Today we’d like to introduce you to DeMariah Newsome.
DeMariah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?
I have always been creative and a lover of the arts; however, before photography, my first love was graphic design. I loved creating ideas and bringing them to life on my computer. I designed everything from logos and invitations, to t-shirts and much more. Once I began to accept clients for my graphic design work, I often found that the images they submitted, to be used in their artwork, were of extreme low quality; therefore, I felt a calling to pursue photography. In my heart, I knew that I could incorporate photography into my graphic design business. I began with two Nikon CoolPix point and shoot cameras, but I knew that I needed a better camera. I explained to my mom, my idea of combining design and photography, and she thought it was a good idea. On Christmas of 2015, she gifted me with a Canon T5 DSLR kit, and that is when my photography journey began.
One day, I was asked to take family portraits for a family friend. After taking their photographs, honestly, I was not happy with the pictures AT ALL. This then inspired me to learn more about the art of photography, and how I could improve my work. Let’s be real, we all thought photography was simple, just push a button and there you have a great photo; but I’ve learned it’s so much more than that! So, I began researching and studying everything about photography, then I would go out and practice what I learned. Although there were a lot of sleepless nights, I could see my work improving, which motivated me on! After finding my style and niche, I became comfortable enough to launch “DeMariah Newsome Photography.”
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My photography journey has not been a smooth road, but it has not been too tough either. One of my early struggles, was in gaining clientele. See, I am not the most sociable person, so getting out and meeting new people was extremely nerve-wracking for me; I therefore, relied heavily on social media, to gain new clients. Every time I uploaded my work, I prayed for a booking. To this day, I still get nervous when meeting new people, but I have learned that if I treat them like family or friends, my anxiety diminishes. I am extremely thankful for my family and friends – those who continue to help me, and push me, to step out of my comfort zone, everyday!
Another obstacle that I have had to overcome, was comparisons and self-doubt. I think almost every artist battles with this at some point in their career. In the beginning stages of becoming an artist, all you do is compare your work, to that of others! After doing that for a while, you begin to question yourself and your work, which often leads to self-doubt. You begin to feel as if you will never reach their expertise level, but you cannot expect to be great overnight. The people you admire, were once beginners too. To overcome self-doubt, I kept my focus on my business and did not pay so much attention on the competition; simply stated, I kept telling myself, just “DO YOU!” Also, I’ve learned that praying and surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people, will help you get through those rough phases in order for you to achieve your career goals.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
DeMariah Newsome Photography is based in the South Georgia area, and specializes in, but is not limited to, glamour, creative, family, maternity and child portraiture. I pride myself on making my clients feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. Once a client looks and feels their best, that’s when their confidence boosts and they find their inner-model persona. What sets me apart from other photographers, is ME! I believe that my passion, persistence, and professionalism, catches the attention of new potential clients. I would say that I am most known for my photo-retouching skills; that is what my work gets complimented on the most. If you follow me on social-media, you’ll likely see speed-edit videos, and before and after images of my work; I receive a lot of positive feedback from my followers on this, and they regularly ask for more posts, similar to these.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I kept to myself a lot, because I was an extremely shy child. At school, I was known as the smart, quiet, girl who never talked to anyone, but somehow, I still made friends. As previously stated, I was always interested in the arts. I loved to write, draw, paint, act, and more. Anything deemed artistic and creative, had my full attention.
Contact Info:
- Email: dnewsomephotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dnewsomephotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/dnewsomephotography
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