Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Janicki.
Dana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My love for art started many decades ago when I was a young child. I either always coloring, drawing or making some type of art. As I got older my love for photography started. Being an only child for many years you always had someone with a camera in your face.
In the 90’s I was on TV for after school programs on Fox 32 and I also did a commercial and was interviewed by Fox for always eating oatmeal. I started modeling and going to TV auditions in the late 90’s and in high school I started taking photography and post production classes. That’s when I feel deeply in love with being behind the camera.
As the years went thru I study photography in college and graphic design.
In early 2000 I started taking pictures of events in Boys town’s and some of my pictures were published in the club magazines. I had moved to California in early 2012 to chase my dream working in talent agencies and becoming a model again. I did land a freelance gig helping to find talent and taking them to auditions. When I came back to Chicago in 2013 I focused on started film school with The Los Angeles Film school online division to receive my Bachelor of Science Degree Digital Filmmaking.
Starting there is where starting my own legit studio that leaves the door open to working with many different types of artist. It’s called “Pics By D Studios” because almost every type of art you turns into a picture of some sort. I couldn’t be just any type of “freelance Photographer” I had to make company as legit as it can get because eventually I would like to have a store front or a huge warehouse space so artist can have space to work.
As a small business owner, the only way to grow your business is to get out there and network to meet people. I joined the Joliet Chamber of Commerce and also worked with Easterseals of Joliet for pictures to be taken for the yearly telethon. In my line of work it’s networking and getting yourself out there.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Life it’s self isn’t smooth road there will always be challenges on the way.
My biggest struggles is always staying within fair prices with other franchise studios and other freelance photographers. Any photographer can offer the same quality of picture taking as JcPenny’s, Picture People etc. But it’s the customer service and the love you put out for your work that shines thru the pictures and the people you work with.
Please tell us about Pics By D Studios.
My studio we specialize in taking pictures of older children, special needs children, adults and events and products. I am known for my time and patience with each client that I see. I don’t get in any type of hurry and I won’t over book myself. I like to make sure I give the best quality of service to my clients that I would expect if I had booked a private photographer.
I am most proud of my company for how it’s branching out to other types of artist to help them get more work. I have stepped into the Boudoir side of photography and making woman feel better about themselves thru pampering themselves with hair and makeup and time alone with a photographer that knows how to shine thru the camera.
What makes my work different from others is that we are a giving company. I refuse to charge you hundreds to thousands of dollars to come take your picture and then to only give you 10 images back. It doesn’t take long to edit pictures and make them either black and white or do different things to them. It’s usually all done in the same software and only a couple of clicks.
I will never up charge any clients and I am extremely fair pricing and will always stay the cheapest. I care about their experiences they have with working with me and the other artist. I want them to come back and give us good reviews.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I didn’t rush into this company or started it off the fly. I wrote up my full business plan down to every dollar it will cost me to buy my equipment and I slowly made it a legit with business licenses and claiming my company name. I don’t rush into anything especially something I am putting my name on.
Pricing:
- Business Headshots are $60.00 for 1 hour of camera time
- Actor Headshots are $150.00 for 2 hours of camera time
- Boudoir packages run from $150.00 to $400.00
Contact Info:
- Address: Romeoville, IL 60446
- Website: https://www.picsbydstudio.com/book-online
- Phone: 815-517-4487
- Email: picsbydstudio@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PicsbyDStudios
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pics-by-d-studio-romeoville-3
- Other: https://www.studiosboudoir.com/
Image Credit:
Hairstylist: Amanda DeSantis
Makeup Artist: Jennifer Hudson
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
