Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Peek
Hi Dawn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always been a photographer. As a young girl, I was mesmerized by the way light danced on the world around me; a simple camera was my companion, documenting birthdays, vacations, and the ever-changing seasons. As I grew, so did my passion. The camera became an extension of my eye, a way to freeze time and preserve emotions. I had many careers throughout the years, including massage therapist, travel agent and various office jobs for different industries. After many years of caretaking in a long term relationship that ended, I found myself needing to shift and finally decide what I really wanted to be when I grew up. None of the old careers appealed to me so I decided to see if I could make my life long love of photography a source of income. I ramped up my equipment and refreshed my education around lighting, angles and posing and launched my portrait photography business, Peek Photo Group. My friends and family were my first subjects, their smiles and laughter filling my growing portfolio. I also took opportunities to create images for projects like a theater group and even volunteered as a historian for a local elementary school for a year.
Soon I was photographing engagements, and individual and family portraits. My style was unique, a blend of classic and contemporary, capturing both the grand moments and the intimate details turning ordinary scenes into extraordinary works of art. I have an uncanny ability to connect with my subjects, making them feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the lens. My work isn’t just about taking pictures; it is about telling stories. Each photograph is a chapter in someone’s life, a memory to be cherished for generations. I capture the joy of a couple’s love, the bond between a parent and child, and the love shared between friends.
Beyond my professional work, photography is a way I can give back. I have volunteered my time and services to document community events, capture the beauty of nature, and raise awareness for social causes. My images have the power to inspire, educate, and evoke emotion. I am not just a photographer; I am an artist, a storyteller, and a visionary. My legacy is not just in the countless photographs I take, but in the countless lives I have touched through my lens.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like so many people, the Covid years were a struggle. However, since Peek Photo Group is operated from home, I was able to safely tend to individuals’ concerns by keeping a clean environment in the studio and setting up sessions in the outdoors. Another challenge of a more personal note is late diagnosed ADHD that has been eye opening as an explanation for so many little things that have prevented me from really becoming a household name. Learning to create systems for keeping track of all the moving parts has been essential. Creating the studio at home was tricky, but our living room is the dedicated Studio, while what was the dining room is now our living room.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Through creating family portraits, maternity, newborn, and many women, I found that I really had a passion for creating a premium experience for women to feel empowered to be just who they are. Many “accomplishment” sessions (significant birthday, graduation, cancer survivor, engagement…) and “just because” boudoir sessions filled my calendar. The images from these sessions are hanging on walls across the country. Empowerment for the pre-teen is another passion. The awkward age of hormone, facial and body changes can be a turning point for so many young people. I understand how encouraging it can be for the young person to see themselves celebrated on the walls of their home. Additionally, I am most proud of having a superpower – Headshots. Mostly, I am known for making my subjects comfortable and capturing their essence with my tools and empathy.
For the past two years, Peek Photo Group has been the official headshot photographer for the Dash Gordon Foundation’s A Night To Remember Pageant for special needs young ladies. Providing the images that are displayed at the pageant venue is a source of great pride and joy. And knowing that each girl is so excited to take their images home is incredibly gratifying.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Photography is an artform. Nowadays everyone has a camera in their back pocket, which is fabulous for capturing so many events and smiles that have been missed in the past. However, the “lost” generation of children and families who have all their images in a phone is disconcerting. For the future generations to have the legacy of portraits, we must rely on the photographers who value the printed photograph. Media forms change. How many people have images on a floppy disk or CD and have no way to view them? My hope for the future is that everyone has wall art that shows the growth of their family through the years as well as documenting the achievements and celebrations and also simply the beauty.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peekphotogroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peekphotogroup
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peekphotogroup
Image Credits
Dawn Peek, Peek Photo Group
