We had the good fortune of connecting with Dasha Denger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dasha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
At the time I was only 16 and when I borrowed my mom’s point-and-shoot camera I got so excited by the photographs I achieved of my close friends that they quickly nudged me to take my skills public by offering our local high schoolers Senior Portraits. And so my business started right there and then, with a few friends and their portraits being shared on FB back in 2009!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is extremely personal and very subjective. What I see in people is an inner beauty, a spirit and a soul that is always loving, compassionate and excited for life! I tend to vibrate towards the kind of people that are good natured, loving people who are creative and have a passion for life and what it has to offer us.

I am the most proud of my current line of work I get to do which is called “Personal Awakening Experience” where I first do a 1-on-1 intimate sit down with my client to help them cope, better understand themselves, heal traumas as well as acknowledge their own set of behavioral patterns and traits that can use improvement in order to achieve a more peaceful lifestyle.

Professionally no, it has not been an easy trip for me! Nevertheless, in its own way it has been absolutely a GORGEOUS trip that I would not trade for anything. Thought it hasn’t been an easy one both financially and emotionally, I have gone through numerous internal changes, personal life “rock-bottom” moments as well as painful growth spurs all the while trying to stay afloat with my business. I got where I am today by putting in endless amounts of effort, never giving up and always rising higher and higher no matter what the situation brought me face to face with.

Some of the most prominent lessons I have learned over all these years in the business (as well as the most important ones since 2020) have truly been to A) Be myself through every single conversation and action. B) To always approach every road block both as an opportunity to overcome and as an opportunity to grow personally from, and C) To have good intentions for myself & others that way my vibrations will always attract exactly the kind of wonderful energy I am trying to manifest.

To get the full story you’ll have to visit my site (dashadengerphoto.com) but to sum things up into a short few sentences I would have to say this: My story is one of perseverance and overcoming hardship through personal and spiritual growth. Working on my self and who I wish to be has always taken priority over any project no matter what it paid. I have a truly unique story that I am always happy to tell so please, feel free to email or message me directly through social media and I will be happy to tell you more!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am currently not stationed in the greater LA area but I would hands down always have to say Brandt Park and the Glendale area! It has always been so gorgeous when I was there shooting or hanging out that I can’t recommend it enough to everyone to go visit. The beautiful view from hiking up to Hidden City View is always such a treat!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To be completely honest, everyone I have ever photographed, come in contact with and had the pleasure of mentoring/photographing since starting in 2009 would be to thank for who I am today. Without their constant support to inquire about shooting with me and trusting me to pose, guide and direct them I wouldn’t have learned as much as I have today!

Back note: I have always helped guide all my models (and on many occasion personal friends and family) through a personal coaching approach to help them better themselves, their craft and their careers. It took me many years to finally come to the realization that I am in fact a Personal Development Coach as well as a Photographer. In the industry we often don’t take into account just HOW much help and guidance we as the Photographer’s provide our clients/models/friends etc and so it never crossed my mind that I was actually doing a vital part just by communicating with my subjects about everything from emotional to professional road blocks, how to grow as a model, how to evolve as a person through determination & confidence building techniques etc etc.

Of course I have the support of my family and friends, and that has been a constant for which I am endlessly grateful!!

Website: http://www.dashadengerphoto.com

Instagram: @dashadengerphoto

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dasha-denger-photography/

Other: Google My Business Page: https://g.page/dashadengerphoto?share

Image Credits
All images provided are shot & fully retouched by myself, Dasha Denger Photography All Rights Reserved 2022.

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