Meet La’Quitia Denson | Wedding & Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with La’Quitia Denson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi La’Quitia, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always in a way been atristic since I was a little girl. If I wasn’t drawing, I was painting or using my computer’s paint program to draw something. I even went to Moore College, an all girls Art School to pursue a degree in fashion and a minor in graphic design.

There is a beauty in art and I was trying to find my own place in it. It just felt right. Free in a way even to just let my mind wander and hands follow. Knowing that I created this piece of art in front of me was liberating.

With photography, my mind though of the ideas and my eye had to be able to capture it. I love it freezes a moment in space, like magic. The good, the bad, the happy, or sad, it’s suspended in time forever. I discovered the beauty in photography and it gets me every time I have perfectly (or sometimes imperfectly) composed image. And I wanted to feel that for the rest of my life.

What should our readers know about your business?
The road to being a business has not been an easy one. As a photographer, I have observed other looking to climb the steps to be a famed photographer or a recognized brand. There is nothing at all wrong with those aspirations but that wasn’t a driving factor for me. I love telling stories (especially love stories) and getting to know people. I look forward to having freedom to to do just that and move away from the 9-5 life.

I’ve had to learn how to market myself and effective communication skills. I’ve had to break out of my own introvertedness to particpate in my first wedding expo and learn to network with other wedding vendors. I have always wanted to have a positive impact on the lives of others and if I can do that through photography, then I am doing something right.

Moving from state to state, you learn that you essentially learn how to rebrand and let the folks in the new state know you’re there. You have to immerse yourself within your community and connect with the people in it. I am so fortunate to have met such amazing photographers, videographers, make up artsist, wedding planners, models, etc. Getting to know your community is invaluable! You also learn not to give up. What doesn’t succeed today doesn’t mean it won’t succeed tomorrow. You just have to want to continue to want it everyday. And I love my business, connecting with people and I can’t wait for the next story to share.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am not from the area but I do have a friend that is so I suppose in this scenerio that would make me the visiting best friend.

From that perspective, there are a few places I’d love to try. As a serious lovee of Japanese Cusine, I would dream to try N/Naka’s 13 course meal. Does it come with a price tag, yes, but I love the culture and the aspects of tradition.

I love wine and a good view so Perch Rooftap bar seems lioe a great choice. You get a view of the city with a pool AND they appear to have a decent wine selection. I feel it’s a win-win all around. For places to visit, I appreciate a well curated musuem and have a fasination with art and history. With a week long trip, I’d have to pay a visit to both the Natural Nuesum of History of Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

For things, I would want to discover what Century City has to offer and Santa Monica and Downtown LA for a little night life. And what would a trip to LA be without a trip to Hollywood to see the famed Hollywood sign!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to shoutout Marisa Zimmerman of Newark Delaware. I would not be where I am of she did not take a chance on me. I remember the day she was looking for an assistant, I had no idea she was a photographer but we knew each other through mutual friends.

I had just purchased a camera and was documenting local music artists in the area. I wanted to support my friends and by the time I knew it, I was interviewing bands and had my own music blog website. After an accident, I decided a needed a more controlled environment and found Marisa’s post about an assistant. I applied and crossed my fingers that she would chose me – and she did!

From there I would be at her house so many days out of the week, learning the back end of running a photography business, maintaining a website, communicating with clients and of course understanding my camera.

While Marisa has a Canon and I have a Nikon, the principles of photography were the same. And before long, I was taking shots during sessions and became her second shooter. I am still her second shooter today and I love it. She has been supportive of my branching off to start my own business, which is great because a lot of photographers have a competion over community mindset. I am grateful for Marisa for laying the steps for me and continuing to be my support.

Website: https://Www.beyondthepond.photography

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