Exploring Life & Business with Diana MacDougall of BigDMac Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana MacDougall.

Hi Diana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a teenager, I always loved being behind the camera, but as the years passed, friends and family started asking me for more serious photos. I switched from film to digital around 2006. One day that year, someone asked me if I would photograph one of the sailboat races that was happening in Marina Del Rey. Naively, I agreed. It was a learning curve, to say the least! As the chase boat I was on would move into a trough, the sailboat going by me in the opposite direction was surfing a swell. Needless to say, it took some time to be able to hold my breath, move with the swells, and capture the vessel sailing past me. With consistent practice, I have been able to perfect the shots the sailors look forward to seeing. As I became more visible in the sail racing world, my name was passed around, and before I knew it, I was being introduced to Jimmy Spithill, the American team skipper for the America’s Cup race! I was fortunate to be on board a chase boat for the international championship event in Bermuda in the summer of 2017. It was thrilling, and I continue to photograph local, regional, national and international sailboat races.

In 2014 I was introduced to the genre of fine art portraiture, and specifically, Boudoir photography. I fell in love with it, and have been able to transform the confidence of many “regular” women (and sometimes men), in the way they see themselves through the lens. I love the whole process of it: from meeting the clients, getting to know their “why” behind the projects, clothes shopping, make up and hair discussions, and then the photo sessions. The time spent with each client definitely pays off in the results of the photos. It’s truly transformational.

The same process is applied to my wedding photography. I literally take the bride though the same questionnaire. We discuss clothing, make up and hair, bridesmaids, and posing. It makes a world of difference. A photographer may be good behind the camera, but if they cannot connect with their clients on a very personal level, it will show on the clients’ faces within the final photos; it’s unavoidable. Plus, after these deep connections are made, I usually end up doing newborn photos for their babies! We become an extended family member to our clients.

In 2019 I stumbled onto the Professional Photographers of America site, encouraged by one of my photography mentors, David Bever. With his encouragement, I completed his year-long photo course, formally learning the technical aspects of photography, as well as improving my creative work, in general. He pushed me to take the national PPA exam, which I did, and passed. Then I took the technical part of the exam. It was tough, and it should be! I learned so much about myself and the formal side of photographing an image. It has changed and improved how I capture an image, and I will always be grateful for Dave’s confidence in me. I am proud to be a PPA Certified Professional Photographer.

I still do sailboat racing and fine art photographs, but I also have extended my business into portraitures, such as head shots used for LinkedIn, website owners, author book cover photos, homeschooling student portraits, corporate headshots and Board of Directors group shots. I carry the mindset of connecting with the people I work with, doing my best to set them at ease and to enjoy the process. That can be awkward for many people, and I like the challenge!

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?
Photography is a field of work that is difficult to advance in. It’s really hard to make a living off of photography. First of all, everyone has a camera these days, proclaiming to be good at photographing. Secondly, people are used to having family or friends photograph them, so it’s hard to convince them that a phone camera, or even a digital camera alone does not make a professional quality image. Bottom line, cell phone images cannot be enlarged without serious pixelation, and without truly knowing how to capture an image with the right triangulation of settings, it’s only a snapshot. Even with my own understanding of these technical settings, through my course work I learned that there is a difference between taking a good photo by accident and making a professional photo on purpose. Thirdly, it’s really important for a photographer to “stand out” from the others. That requires offering something that others do not have. It can be one’s specialty, or the “soft skills” that are not taught in any classroom that makes one stand out. Regardless, if you can combine these skills, you’re bound to do well through word of mouth. Over time, a reputation builds up. It’s being able to last long enough for that day to happen. More than that, regardless of how long it takes to become established, you gotta have fun along the way! Otherwise, its not worth it.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a solo proprietary business owner. I do hire makeup and hair, as well as an assistant and sometimes a second photographer for big events. I shoot on location, but I do handle headshots in my small studio space.. My specialties are sailboat racing photography at the local, regional, national and international levels. These beautiful vessels look majestic on the water as their spinnakers fill up with wind. They make magnificent prints to be displayed at yacht clubs and on the home walls of sailors and crew members.

The other specialty is have is in fine art photography: boudoir and glamour photography. It is an honor to watch an every day woman (or man) transform in confidence as they see the results of these fine art photographs. I love the whole process of it: from meeting the clients, getting to know their “why” behind the projects, clothes shopping, make up and hair discussions, and then the photo sessions. The time spent with each client definitely pays off in the results of the photos. It’s truly transformational.

The same process is applied to my wedding photography. I literally take the bride though the same questionnaire. We discuss clothing, make up and hair, bridesmaids, and posing. It makes a world of difference. A photographer may be good behind the camera, but if they cannot connect with their clients on a very personal level, it will show on the clients’ faces within the final photos; it’s unavoidable. Plus, after these deep connections are made, I usually end up doing newborn photos for their babies! We become an extended family member to our clients.

I think my technical skill set, as well as my individual connection with clients are what set me apart from other photographers. Composition can come easily, but if the technical skill is not there, the photographs will reflect that lack of skill. My brand is about intentional quality in imaging and the positive interactions from beginning to end with each client. I want people to love my images, but I want them to remember the experience as one-of-a kind.

How do you define success?
Success is not in the amount of money I make in photography. I do charge accordingly, for sure. I’m more into quality than quantity. I want to focus on each session, each experience, one at a time, To make that experience the one in the present moment, and have that client feel that attention and presence. I’m a bit of a cheerleader. When an image looks great in my camera, I’m happy to run over and show the client so we can be thrilled together. Ive found this also puts the client more at ease too, to see the pose I coached them into looks as amazing as I promised it would.

Pricing:

• See my website for pricing

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bigdmacphotography.com
• Instagram: bigdmac_photography
• Facebook: Bigdmac Photography

Image Credits
America’s Cup Championships 2017