Chicago, where I got my first look at a full commercial studio. It was eye-opening, and honestly, a little overwhelming, so when I went back to school, I shifted toward documentary work, telling stories that felt more personal and lasting. I left the Savannah College of Art and Design with a Bachelors in Photography.
That path led me to an internship at the Smithsonian’s Department of Entomology, photographing oriental flea beetles under a microscope for scientific publications. It wasn’t the most exciting subject matter, but it connected me with photographers from the ILCP and even an editor at National Geographic, which really deepened my appreciation for purpose-driven imagery.
After college, I spent a summer in Missoula, Montana, as a wildland firefighter, photographing my crew and the landscapes around us. From there, I moved to Naples, Florida, to be with Mindy and shot local news and sports for the paper. I still loved photography but was starting to see that documentary work might not be a sustainable career path.
When Mindy got a new job in Chicago, I followed—and re-entered the commercial world as a photo assistant. After a few months, I became a full-time first assistant/digital tech for a photographer named Jeff Sciortino. I worked there until COVID hit and shut everything down.
During lockdown, I started shooting personal projects about hunting and farming, exploring sustainability and food systems. That work caught the attention of Henry Rifles, who became my first real client. Soon after, Mindy and I moved to Colorado, and I began building my business full-time. Henry signed on for a retainer, and not long after, I connected with Gunner Kennels, another SCAD connection, which led to even more creative freedom and steady work.
Over time, I got to shoot everything from bear hunts in Montana to avalanche rescue dogs and California surfers, building a portfolio rooted in authenticity and storytelling.
When Mindy joined me full-time, Dowell & Co. really found its rhythm. She streamlined the business side: branding, delivery, logistics, while I focused on the creative. As the outdoor industry slowed after its COVID boom, we pivoted toward workwear brands, landing projects with Tingley Rubber, Schaefer Outfitters, and eventually Portwest, where we shot and produced their American catalog and corresponding campaigns.
Now, together, we’re focused on telling real, human stories that connect craft, work, and purpose through photography that feels honest and alive.
Mindy’s Story
It all started under the tall southern pines of Savannah, Georgia, where I studied Interior Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Between the cobblestones, the cockroaches, and the city’s undeniable charm, Savannah taught me that design isn’t just about how something looks, it’s about how it feels.
After graduation, I headed to Naples, Florida, to work with CID Design Group on their FF&E team. I styled and installed multi-family spaces across the country, learning the real-world side of design; broken deliveries, endless deadlines, and the art of chopping every pillow just right. That hands-on experience taught me how critical it is to get out from behind the floor plan and into the field.
Craving more city life, I moved to Chicago and joined Dunne Kozlowski (formerly d+k) as an Interior Designer. There, I honed my skills on hospitality projects; restaurants, bars, and boutique spaces; learning to defend every design decision and see projects through from concept to completion. It was trial by fire, and I loved it.
When the pandemic hit, Chris and I headed west to Colorado, where I joined Revolve Design Build doing residential work. I fell in love with the slower, more intentional process of home design, seeing projects evolve over years and focusing on sustainability. One of my designs even appeared on the Emmy-nominated show “Idea House: Mountain Modern.”
After a wild ride in event design at Crush Studio (where I helped design a lounge for the Miami Grand Prix), I realized what I truly wanted: creative freedom and meaningful collaboration a little more close to home.
Now, I’m an Art Director and Producer at Dowell & Co., the photography and production studio I run with my partner, Chris. Together, we create storytelling imagery for brands who value authenticity and heart.
Through every twist in my career, from FF&E installs to full-scale productions, the common thread has been a love for design that tells a story. Whether it’s a space, a brand, or a photograph, I’m most inspired when creativity meets purpose – and when the people I’m working with feel just as passionate as I do.
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?
We’ve both had many pivots in our careers; from finding the right fit to navigating layoffs during the pandemic we’ve continued to support each other through each phase of the journey.
As a couple and now business partners, we have found that allowing each other to make the choices that felt “right” rather than the choices that looked best on paper has been what has made our professional and personal relationship so strong and successful.
Without all of the experiences we had on our own, we would not have developed all of the skills that we use together at Dowell & Co. today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Dowell & Co. we specialize in telling stories that connect and build brands into more than just products. Some photography studios focus on one thing, one niche, and define themselves in that context. For us, it has always been about creating images that are worth looking at, no matter the subject. Photography is an incredible medium that warrants constant improvement and exploration. It is that idea of always pushing to make something better that keeps us from narrowing down to one subject or niche; there is just too much to be explored in the world to limit ourselves.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I have always loved stories with a sense of adventure, both big and small. One of my all-time favorites is A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. The bulk of the book is 12 essays that chronicle the life and nature around Leopold’s Wisconsin farm. While not an epic journey, there is a sense of deep exploration into the land, and it feels like a meditation on being a witness and a part of an ever-changing ecosystem. – Chris
It’s all about fantasy books for me! In terms of podcasts, I love getting inspired by the women that both the Financial Feminist and She Pivots bring on their podcasts. – Mindy
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dowellandco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christopher_dowell/
Image Credits
Chris Dowell
