Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anna Dunwody. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Anna, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?
I have always had the inherent need to be able to understand why people do or say what they do. My ability to communicate effectively comes from the desire to learn about someone else’s story. I find each individual journey so personal and interesting, and if someone has reached a level of vulnerability where they feel safe enough to share that with me, I feel like it is so important to hold space for them and actively listen. It’s all about listening to understand, not listening to respond.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a photographer/visual storyteller located in Tampa, FL. I think being able to capture the beautiful vulnerability that comes with the human experience is the most exciting part of my job. I hate being put in a box, and I always try to say yes to new challenges and inquiries, as there is always a story to be told about each and every person. I love shooting home births. They feel so personal to me because I also gave birth to my daughter at home, and the photos always come out so raw and full of emotion.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Never be afraid to try something new. You may not always find immediate success, but pushing yourself out of your comfort zone always leads to new opportunities and a newfound confidence that you didn’t know you had in you.
2. Always ask questions, even the hard ones. I think it’s okay to admit that you don’t know everything, but you should always be open to learning, because that’s how we all grow. Sometimes asking questions can be really uncomfortable and make you feel really vulnerable, sometimes there’s a lot to unpack. But I feel that I owe it to my clients to do that work and have the capacity to be vulnerable because that’s exactly what I’m asking them to do for me.
3. Don’t let ANYONE blow out your flame! In the 10+ years I’ve been a photographer, there have been so many people that have told me it’s a pipe dream, that I’ll never make a career out of it, that I should pick something a little safer. I know it sounds so cheesy, but you have to believe in yourself and your dreams. Maybe it’s because I’m a bit of a dreamer, but I truly believe that if you feel called to do something, and if that something sort of completes you in a way, then you should do it!! Don’t let anybody yuck your yum or change your mind! You are more than capable of doing anything that you want to do, you just have to reach for it.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is anyone who appreciates and values art and wants an honest representation of our time together as it unfolds. It’s someone who is down to open the flood gates of emotion, to let me into their private bubble, and to create a visual representation of this chapter of their lives. Anyone who wants to belly laugh, chat, cry, joke, sing, dance, run, jump, and play. Basically anyone who’s down to go on adventures and just be themselves, anyone willing to be free.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.annadunwodyphoto.com
- Instagram: @annadunwodyphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annadunwodyphoto
