Today we’d like to introduce you to Dani Napoli.
Hi Dani, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I had spent 10 years in the wedding industry. I joke that I’ve done everything other than hair and makeup and actually be a bride, but its the honest truth. The Lord has blessed with the opportunity to see this industry from so many lenses, which truly shapes how I conduct business today. I started like many, with photography being a hobby, a point and shoot Nikon Coolpix, and one day I decided, I’m going to start a photography business. And I did. That week I purchased a professional camera and lens. Set up a website and domain. Begged every friend and couple I knew to let me photograph them. And well, almost four years later, I’ve photographed in 2 countries, 6 states, all over Texas, and have been able to make this my full time business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This has absolutely not, by any means, been a smooth road. But when you truly want something, is it ever? I’ve messed up so many times, and gotten knocked down, tried trends that set me back, had amazing mile stones that pushed me forward. However, God was there every step of the way. And thats what truly gave me the courage to keep going with every setback and struggle. He gave me the strength, the more I leaned on him, trusted in his will, and surrendered everything I was doing, is truly when everything began to make sense and come together!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Wedding photographer. I specialize in elopements and couples/engagement photos. I am known for allowing the couple space to be truly themselves. I rarely take a photo with the couple looking directly at me. I find such beauty in the moments that I am simply an observer. A professional people watcher, if you will. I give the couple prompts or put them in scenarios where they can be themselves and can walk away not just with photos, but truly magical memories of the time spent taking them. Yes, I’m a hype girl by ever means, but I am honored to be able to take a couple back to a date, moment, special memory that was a pillar in their relationship and capture those moments and feelings.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Within the wedding community in general you will find that it is very competitive. My rule of thumb is to harvest community over competition. There are plenty of couples to go around, and you must respect and understand that not every couple is a good match for you. Once you understand who you are looking for, your path will get a whole lot smoother. Find community within this industry, it can be very lonely if you don’t, and pour into each other! The heart behind your work should never be for the financial gain, it should be for the couple. Monetary gain is a perk, but the responsibility you hold to make someones wedding day memorable, and special, or as a photographer, to capture photos that can never be remade, is not something that should ever be taken lightly, or for granted. It doesn’t matter if your client turns into a “bridezilla” you have been entrusted to this day.
Pricing:
- Cinematic Couples Session – $650/session
- Elopement Photography- $550/hr
- Weddings- average investment $3400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cardinalphotography.online
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_cardinalphotography_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CardinalPhotography.Dani
Image Credits
Cardinal Photography (myself)
