About
I’m native Oregonian who recently transplanted myself, my sweetheart, and my business all the way across the country to beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana. I officially started my business, Dani Photography, in 2009. Since that time, my business has grown so much, I've had to limit the amount of shoots I can accept! I love all of my clients and take pride knowing that I give them the attention they deserve. My business philosophy is now, and always has been, quality over quantity.
BRIEF HISTORY
2018: Married my sweetheart; changed business name to Dani Benton Photography!
2016: Relocated my business to beautiful New Orleans!
2015: Relocated my business to Portland, Oregon
2014: Closed my studio to pursue on-location shoots
2012: Opened my photography studio in Dallas, Oregon
2011: Left my day job to pursue Dani Photography full-time
2010: Graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Visual Communications program
2009: Founded my business Dani Photography
2008: Started my career as Photographer & Graphic Designer at a local design studio
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
2014 > Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley Photographer: Bronze Medal
2013 > Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley Photographer: Silver Medal
2012 > Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley Photographer: Silver Medal
2011 > Oregon State Fair’s Oregon Salon of Photography: Honorable Mention
2011 > Momentum: Images of Dance: Second Place & Permanent Gallery Display
2011 > Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley Photographer: Silver Medal
2011 > Photographer’s Forum Magazine’s Best of College Photography ’11: Published
2010 > Statesman Journal’s Best of the Mid-Valley Photographer: Silver Medal
2010 > The Everyman Pro Int’l Photography Competition: Second Place
2009 > The Everyman Pro Int’l Photography Competition: Second Place
2009 > Photographer’s Forum Magazine’s Best of College Photography ’09: Published
2009 > Polk County Fair: Best of all Black and White: First Place
2008 > Oregon State Fair: All-Oregon Art Annual: Third Place
I'm comfortable shooting everything from natural light to complex studio setups, inside the studio or outside in nature. I’ve had the pleasure of working with hundreds of wonderful individuals, couples, and families, for weddings, engagements, maternity portraits, family portraits, high school senior portraits, event coverage, and professional headshots. Also, I work with small businesses to create images for their online and printed materials; my background in graphic design helps me to understand and anticipate their needs. Lastly, I also create my own personal work, and love to collaborate with models and designers to create surreal imagery.
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Frequently asked questions
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a degree in Visual Communications for Graphic Design, with a minor focus on Photography. Prior to starting my business, I worked for a number of years at a graphic design studio as their Lead Photographer working with commercial clients. Since going out on my own in 2009, my training comes from pushing myself to grow as an artist, by seeking out and teaching myself new skills. Every wedding or portrait session I photograph adds to my lived experience as a photographer.
How did you get started in this business?
Photography found me in 2007, while I was studying graphic design in college. As soon as I picked up the camera, it just felt right. In the years since then, I've received a small handful of photography awards, have shown my pieces in a number of art galleries, and found myself published in the Photographer's Forum's annual 'Best of College Photography' for two years.
What types of customers have you worked with?
I’ve had the pleasure of working with hundreds of wonderful individuals, couples, and families, for weddings, engagements, maternity portraits, family portraits, high school senior portraits, event coverage, and professional headshots. Also, I work with small businesses to create images for their online and printed materials; my background in graphic design helps me to understand and anticipate their needs. Lastly, I also create my own personal work, and love to collaborate with models and designers to create surreal imagery.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
Weddings in New Orleans are their own special thing, unlike weddings anywhere else in the country! It's important to find a photographer who understands the fast-paced nature of weddings and how on Earth to photograph a wedding's secondline parade in the pitch black streets of New Orleans. Other things to look for, of course, is their body of work, their experience, and their ability to keep you comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera.