Meet Destini Brown of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Destini Brown.

Hi Destini, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I was completely focused on becoming a professional singer. I dreamed of signing a deal, songwriting, traveling the world performing music, and for a long time, that was the only path I saw for myself.
That changed everything when I got to college and unexpectedly found my true passion for photography—thanks to my mentor and now
brother, Darius L. Carter.
I met Darius through a family connection at a friend’s event where he was the photographer. On a whim, I asked, “Can I come shadow you on a shoot?” and his simple “yes” changed everything.

Up until that point, photography had just been a hobby. I had an interest in capturing nature, sunsets, and beautiful views, but once I started learning from my mentor he expanded my horizon, showing me how to capture people, use strobe light and more. Those moments opened my eyes to how far it could actually take me. After working with Darius and seeing what was possible, I fell in love with photography. I started dedicating all my time to learning, practicing, and improving. I started shooting seriously and never looked back.
Over time, those efforts opened doors. I was blessed to be invited on sets, work on music videos, shoot with artists, and do creative photo sessions that challenged and inspired me. Each experience gave me more confidence, more skill, and a clearer sense of purpose.
Today, I’m still growing, still creating, and still building on that first step I took when I asked to shadow my mentor. All of those experiences gave me the confidence and real-world knowledge to grow as both a photographer and an entrepreneur, so much so my husband and I are now studio owners of “ThaCreative Studios”. We wanted to create a space for creatives to create their own vision through tv shows, music videos, brands, photoshoots, etc. and that journey is still unfolding, taking me further every day.
Photography became more than a passion—it became part of my purpose.
I never imagined I’d be where I am today, pursuing photography ( DnsCaptures ) and entrepreneurship full-time.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but honestly, isn’t that just life? It’s a real rollercoaster, full of highs and lows. While I was fortunate to have a mentor and access to resources that helped me avoid starting completely from scratch, that didn’t mean I was exempt from struggle. I still faced plenty of challenges, but I had people I could lean on—people I could ask for advice and gain wisdom from, especially when it came to the business side of things. Whether it was learning how to put proper contracts in place or building the skills I needed to actually reach my goals, that guidance made a big difference.

Being an entrepreneur is no easy path. It’s a huge shift to go from the stability of a 9–5 job—knowing you’ll get a paycheck every month, to a life where you don’t always know where your next client is coming from. That uncertainty can create a scarcity mindset and make you question everything: “Did I make the right choice? Should I have just stayed at my job? Should I even chase my dreams?”

But that’s where my faith plays a huge role. Trusting in God has carried me through those moments when I felt like I had nothing else to lean on. My faith gave me the strength to keep going, even when things felt unclear or overwhelming. God would hear my prayers and give me confirmation to keep going. Wether it was through a opportunity, a feeling, a friend or my husband confirming what I’d pray about in my alone time. Also, being surrounded by other creatives going through similar experiences has helped me realize that I’m not alone. Hearing their stories, struggles, and victories has reminded me that the road may be tough, but it’s also worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a professional photographer specializing in events, beauty and fashion photography. My work is rooted in capturing people in their most authentic light, whether that’s during a major concert, a fashion shoot, or a personal branding session. I aim to create images that tell real stories and reflect real emotion.

One thing I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come. Every now and then, I think back to when I first started—how hungry I was to learn, grow, and to be the best I could be. That hunger never left me. I’ve always stayed a student of the craft, constantly learning and evolving, not to impress anyone else, but to challenge myself and honor the dream I’m pursuing.

Some of the opportunities I’ve had along the way still feel surreal—like going on tour with Coco Jones as her official photographer and videographer for her first tour, What I Didn’t Tell You. That was a dream come true. Other moments like clients have flying me out for shoots things and me getting to travel to different places for work are things I used to pray for, and have on my vision board hoping to one day fufill. Pursuing my passion full-time is something I don’t take for granted, especially knowing that not everyone gets the chance to, due to life circumstances or fear. Being able to choose this path, and walk it boldly, has been one of the biggest blessings of my life.

What makes me especially proud is being able to bring others along on this journey. Whether it’s helping family and friends—shoutout to Beauty Haus Hair, ThaCreatorrr, K Free Styles, and more—get in position to share their talents with brands, or connecting other clients to major platforms, it’s truly a blessing. I’m grateful to play a part in creating space for others to shine—and to get them paid while doing it. I understand that my “yes” isn’t just for me; it’s part of something much bigger.

What sets me apart is my personality and authenticity. I’m goofy, passionate, and grounded. I don’t chase status. In an industry where some people are focused on shooting the biggest names and working with top-tier brands sometimes at the expense of integrity, I stay true to myself. Whether I’m photographing a celebrity or someone working a 9–5, I show up with the same energy and intention: to create my best work and make people feel seen.

I believe in staying authentic, not gatekeeping, and not stepping on others to get ahead. What’s meant for me is mine—and I don’t have to compromise who I am to receive it. I’m just getting started, and I’m excited for what’s next.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories would definitely be the summer I went to camp for a week. It was one of those classic camps with themed weeks, where you’d bring your sleeping bag, pack clothes for all kinds of activities, and just dive into nature. No phones were allowed—just pure, uninterrupted fun. We spent our days doing beach activities, arts and crafts, hiking, singing endless camp songs, and just being kids.

What I loved most was how present we all were. Without phones or clocks, we didn’t even know what time it was most of the day. That experience really allowed me to disconnect and just enjoy the moment, something that feels rare now. Waking up to wild camp routines, meeting new people, and being surrounded by nature created a kind of freedom that stuck with me. It helped shape my independence and taught me how to be comfortable away from home, handling things on my own even at a young age.

Looking back, those were the good ole days, before the weight of school, responsibilities, and adulthood. Just pure joy, exploration, and being in the moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dnscaptures.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dnscaptures/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063468014125
• Other: https://www.peerspace.com/pages/listings/60a9c947c9cc7a000c8ec8d3

Image Credits
Studio Images –
Brian Freeman
Darnell Brown/ @Thacreatorrr

DnsCaptures Photography