We’re looking forward to introducing you to Danielle Bracamontez. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Danielle, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
That’s an easy one. Rest and time with my family. Often times during wedding season I haven’t prioritized anything other than work. If you are a photographer you know fall is sometimes our bigger source of income for the year and it has been really hard in the past to find a balance. This year I made the decision to stop working double headers (back to back weddings) and it has improved my work life balance so much. I have been enjoying the time I do get to spend with my family during school events, evenings, and fall festivities.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Danielle, and I’m the owner of Ray Faye Creative Co. I’m currently working on an exciting rebrand that will launch in 2026, featuring refreshed offerings and experiences for my clients. I’ve been in the photography industry for five years, four of those as a full-time wedding photographer. There’s something deeply sentimental and powerful about being able to preserve moments in time creating visual stories that become family heirlooms for generations to come. I once heard someone say, “To know grief is to know love,” and that idea has always resonated with me. Photography, to me, lives in that space it’s about capturing love in all its forms, knowing how precious and fleeting each moment truly is. To be a good photographer is to be observant, intuitive, and genuinely connected. It’s about reading the room, understanding people, and knowing what matters most to them. That’s where wedding photography feels so meaningful for me, it’s more than documentation; it’s storytelling through emotion, light, and presence. What sets me apart is my ability to create calm within the chaos, to bring a sense of ease and authenticity to every moment I capture. My approach is rooted in empathy and intention, allowing my couples to feel seen, understood, and completely themselves. I don’t just take photos, I help preserve what it felt like to be there.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
It always read “talks a lot” on my Thursday folder, the one I brought home every week for my mom to sign. I was always a creative, even before I understood what that meant. Math and science were never my strong suits but writing and poetry caught my attention early on. I’ve always been sentimental, drawn to deep connections, and a bit of a dreamer. I was goofy and charismatic and always the first to take a dare. Looking back, I think I’ve always lived with one foot in a dream world. I loved to draw, but I could never quite translate what was in my head onto paper. Still, I kept trying, because I felt things deeply and wanted to express them somehow. At my core, I was a little girl who valued love, imagination, and the beauty of feeling things fully and I think that same girl still guides the way I see the world today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
It actually happened this past summer. It was my slowest season to date, and I was struggling, both personally and professionally. Within the span of three weeks, I totaled two cars. The first was from hitting a deer on the way home from a wedding, and the second was my fault, on my way to an elopement. It felt like everything was falling apart at once. That season forced me to pause and really sit with myself. I focused on self-development, discipline, and for the first time in a while, true rest. I didn’t realize it then, but that period of stillness was preparing me for what was next. Just a few months later, I walked into my busiest season yet and had the best month of my five-year career. It was such a humbling reminder that even when things feel like they’re breaking apart, sometimes they’re just making room for what’s meant for you. I’m so thankful I didn’t give up.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
With social media shaping so much of the world we live in, it’s easy to fall into an alternate reality. I’m guilty of it too and constantly working toward healthier habits. The wedding industry has slowly become more performative, often dictating what’s “in” for the year, what flowers to choose, how your hair should look, what your day should feel like. But the truth is, your wedding can be whatever you want it to be. It should reflect who you are and what you love, the quiet and sentimental things that make your story yours. Trends fade, but meaning lasts. It’s not about perfection or performance, it’s about presence, connection, and the kind of love that feels like home.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in my garden and at home with my family. We love to travel together it’s been a while since our last trip, but that’s always been our safe space: exploring new places side by side, collecting little memories along the way. Still, nothing compares to being home. A simple dinner around the table, a quick game of Wahoo, all of us laughing and getting way too competitive, those are the moments that ground me. My peace has always been found in them, in the love and comfort of my family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rayfayecreativeco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayfayecreativeco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rayfayecreativeco/
Image Credits
Ray Faye Creative Co.
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