Introduction

Today’s blog will be featuring another part of my photography journey that I don’t really showcase as much as I should. I’ve been in a photography mentorship with a young photographer for 7 months now and it has been the most fulfilling and rewarding experience in my career. Not many people realize that when you are teaching and guiding other people, you are also learning and growing with them. As you read this blog, you will see just how much this mentorship has shaped the both of us.

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Why I Chose Photography Mentorship

I took a long hiatus from photography after my surgery in 2024 and honestly had no plans to start booking sessions anytime soon. I had no motivation to get back into photography. I felt like I lost so much time while I was recovering and thought that there was no point in trying to build up my business, just to have my condition knock it back down.

I remember hearing that Kadi wanted to build her portrait portfolio as a passion project for college applications and it sparked something in me. That night, I posted that I was booking holiday sessions so that I can propose the idea that she tag along to shadow me. I got really excited because that meant I got to guide her through her photography journey.

When I started Studio Dessy, I didn’t really know what I was doing or had anyone to give me advice on how to run a portrait photography business. I am so glad I am able to provide her with the guidance I needed and wanted so bad when I was in her shoes. This way, I am able to make sure she doesn’t make the same mistakes that I made and show her what I learned from them.

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Meet My Mentee

*Drum roll, please*

I would love for everyone to meet my very talented mentee, Kadi. She started to fall in love with photography as a member of her Intermediate school’s yearbook crew. During her time there, she learned about composition and how photography can tell a story. She was given her first camera that Christmas and started taking photos any time she had the chance.

Kadi feels the most connected with portrait and lifestyle photography. She enjoys doing one-on-one sessions because she gets to create connections with her clients. She says “it’s such a special way to connect with others and get a small glimpse into their lives.” However, she does adore doing couple and family portraits because she loves being able to capture their special moments. 

“I’m a big sucker for family photos because even if they can get chaotic at times, they are still so fun and you get that natural kind of glow from the family”

She describes her style as natural, warm, and true-to-color. Kadi grew up on Oahu and says she “always saw it as warm, sunny, and welcoming, and I try to represent that in my photos.” When we started this journey, Kadi said that her style was all over the place but as she worked more on her photography skills and gained more experience, her style completely shifted. She feels like her current style definitely represents her more as a photographer and as a person.

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The Mentorship Journey

Kadi would come with me to sessions a couple times a month. I remember on the way to one of the first sessions she did with me, she was freaking out in the back seat with major imposter syndrome. She was worried about the client thinking she’s not good enough because she’s too young or has no experience. She was letting her anxiety overwhelm her. It was a very familiar feeling because if we are being completely honest, I still suffer from imposter syndrome and have panic attacks before my sessions. But I have learned to tell myself that the photos I take will speak for themselves, and that is exactly what I told Kadi to reassure her. No one is going to care about how young you are or anything other than the experience and photos you give to your clients.

It took me a while to realize the importance of knowing your value and how to make sure that your clients feel like they are receiving that value. I made sure to emphasize that with Kadi so that she never sells herself short. I really wanted to build her confidence because I know she’s talented but she needs to believe it herself so that she is able to deliver the best photoshoot experience possible. 

She was very shy and quiet at the first few photoshoots, which is very normal. I explained to her that I am an introvert through and through but when I am with clients I have a different persona. Once I have that camera in my hand, I am no longer Destynee, I am Dessy from Studio Dessy. Because of that mindset, I am able to come out of my shell and exude this confidence that I don’t normally have in my everyday life. I gave her that same pep talk on the way to every shoot until I didn’t have to. I remember when I started seeing her confidence come out and watched it grow every time after that. I remember the exact shoot where I said “Oh, she doesn’t need me anymore!” It was a senior portraits shoot and she took over prompting the client. I could tell by the volume and sureness in her voice that she was ready.

Shortly after that, Kadi messaged me and said that she was ready to start taking sessions on her own. I was so excited for her. I remember celebrating when she booked her first session. 

“And it was nerve wracking. However, during the shoot I’ve never had more fun. I trusted myself. I made sure to make the most of my hour, and I did just that. It gave me such a confidence boost. And seeing my client use my photos at her graduation made me so happy. That I finally made it. That my work was good enough.”

After that, when Kadi would tag along to my sessions, I could tell she was more comfortable and relaxed. She says she was able to see the fun side of these sessions and not just a job that needed to get done. She was able to see the way I was laughing and connecting with my clients not only made the experience more enjoyable but they received better photos because of it. 

