How My Love of Photography Started: From America’s Next Top Model to Wedding Photography
Let me take you back to the early 2000s, when a young Dannie was doing her best to be artistic and creative — mainly by making collage “masterpieces” out of torn-up Vogue magazines. It was around that time that I stumbled across America’s Next Top Model, and honestly? I was OBSESSED.
From the very first episode, I was hooked. Those dramatic, larger-than-life photoshoots with Tyra Banks and the models dangling from skyscrapers or submerged underwater in tanks were pure magic to me. What captivated me most, though, wasn’t the models or the drama behind the scenes — it was the photographer. The person behind the lens, directing the chaos and creating beauty out of it. That’s when the seed was planted. I dreamed of being the one holding the camera, bringing those bold, creative visions to life.
My First Camera: The Spark That Started It All
As a teenager, my grandad gave me an old Yashica camera. It wasn’t fancy, but it became my favourite thing in the world. I’d wander around capturing snippets of everyday life — light falling across the sea, my friends laughing, and all the little moments that often go unnoticed. Eventually, I upgraded to a hot-pink Fujifilm compact camera that came everywhere with me (yes, including every single night out — the evidence still exists somewhere on Facebook).
But as I turned sixteen, life shifted. I started working full-time in admin, and my creative dreams took a backseat. Photography was still in my heart, but it became one of those “maybe one day” dreams.
Returning to My Creative Roots
Fast forward a few years (and two wonderful children later), and something inside me started to stir again. I’d spent years doing what was practical — but I missed creating. When the time came to return to university, I made a last-minute, gut-driven decision to study something I was passionate about. I’d originally planned to study English, but my heart pulled me back toward creativity.
So, I took a leap of faith and chose photography. It was a big decision, and it completely changed my life. For the first time in years, I felt like I was doing something that truly lit me up inside.
Falling in Love with Wedding Photography
University reignited my love for storytelling and helped me realise what I’d always wanted to do — capture real people and real emotions. Photography wasn’t just about creating beautiful images; it was about connection, authenticity, and storytelling.
When I discovered wedding photography, everything clicked. It was the perfect blend of art, emotion, and narrative. Every wedding day is its own story — full of laughter, tears, nerves, joy, and a whole lot of love. I get to document the candid, beautiful chaos of it all: the stolen glances, the emotional speeches, the ridiculous dance moves, and yes — the gorgeous gowns and stunning florals that make my heart so happy.
Every couple I photograph reminds me exactly why I took that leap into the unknown. Because for me, being a wedding photographer isn’t just about taking photos — it’s about capturing the soul of the day. The little moments you might not even realise are happening until you look back and feel them all over again.
From Dreaming to Doing
Looking back, I can see how everything — from America’s Next Top Model to that little pink camera — led me here. Today, as the founder of Blotted Ink Photography, I get to do what I love every single day: capture vibrant, fun, and candid moments for couples across Devon and beyond.
If you’d told teenage me that one day I’d be photographing real-life love stories instead of daydreaming about high-fashion shoots, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But I’m so glad I followed that spark — because it led me to the most rewarding career I could ever imagine.
