May 1, 2017

Meet Dana Bramlett of d.l.b photography in McDonough

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Bramlett.

Dana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve worked my whole life, and always felt like I was supposed to be doing more than just working a 9-5 corporate job. I’ve always had a love for photography and a camera in my hand not wanting to miss anything that my son at the time was doing in life. My husband bought me my first film camera, that was used so much the shutter stopped working. (True story, I can’t make that up), he then bought me my first digital camera and encouraged me to see what could happen. I joined several photography groups, asked to shadow local photographers or just help out in their studio when they were extra busy, even took a few beginner classes at the local technical school. This began my story, I dabbled in just about everything photography related, families, seniors, weddings, schools, kid’s sports, babies and children. I was afraid to “specialize” in anything because I wanted to make sure I knew how to do it all. A little over 4 years ago, I began to feel like this could go somewhere, I prayed and sought direction about what to do next. I was leaning more towards specializing in Maternity, Birth and Newborn photography, because of all the things I had photographed those were my favorite. Those sessions were what moved me and seemed to show my true love of photography and my heart. In September of 2013, I traveled to mentor with a newborn photographer to learn posing, soothing, use of lighting and how to start my business model. In January 2014, I signed the lease on my very first studio. Dream come true, right? To this day, I still get chills thinking about when they put the sign up in the yard. I was there until July 2016 when they sold the building. My husband and I moved our businesses to the square of McDonough. The little store front building in the heart of the town I grew up in is more than I could have ever dreamed. We were given the opportunity to customize the space to reflect us, which has really helped to show my clients what my brand is and what dlb is all about. I wouldn’t be here without the love and support of my family and my amazing clients.

Great, 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?
NO! Owning your business and trying to make your own way is never easy. Trying to make and find your way in a sea of photographers on every corner can be trying. There are slow times, that in the beginning I would get nervous about. However, now I’m realizing that the slow times are a welcomed change of pace. That slow time allows me to refresh things, to come up with different products to offer my clients, or to just dig down deep and stir my soul and create something that will unlock all the creative juices. There are times when there can be doubt because you want to offer everything under the sun that every other photographer is offering, but finding your brand is what is the key. Knowing what you have to offer and making it desirable enough by your clients that they want to tell all their friends and family about you.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about d.l.b photography – what should we know?
Dlb photography started from a love of not wanting to miss a single thing that any of my children did in their day to day lives. They change so so quick that I was afraid that if I didn’t take a picture of it I wouldn’t remember it. I specialize in Maternity, Birth, and Newborns, this is a point in your life that is HUGE and you can’t get back. It’s the time in your life where being caught up in the moment or the sleepless nights you forget so quickly. I’m able to preserve that for my clients. I’m known for my brand and style of shooting. I’m drawn to neutral earthy tones. Cream, ivory, muted tones are my jam…I would say my style is more shabby chic with a rustic twist. My sessions are customized towards each client so that they can place their art anywhere in their home. Because of the studio, it has opened up the doors for me to be a full-service photographer. My clients are given full access to my prop collection, which would be limited if I were a traveling photographer. Going along with the full-service studio I’ve started offering fine art products to my clients that range from wall art, photo blocks, canvas collections and albums. This gives them the full experience along with a few treats along the way, my goal is to have them come in relax and be able to soak in this moment in time.

I’m most proud of dlb for that niche, always striving to go the extra mile for my clients. Staying on top of the trends and knowing if they do or don’t mix well with what’s been established so it doesn’t confuse my clients. I’m the most proud of the products that I’ve added to the studio that speak leaps and bounds to my clients and makes them want to buy them when they come in the studio.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think that my love for my family is what drives me. I know that while it is hard to have and own your own business, to know that your kids are proud of you and your business enough to tell their friends or strangers about you and what you do is winning in my eyes.

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