hi, {{ subscriber.firstName | default('there') }}! I won't start this off with "I hope this finds you well." actually, even at work, I threw that line out a few weeks in to the pandemic. beyond being "well," (whatever that means?) my greatest hope is that you're feeling all the feelings that you need to right now – as complex and ever-changing as they are moment to moment.

yesterday, I was tagged by my friend (hi, @ricejenna!!) to take part in the #howareyoureallychallenge being championed by our badass leader here in NYS, Govenor Andrew Cuomo. I love that it addresses mental health head on, asking people to go beyond the cursory "I'm good, you?" response we're so accustomed to spitting out. in reality, none of us are used to navigating so many unknowns – our day-to-day lives have been completely flipped upside down which means that open, vulnerable dialogue is critical to our coping process.

so, how am I really? above all, I'm grateful for my health and the well-being of people close to me, like my 83-year old nana, my aunt who's running an ER in Baltimore and an immunocompromised friend who already caught and fought off the virus in Queens. but beyond gratitude, there are certainly days when I sink low into the sadness. friday night was one of those times, spurred by news from a dear friend that one of favorite soho spots, Lucky Strike, has closed its doors permanently after thirty years in business.

immediately, I got nostalgic about the times I'd been to Lucky Strike for happy hour with friends (shoutout to my ride or dies, Daniela and Brennan, both pictured above!) or as a stop on a marathon date (this explains the blurry martini picture...) and this update felt like the universe telling me, "HEY, REMEMBER ALL OF THAT FUN YOU USED TO HAVE? WELL, IT'S OVER." cue: downward spiral. how could a downtown institution where you could barely get a table a couple months back just vanish? what the city will look like when I get back? not to mention, how long until offices, restaurants and entertainment venues are back open so that I have reason to go back? when will the jobs so many of my friends have temporarily lost return? what will the travel industry look like by the end of summer? the list goes on, and on, and on...

but, if there's anything I've learned over the past year of cognitive behavioral therapy to combat anxiety, it's that we just because we think something doesn't mean it's true. in this case, removing the 62 different versions of "what if" and instead shifting to the present moment where we refocus on what we know for sure is critical. we know that this will end. we know that life is going to look different on the other side, but, there is a silver lining. I'm in the camp that believes we are reshaping what our priorities look like on that other side in this very moment. I belief this pause is a gift. so, today, I challenge you to first ask yourself, "how am I really doing?" feel the feels, but then, bring yourself back on two feet and remember, there are sunnier days ahead (literally).

I couldn’t be more thrilled to kick off these weekly spotlights with my friend, Diana Davis. beyond being a brilliant photographer, she is a connector to her core – when I think about what community means, this woman embodies it in every part of her life and business. as the one woman show behind Diana Davis Creative, this creative photographer and graphic designer is known not just for creating vibrant photos, but for bringing inspiration and fearlessness to the process.
 

KD: tell me more about your transition from montana to new york city. did you come with a job set up?

DD: I moved to the city with four months of savings and no job lined up. right away, I started networking like crazy. back then, it wasn't so much sliding into someone's Instagram DMs as it was sending them a LinkedIn message. of the of the hundreds of people I reached out to whose career trajectories intrigued me, I would say 20% connected with me. of that portion, another 20% were open to setting up coffee. but I didn't let it discourage me. you need to tell people about your story but genuinely want to hear about theirs – it just takes one person to see something in you. that's it.

you ended up landing a job at Time Inc., one of the world's most influential brands. why did you leave?

in the corporate world, I constantly felt hungry for a bigger challenge and greater spontaneity. I especially love food and wellness photography, but my capabilities don’t fit in a neat box. I have a range of photography and graphic design experience across all industries, bringing positivity to every story told. I felt called to support the side-hustlers, solopreneurs, boss babes, and brand builders of the world. I’m not just a face behind the camera—I’m a partner and cheerleader you can know and trust.

how have you altered your routine since going into quarantine?

I had such a hard time with routine before the pandemic because I'm all over the place with my schedule – I'm the most gemini gemini ever. some days, I'd have five back-to-back shoots and other days not so much, but I never tried to control that. so, this has been the first time I've actually dug into my routine. I've been working with a business coach since february and it's been a gamechanger.

Emily Merrell, the founder of Six Degrees Society, is my coach and she's totally transformed the way I approach my day. she's able to get me out of my head. we've been working on routine and calendar management so one of the things I've implemented is setting a work block from 10a-3p where no calls can be scheduled. I've also come to realize that when I can do a slow morning, it's so much better for my day. I've been trying to get up earlier and really leaned into meditation.

ah, I can't get into meditation! tell me your secrets.

it's one of those things that you have to acquire a taste for. I actually compare it to wine – my palette could not handle wine for the longest time. it was just like that for me with meditation. I kept trying it until finally, it hit right. guided meditation makes all the difference – Insight timer is cool, but I'm really loving the collaboration between Deepak Chopra and Oprah. they put out a 21-day free mediation on his app which intros with Oprah talking and it's just produced so well. I recommend to get cross-legged, burn your palo santo and just get into it. you repeat a mantra which sounds weird, but there's something soothing about the music and their voices just does it for me – I've never sunk lower into mediation than this. you have to keep trying it!

tegyyou've been a resource for me in times when I've needed advice on how to approach a project, and I know so many other women in the creative space have reached out to you for guidance, too. you recently saw a need to launch these strategy sessions as a part of your business. can you tell me more about this new part of Diana Davis Creative?

yes! so while I'm a photographer and graphic designer by trade, I consider myself an entrepreneur above all. and I know what others who are in the thick of growing their own businesses are up against, because I've been through it first-hand. I've also always made myself open to giving advice, so organically, women have been approaching me to provide guidance on all sorts of topics ranging from how to price their offerings to how to put themselves out there on Instagram and grow their client base.

one of the ironies of the pandemic is that I was supposed to be traveling full-time right now, but instead, found myself quarantined in the Upper East Side. so, I've been able to lean into this new consulting part of my business that may not have otherwise launched. we start with a free 20-minute discovery call to chat through challenges, and then, if it's the right fit on both sides, we can arrange deep dive sessions – either 90 minutes at a time or a 3 pack of 60-minutes. these can include digging into website and Instagram strategy, client acquisition, resources including accounting and CRM advice, pricing services...really, nothing is off limits and it's totally customizable! sometimes, you just need a second set of eyes to say, "this would be more clear if..." and tighten up strategy together.

as someone who credits what they've built to community, how do you recommend starting from ground zero?

this is something I've been talking to so many women about through my discovery calls. many people struggle to put themselves out there, so I suggest building outwards with digital networking. one of my friends, Shanna Tyler, just relaunched her Self Soul Sport community virtually, making it available to anyone interested in leaning into self-love, movement and connection. I also mentioned Six Degrees Society earlier, where I've met some really badass women. ultimately, you just need to invest time in places where you find like-minded people and approach the spaces with a genuine desire to put in just as much as you're looking to get out of it.

what's your go-to when you need inspiration to get out of a creative rut?

go for a walk, cook something, just step away. go do something that brings you joy – do something that the human before the business would have done. and if it's self-doubt that's creeping up, you have to return to a place of trusting in yourself. as your own boss, you don't have anyone telling you if something's good or bad or right or wrong, or event that you're doing well. you have to find that validation within. as I heard in a course I'm taking right now, "new goals, new levels." it's all about mindset. and when you hit a block or you're having a tough time, leaning into community does it for me everytime. having a cheerleading section is so important.