Today we’d like to introduce you to Syriana Davis.
Hi Syriana, 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 was always the person taking recap videos at family events, so media had my interest early on. I actually signed up for cosmetology in high school, but a scheduling mix-up landed me in graphic design instead — and I fell in love with it. I told myself I’d start shooting once I had “the best” equipment. God had other plans.
In summer 2023, my niece asked me to take her maternity photos. I had no real portfolio — just spec campaigns from school — but I said yes impulsively. I borrowed my brother’s Canon Rebel T3, and when she ended up getting induced early, I was left holding the camera with no shoot to use it for. My brother was slow to come get it back, and I kept telling my dad I wanted to do more with it. He told me to stop being a chicken and just do it.
*So I started a page in secret. I photographed loved ones and family, gained my first 9 followers, and fell in love with the process — editing, making people feel good, showing my personality through the work. That’s what built my early clientele. I did free shoots and $20 shoots for months. People cussed me out. Some told me they didn’t even feel right paying me that little. I didn’t listen — I put every dollar back into commuting to shoots, just trying to master the craft. Eventually I built a real structure: a website, policies, systems.
Then March 1, 2024, I quit my job. I was on a roll all month, building momentum — until March 24. I had a gun violence peace march to shoot, my first assignment in bad weather. My colleague and I put trash bags over our cameras and made it through the rain — the moment itself was powerful. That same night, I had a birthday shoot booked. I got one photo off before my camera died completely, water all through it. I had about 300 followers and a community waiting on my next move, so I posted old work while I put myself back together. I cried. I thought about quitting for good.*
I kept busy instead. The next month, my niece went to prom, and while her mom’s booked photographer situation got sorted out, I started snapping photos of her on that same broken little camera — and they came out beautiful. I posted them, and an old friend from school asked me to shoot her prom too. I told her no. I told her to find someone with real equipment — this wasn’t something we could redo, and all our old middle school friends would be there. I didn’t want to embarrass myself. She insisted anyway.
That’s the day I understood: it was never about the camera. It’s the person behind it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road the route that I chose of learning as I go and enjoying everything in the moment caused me to have to update my policy as I go.
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?
I am a photographer and videographer who specializes in editorial imagery. I am most proud of my resilience and how determined I am to make whatever I have work. What sets me apart from others is that I don’t just create and capture I curate.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If you’re just starting out get your feet wet only do it for the right reasons try every medium of photography that excites you. It’s okay to not have a niche people are attracted to familiarity so the more you know the more they can resonate. Don’t rush to monetize perfect your skill the projects you create from passion is a different type of hunger. Send your client deposits to a hysa to grow interest for tax season. Write down all of your expenses and payments from each client or else you’ll be scrambling next April.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Diamondnaisaphotography.com
