Rising Stars: Meet Kofi Dodi of Los Angeles/San Francisco

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kofi Dodi.

Hi Kofi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I actually started with photography back in high school. I was the one shooting for the yearbook just capturing classmates, school events, whatever moments felt real. That’s where I first learned how much a single photo could say about a person or a story.

Later, when I went to film school to study cinematography, one of my professors told me that becoming a photographer would make me a better cinematographer. So I picked up my camera again and I haven’t put it down since. Once I started shooting seriously, I realized I loved being able to tell full stories in a single frame.

That passion turned into Dodi Images my way of blending creativity, emotion, and structure. My background as a Marine definitely influences how I work: I’m disciplined about my craft, but I still approach every shoot with curiosity and connection.

I didn’t have a roadmap for any of this. I built my path one shoot, one client, one story at a time. Now I get to help people and brands capture who they really are not just in how they look, but in how they feel.

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. When I first started, I didn’t have a clear roadmap no mentor, no big network, just me figuring things out as I went. There were times I questioned whether I was doing the right thing, especially when money was tight or when shoots didn’t go as planned.

One of the biggest challenges was learning how to run the business side of things pricing, contracts, marketing all while still trying to stay creative. It’s one thing to take great photos, but it’s a whole different skill to turn that into a sustainable career.

I’ve also had to learn balance. When you love what you do, it’s easy to overwork yourself. But over time, I’ve learned to slow down, take care of myself, and build systems that let me grow without burning out.

At the end of the day, every challenge has taught me something how to adapt, how to stay patient, and how to trust the process.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an event and portrait photographer. My work focuses on capturing people in their best light whether that’s a corporate event, a brand activation, or a one on one portrait session. I aim to create images that feel genuine, powerful, and authentic

What sets my work apart is how I balance professionalism with authenticity. I pay attention to the emotion and the details the small, in between moments that often say the most. My portraits are designed to make people look confident and approachable, while my event work tells the full story of the day with energy and clarity.

I’m most proud of how consistent my approach has become. No matter the scale from company-wide conferences to intimate brand shoots my goal is always to help people and businesses belong in the spotlight

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Honestly, a lot of the credit goes to my friends who trusted me early on the ones who let me shoot their photos or videos when I was still figuring things out. They saw potential in me before I really did. That support gave me the confidence to keep going, to keep improving, and to take this seriously as more than just a hobby. Those early opportunities shaped everything that came after.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Dodiimages.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dodiimages_?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/digitalsymph?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr