Meet Danielle Lirette

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Lirette.

Danielle, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always loved photography, but I took a few detours to get to where I am today. I had two semesters of a film photography class in high school from a teacher who told us digital photography “would never catch on” (she retired a year later). In college, I applied for a work-study job in a darkroom but missed out because I didn’t have enough experience. Physics had also become an interest of mine by high school, so figuring that the universe was trying to send me a message I took the practical path and earned a degree in Engineering Physics from CU Boulder.

After graduation I got a job at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, working in a lab. The work satisfied the analytical side of my mind, but I still found myself drawn to photography. I bought my first digital SLR off Craigslist in 2010 and started looking for ways to learn and gain experience. I would get up early to work on editing or do a shoot or work extra hours one day so I could leave early and go photograph the next. By 2012 I realized there was nothing except myself holding me back from taking photography more seriously, so I decided to move to Denver to study photojournalism at MSU Denver. (Shoutout to instructors Joe Mahoney and Kenn Bisio for their invaluable critiques!) While there I had an internship with Westword newspaper, which turned into a steady stream of work shooting for their food and restaurant stories.

Over the next several years I continued to shoot for west word while slowly growing my business. I added wedding and event photography to my portfolio. I branched out with food photography and shot for local restaurants as well as national publications. I learned some hard lessons and spent late nights stressing over whether a shoot was ready to be delivered. Looking back now I wouldn’t change anything. All those experiences led me to where I am today.

Great, 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?
I’ve made my path forward, but it hasn’t been a smooth ride. I learned some difficult business lessons, particularly when to walk away from an unprofitable situation or take a loss with the hope of a future return. As freelance photographer finances are an ever-present concern, but I am a big believer in the idea that the money will come if there are hard work and quality to back it up.

Please tell us about your work.
I specialize in weddings, events, and food photography. I take a different approach from other photographers in that I do almost no marketing or advertising. Instead, I walk into every shoot with an open mind and try to challenge myself to do better than the day before. This allows me to connect with a client or wedding couple and deliver images they will truly value, rather being restricted by an arbitrary self “brand”. In a time when everyone has the opportunity to monetize themselves, I think it’s important to look outward and see each other.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment came in 2016 when I transitioned into photography full-time. I still wake up every morning expecting the universe to tell me this has all been a misunderstanding and that I need to give up my cameras for a “real job”. But that thought just drives me to work harder.

Contact Info:

• Website: daniellelirettephotography.com
• Email: contact@btaphotography.com
• Instagram: @dlirettephoto
• Facebook: facebook.com/daniellelirettephotography

Image Credit:
All images are my own, credit Danielle Lirette.

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