We were lucky to catch up with Caroline Dyess recently and have shared our conversation below.
Caroline , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
For me, photography is about delicately holding and telling the stories of the clients we represent. Everything that influences who I am as a photographer and individual is the desire to preserve memories and capture the “feeling” of the moment. The best part about each session I photograph is that it is an opportunity to authentically tell someone else’s story.
As a wedding photographer, I’ve learned that my purpose isn’t just taking pretty pictures—it’s being a calm presence in the chaos, a time-freezer during once-in-a-lifetime moments, and sometimes, an unofficial boutonniere-pinner or veil-fixer. My job goes way beyond the lens and is truly focused on serving people and serving them well.
What drives me is knowing that years from now, someone will look at these photos and remember how it felt, not just how it looked. The nervous smiles, the spontaneous laughter, the slightly off-center first kiss… all the perfectly imperfect moments that make a wedding real and human.
I get to document love in all its messy, beautiful, authentic—and honestly, that’s a privilege I don’t take lightly and you can catch me chatting with my couples the entire session and doing everything I can to make them laugh to get images that truly reflect themselves.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
We are a husband and wife photographer team based in Smyrna, GA. We were both raised in Atlanta + have been together since high school – shoutout to YoungLife for bringing us together. We are so grateful for this journey that God has invited us into and can’t wait to see what’s to come. Looking back over the years, our most precious pictures are filled with authentic moments. We count it an absolute privilege to be invited to participate and capture special moments for couples and families, and know the weight images hold in terms of preserving memories. Also, we are big fans of FUN! When we aren’t holding a camera, you’ll find us at the beach, eating Superica or any Ford Fry restaurant, or playing with our pups, Lincoln & Lucy. As photographers, we often don’t remember to bring our camera and gear with us for personal trips, but we do keep a couple of film cameras in our house to capture the everyday moments, and it is one of our favorite things.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I first started diving into photography in 2020, and my curiosity drove me. Since high school, I’ve always had a camera in my hand, but I never had the vision for where it could lead me. If I could go back and talk to myself 5 years ago, I would encourage myself to keep going and keep stepping out of my comfort zone!! Some of my closest friendships have been formed due to being a photographer, and I am so grateful.
At my core, I am a people person and an extreme extrovert who has never met a stranger, so the idea that I get to meet new people who quickly become friends AND capture their love stories? Count me in.
One thing I think I would categorize as my superhero strength is making people feel comfortable by doing everything I can to both relate to them and asking questions to get to know them more! Getting your picture taken is a very vulnerable experience and can be something that most people dread. For every session, I put myself in the client’s shoes and do my best to think of ways to make them feel comfortable and even forget that there is a camera present.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
As a small business owner, your community and the friendships you make are what will continue to power your growth. For me, I have relationships with other photographers and friends in the industry that are safe places to dream up new ideas with and receive feedback from. To continue to grow and serve new clients to the best of my ability, it is crucial to have experts in my corner and friends that I can lean on. Remembering that we are all here to learn and grow helps you continue to reach out to new partners and see how you can work together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dyessphoto.com
- Instagram: dyessphoto
- Facebook: Dyess Photography
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