Introduction: Hello! I am Diona, dee-OH-nə /diˈoʊnə/, and I’m so excited that you’re here! I’m wife to Chris, who can be found here, and mom to an awesome 6-year-old, GG.
I fell in love with photography at five years old.
I like to say that photography chose me and not the other way around. I still remember the joy that it gave me when I was very young and my mom would hand me her camera to take a picture. I got my first camera when I was still in the single digits and I will always remember it! However, my true camera is in my head. I see the images before I place the viewfinder up to my eye to take that shot. I always have. I cannot express the thrill of bringing those images to life, not just for me, but for everyone to see. Physically seeing the image that you envisioned – the colors, the emotions, the faces of the people staring back at you, it’s amazing and I wouldn’t trade what I do for anything!
I am a Christ Follower; I survive on prayer & coffee.
I grew up in a Pentecostal church that my great-grandmother helped build. I fully believe in a relationship over religion. Mutual respect is a thing more people should practice when it comes to religious beliefs in my opinion! The coffee thing, weeell, I’m pretty much in love with coffee.
Traveling is in my blood – I have a gypsy soul.
I love traveling – car or plane, either way, I’m in! If I had it my way I’d go somewhere new every few months! Staying home all the time just gets boring! I love having a change of scenery!! Traveling is one of my top five favorite pastimes, so if you aren’t nearby you should still hit me up – I have a whole bucket list of places I want to photograph at!
My longest ongoing relationship is with books.
Yup, that’s right, books and I have been together for over 30 years! I was made fun of throughout school because I always had my nose in a book. I’d finish a test early, read a book, finish my work, read a book, do my homework, read a book, you get the picture! Some nights I wouldn’t even sleep because I was reading.
Southern-born & raised with some west coast living.
I was born in Southeastern Georgia and I lived there for 18 years. At 18 I moved to central California where I lived for three years before moving back to Georgia. I moved to Northeastern Florida in 2010 and I’m still here.
Heat and humidity aren’t for me, give me northern summers.
My in-laws have a cabin in North Carolina, my parents have a second home in mid-northern Alabama, we have family in Tennessee and New York and I have a best friend in Wisconsin. Summers are filled with visiting them all whenever possible and sometimes making a trip back out to central and northern California. The weather during the summer is better almost anywhere away from the south, at least for me and mine!
I shoot most sessions outdoors, because – sunlight.
It’s my favorite type of light, need I say more!?!
Let’s go grab a coffee and chat – in person while social distancing or on zoom !! Let’s set up a photo session built around you!
