Fort Family: Whitney Danielle Photography
/Photographers love The Fort. As tenants, they have studio spaces with industrial character. AND they can use our vintage factory for photoshoots. Meet our newest photographer, Whitney Danielle Photography, with a studio at 2000 South High. Gorgeous portraits happen there and outside her studio—if you’ve seen the swoontastic pink wall you know what we mean (scroll down for more).
Why did you fall in love with photography? And do you remember the first photograph you took?
I started photography as a means of emotional expression. When I first began, I had no studio, or paying clients, and I used myself as the subject through self-portraiture. I’ve always found the female body to be a form of art in and of itself, and most of my early work was portraits of myself and other women with some level of undress. It was never about the nudity or the lack of clothes, but the soul underneath, and the courage it takes to show yourself not only physically, but emotionally.
This was the first self-portrait I ever took in San Diego, CA—my previous home.
“I started photography as a means of emotional expression. ”
Do you have any rituals for photoshoots?
At WDP, we’re all about the shoot vibe! If the setting and the feel isn’t right, the shoot won’t be either. We burn candles, we listen to our clients favorite playlist, and we create a safe space where people can come, let their hair down, express themselves, laugh—cry—whatever they need to do, and just be themselves. And after that, we create portrait magic!
What makes shoots with you and your crew something special?
Our mission is what makes these shoots so special. And that mission came to me early on in life. As a little girl I would sit for hours flipping through my moms old photo albums; images of family and friends, past and present. The images that always stood out to me the most were the portraits; images of emotion, real, raw truth, and beauty. I felt a connection to each of those photographs as if I had taken them myself, especially the images of my mother, grandmother, and other powerful women in my life. They inevitably set the tone for the type of photography I would one day create, long before I ever understood those roots. They were emotive portraits of beauty, true self, and strength, and that type of photography still inspires me. It’s the type of photography we offer at our studio, and to me, it’s the most powerful form of art in our industry.
If you asked me what my mission is today, it would just that; to create powerful legacy portraits of every person who walks through our studio doors so that one day when their time on this earth is over, those portraits will live on through the eyes of the next generation. Our clients go through a transformative journey during these sessions; they leave with a newfound courage that may not have had before. The most special part of my process is watching them view their images for the first time, and be truly proud of themselves, and the legacy they’ll one day leave behind.
You ran a successful studio in Dayton. Why the move to Columbus?
I’m a Columbus girl at heart, and always will be. Not only did I partially grow up in Columbus, but I went to college here and spent the first decade of my adult life living and working here. Those were the most formative years of my life and solidified Columbus as my home. What better place to now house the most special piece of my life, my art and my business. I believe Columbus is truly the best place in Ohio for an artist to be. I adore our creative community, and I have never felt as taken care of and welcomed as I do here in the 614.
What attracted you to The Fort?
We love what The Fort is doing in, and for, the Southside of Columbus! This is such a diverse ecosystem of businesses and creative entrepreneurs. Everyone here is focused on a joint mission, and it’s something we are beyond proud to be a part of.
That swoontastic pink wall frames a gorgeous shot
If you could have anyone in the world in front of your camera, who would it be?
My Mom. When I tell you that legacy portraits are what I value most in this life, I truly mean that. My mom is/was one of the strongest people I’ve ever known, and truly one of the most beautiful. When I see myself as strong, beautiful, and courageous, it’s always on the days I look in the mirror and see her looking back. Something we didn’t have the time to do was get her in front of my camera for a legacy portrait before it was too late to do so. I encourage women every day to put aside the flaws they see in themselves, and their fear, and take images of themselves with their babies, and for them as well. One day when the only thing left of the person you love most is the memories, those photographs will be the most invaluable things you’ll ever own.
You’re stranded on an island and you can only have three items. What are they?
That’s easy: a good book (because I can’t go a day without reading), my camera and best landscape lens, and my emotional support water bottle. That said, I’m going to die well read, hydrated, and with one beautiful landscape portfolio. I’m an in-door studio type of girl—let’s hope I’m never stranded on an island for too long!