The Business of Art

There’s something powerful about freezing a moment in time. A single image can capture love, legacy, and emotion in a way that words never can.

That belief—that passion for storytelling—is what led me to start Dawson Adams Photography. It wasn’t just about taking pictures. It was about creating art that matters.

After years of training, learning, and refining my skill set, I finally decided to make it official.

On January 1, 2018, I launched Dawson Adams Photography—not with a big storefront or an elaborate business plan, but with a Facebook page.

That was the start.

From there, I kept going, session after session, building my name, my brand, and my vision.

Then, in 2020, we built our studio.

In the middle of a pandemic, we built a photography studio.

People thought we were crazy. It was a time when businesses were shutting down, when uncertainty was everywhere. But for us, it felt like the right move. We knew we wanted something permanent, something rooted—a space that reflected our vision.

And my vision for Dawson Adams Photography has always been clear:

• To freeze a moment in someone’s life so they can cherish it forever.

• To create art—pieces that belong in homes, not just on a screen.

• To give families a way to remember what truly matters.

Because life changes fast.

You only have so many days before your house gets quieter.

But when that time comes, you should be able to walk through your home and see love—to look at a wall and see your people, your memories, your story.

That’s why this work matters.

No business is without challenges. And one of the biggest obstacles I faced was shifting my business model from selling digital files to selling heirloom prints and wall art.

At first, it felt like a huge leap.

Clients were used to getting digital files—they could scroll through them, post them online, keep them on a hard drive. But I knew that digital files weren’t enough.

I wanted my clients to experience something real.

A printed portrait, framed and hanging in their home, reminding them every day of what’s most important.

Making that shift wasn’t easy. It took education, patience, and a lot of trust-building. I had to show clients the value of printed art. I had to make them believe in it as much as I did.

And now?

It was one of the best business decisions I ever made.

Seeing my work displayed in homes, watching families light up when they receive a finished album—it’s proof that the work I do isn’t just photography. It’s legacy.

I’ve always described my style as classic and timeless.

But what does that mean?

I believe in colors that reflect the real world. Deep, vivid skies. Greens that feel alive. Authentic tones that stand the test of time. 

Timeless photography isn’t just about how a photo looks—it’s about how it’s experienced.

It’s about holding an album in your hands, running your fingers across a beautifully framed print, walking through your home and seeing your family’s story on your walls.

In 50 years, I don’t want my clients searching for a lost hard drive. I want them flipping through an heirloom album, showing their grandchildren the life they lived.

Because that’s timeless.

Running a business—especially in the creative industry—takes more than skill. It takes mindset, service, and intention.

What started as a Facebook page in 2018 became a thriving studio in 2020—a business built on:

Timeless Photography

Meaningful client relationships

A passion for preserving memories

This work isn’t just about pictures.

It’s about people. It’s about their stories, their families, their legacy.

And for me? It’s about creating something that will last far beyond my lifetime.