Finding the connections.
My 2025 mantra…finding the connections
There’s something deeply personal about standing behind a camera. It’s not just about framing shots or adjusting light—those are the technical parts, sure, but the real magic happens when the people in front of me start to relax, to open up, to let their true selves peek through. Photography, for me, is less about capturing posed perfection and more about capturing people as they are: perfectly imperfect, beautifully themselves.
When you step in front of my lens, my job isn’t just to make you look good—it’s to make you feel good. And that’s where the psychology behind the camera comes in. It’s about easing nerves, finding common ground, and making connections. Whether I’m working with a couple, a family, or a group of kids running wild, I love those moments when people stop worrying about how they look and start just being.
And honestly? That’s when the best pictures happen.
But it takes more than just good lighting to get there. It takes trust, a little vulnerability, and—on my part—a lot of letting my own weirdness show. Especially with kids. They don’t want perfection—they want play. They don’t need polished professionalism—they need someone who can laugh at themselves, trip over their own feet, and get right back up with a grin. When I let go of trying to be “the professional” and just be myself, kids respond to that. They relax, they play, they fall into their own skin—and that’s where the magic happens.
Behind the Lens: Embracing the Weird, Finding the Magic
There’s something deeply personal about being on both sides of the lens. For the person in front of the camera, it’s vulnerability wrapped in self-awareness, a cocktail of “Am I doing this right?” mixed with a splash of “Why am I suddenly hyper-aware of every limb I have?” I get it. The moment you’re asked to pose, every natural movement feels like it needs a user manual. But that’s where I come in — to turn those moments of self-consciousness into something real, something you didn’t know you were capable of: feeling comfortable, connected, and beautifully you.
Honestly, the camera is just a tool. It captures what’s already there — your humor, your quirks, your quiet confidence, or maybe your chaotic energy that makes the people around you laugh. My job isn’t to create something artificial. It’s to meet you where you are and say, “Hey, you’re awesome just like this.” I bring my weird, I only ask my clients to bring theirs!
Building Comfort, One Awkward Laugh at a Time
You know that moment when someone’s shoulders visibly drop? That’s my favorite. It’s the instant they stop holding their breath, stop questioning every little thing they’re doing, and just let go. Suddenly, they’re laughing, moving naturally, and being themselves. That’s when the magic happens — not in the perfectly posed shots, but in the in-between moments when personalities start to shine. Or my favorite, “That was kind of fun!” Ok, if you’re coming in for your headshots and you’re on your lunch break — and somehow I made your day not to bad in having your photo taken? Ultimate compliment.
I love working with kids because they haven’t yet learned how to be uncomfortable in front of a camera. They don’t overthink; they don’t wonder if they look awkward. They just exist, unapologetically themselves, with sticky fingers, messy hair, and wild imaginations. And honestly, they give me permission to be my weird, quirky self too. I can say the things that weirdly fill my brain to my mouth, a moment of relatability that’s freeing — for both of us.
With adults, it’s a bit different. There’s a process. We carry years of conditioning, worries about how we look, and insecurities about what the camera might capture. It’s my job to gently strip those layers away by creating a space where you can feel seen without judgment, where it’s okay to relax and just be who you are. Truthfully? I love connecting with new people, some of the most incredible experiences I’ve had have been made from conversations taken place in front of the camera. It’s my way of connecting with people, that allows me to share a result that allows them to feel their best selves. The deeply grateful responsibility that deeply drives me to help everyone love photos of themselves! That’s it, that’s the goal.
It’s About Perspective, Not Perfection
Let’s talk about double chins for a second — or rather, the myth of double chins. People love to ask me (or demand) “No double chins, though, right?” And my answer is always: absolutely not. What you have is a unique angle, a perspective that might not feel familiar to you, but that doesn’t make it less beautiful. Photography is all about perspective — about finding the angles that let your confidence shine and showing you the version of yourself that’s real, not airbrushed or manipulated.
I don’t believe in perfect photos. I believe in honest ones. The ones where you’re mid-laugh, where your eyes are crinkling at the corners, and your posture is relaxed because you’ve stopped thinking about where your hands are supposed to go. (Spoiler alert: there’s no right answer to that.) Those are the moments where you’re truly you, and those are the moments I live to capture.
Connecting Through Stories
Every person who steps in front of my camera has a story. And I want to hear it, as someone who has always felt a little un-connected to others, I love connecting on those little details that make you unique. It’s those stories that bring depth to every photo and create a connection that goes beyond the image.
I’m endlessly curious about people. I want to understand your perspective, learn about your world, and celebrate the quirks that make you different. Because the truth is, we’re all a little weird — and that’s what makes us interesting. That’s what makes a photo more than just a picture. It’s a glimpse into who you are, unfiltered and unapologetic.
Letting Go of Judgment, Embracing Confidence
Stepping in front of a camera can feel daunting. There’s this unspoken pressure to look a certain way, pose a certain way, and present yourself in the most polished version possible. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be you. My job is to create an environment where judgment doesn’t exist, where you feel free to let your guard down and let your personality shine through.
When we let go of the idea that we need to be flawless, something incredible happens: we become real. And real is always more interesting than perfect. Real is where your shoulders relax, your hands find a natural place to rest, and your face lights up with genuine emotion. Real is where your story lives.
Conclusion: Let’s Capture Your Weird, Wonderful Self
So, if you’re reading this and thinking, “I hate having my photo taken,” or “I never know what to do in front of the camera,” I want you to know that you’re not alone, Ma’am, Sir - kids alike - you’re in the right place. Discomforts in place - I really don’t either, but I can help others do it ALL day long!
x. DIONEL
P.S. IF YOU’VE READ TO THE BOTTOM HERE, I HAVEN’T UPDATED MY PRICES AS OF YOU - SO IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO STILL BOOK WITH THAT DECEMBER SPECIAL (A 60 MINUTE SESSION WITH ALL FULLY EDITED IMAGES; A BOOKING CODE; BOOKING FOR ANYTIME IN 2025) IS STILL AVAILABLE. MOSTLY becuase I haven’t gotten to doing anything with it, but also because it’s a Friday - after a full day shoot that warmed my heart (with incredible people) and I would like to take the evening off!