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

Hi Monique, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Most people think Photographers are just “people with a nice camera.” They think they can hire a photographer to come to an event, click some buttons, and then they’ll magically have beautiful photos, no effort at all. And that is why they’re not willing to pay what the photographer is really worth.

This could not be further from the truth. For many of us, photography is a full-time business. And with that comes with a mountain of business expenses: expensive pro-level camera equipment & accessories, editing software, monthly subscriptions, digital storage, business insurance, photo permits, hours and hours spent in post processing, etc. I actually wrote a blog on this very topic that will explain further in details so that one can understand better that we are so much more than just a Photographer.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I truly believe that honesty and transparency sets me apart from others. Oftentimes photographers are not truthful and upfront with potential clients about their offerings. I’ve read horror stories about couples forced to pay hidden charges after the wedding (ie. an upcharge for high resolution images), not getting back their photos & videos within a reasonable time frame, and getting ghosted after paying. It’s very disheartening to hear these couples being deceived and taken advantage of.

That is why I make it my mission to be as transparent as possible with every new client I sign on. I lay everything out for them in terms of what I offer and how much it costs. My clients will never face any surprises.

I didn’t get to where I am today by being dishonest, but by working hard (juggling a full time job plus running a business simultaneously prior to going full-time with my business) and building trust with every client. It’s definitely not an easy journey, but I was driven by the fact that I was finally doing something for myself, no longer being chained to a desk 40 hours a week, and creating a life of freedom for myself.

Through it all, I’ve learned to trust my instincts and have faith that everything will work out in the end.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s only one activity that I find exciting (and kinda nerdy) that I would love to share with friends. And that is – birding! Oh, did I tell you that I’m also a Wildlife Photographer & Tour Guide? Combining my love of nature and birds, I’ve decided to branch out my photography business to provide guided birding tours around Southern California, to anyone who loves nature and wildlife. I would take them to local parks, nature preserves, wetlands, botanical gardens, etc., wherever pretty birds go.

You can view my bird photography on my Instagram at www.instagram.com/moniquedao.photography and check out Birding Tour Info at www.moniquedao.com/birding.

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 don’t think I’d be here today if it weren’t for my parents and their entrepreneurial spirit. For at least two decades they have owned various businesses in order to raise and put me through school, for which I am forever thankful. I would help them out after school and on weekends, learning a few things here and there on how to run a business. Little did I know that years later I would be applying what I learned from them towards my very own photography business.

Website: www.moniquedao.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/moniquedaophotography

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/moniquedao

Facebook: www.facebook.com/moniquedaophotography

Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/monique-dao-photography-anaheim-3

Other: www.moniquedao.com/birding www.instagram.com/moniquedao.photography

Image Credits
I own all the photos. 🙂

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