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What Photography Mentorship Taught Me

Mentoring Kadi has taught me that it is important to always be open to learning new things because you can always get better, no matter how good you think you already are. It has taught me that you need to push yourself past your comfort zone especially when you are scared of what is outside of your safe space. If you are content with where you are at, then you should be scared, because at that point you are no longer growing as an individual. 

She has also taught me to look at things from different angles and perspectives. Whenever I receive the photos she took to deliver to the client, I am always in awe. Seeing what she sees through her lens. We were in the same moment but were able to capture two completely different photographs.

Working with her reminds me of why I do what I do. Watching her get excited when she gets the shot that she was planning in her head, seeing her creative gears go into hyperdrive, is so amazing to experience in-person. It reminds me of the joy of visualizing and creating art, something that I always want to have with every session. 

It is so fulfilling to pass on the knowledge that I gained to someone as special as Kadi. However, I feel like Kadi is not the only one who has learned and grown in this photography mentorship. I have been growing as a photographer and a person because of her.

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Our Favorite Moments Together

My favorite session with Kadi was definitely the first maternity shoot she booked on her own. I tagged along as a second shooter that day. Being able to watch her take the lead and use everything that I taught her was one of the best feelings. During that shoot, I did not feel like I was working with Kadi, my mentee. I felt like I was working with a peer photographer that has been doing photography for a while. There were no signs of nerves or anxiety like she did when we were on the way to one of our first shoots together. This was a whole different photographer, and I couldn’t help but feel proud of her.

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Looking Ahead

I am beyond excited to see Kadi continue to grow in every single aspect of her life.

To Kadi, I hope that you are able to take everything that I taught you about photography and are able to use it in your everyday life. I already know that you will receive everything that you desire in life because you are the hardest worker I have ever met. You are my little sister (even though you are taller than me) and I am so grateful that we were able to grow closer together from this shared love for photography. And I hope you know that I am here for you whether it is photography related, questions about life, or if you just want to talk about random things.

I hope to continue mentoring others in the future, not just to share what I’ve learned, but to create a space where other photographers feel seen, supported, and capable of chasing their dreams. Guiding someone through the parts of the journey I once struggled through myself has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. It’s a reminder that growth is never a solo path, and that we rise by lifting others.

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Final Thoughts

If it weren’t for Kadi, Studio Dessy could have been another hobby that I tried and tossed to the side when I lost motivation. I also would not have grown into the photographer I am today without her. I’m forever grateful to have her be such a big part of my photography journey, just as much as I’ve been a part of hers. It’s been the most fulfilling experience, watching her grow, cheering her on, and seeing her confidence build with every step. She reminds me so much of where I started, and mentoring her has honestly helped me grow, too. Being able to pour into someone the way I wish someone had poured into me…it’s something I’ll never take for granted.

If there’s one thing this photography mentorship has taught me, it’s the power of community. Whether you’re a few steps ahead or just starting out, there’s so much value in showing up for each other. Don’t be afraid to pour into someone else, to offer support, or to ask for it when you need it. Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal, it can look like honest conversations, sharing what you’ve learned, or simply believing in someone before they believe in themselves. We grow so much more when we grow together.

Watching Kadi step into her voice as a photographer has been such a beautiful thing to witness, and I’m so proud of everything she’s creating. Her growth, her eye for storytelling, and the heart she puts into her work deserve to be seen and celebrated.

If you want to follow along on her journey, you can find her over on Instagram @capturedby.kadi. I know she’s just getting started, and I can’t wait to see where this path continues to take her. Go show her some love. You’ll be inspired, I promise.

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Full Q&A with Kadi

Can you share how you got started in photography and what drew you to it in the first place?

“I was apart of my intermediate school’s yearbook and kind of fell in love there. We started to learn about composition and how photography can tell a story and I fell in love there. My mom got me my first camera that christmas where I first started to use it for my Church and just for fun before i got more serious with it.”

What kinds of sessions or subjects do you feel most connected to, and why?

“The sessions I feel most connected with are portraits and lifestyle. I love doing solo shots; whether it be grad photos, maternity, or even headshots,  because of the one on one connections I get with clients. I feel it’s such a special way to connect with others and get a small glimpse into their life. Also, I adore couple and family photos. I love being a small part in the beginning or middle or whatever part of a family’s life to help capture the special moments. I’m a big sucker for family photos, because even if they can get chaotic at times, they are still so much fun and you get that natural kind of glow from the family.”

How would you describe your style and how it’s evolved since you first picked up a camera?

“I would describe my style as natural and warm. I tend to capture true-to-color photos, where the Earth’s and subjects’ natural beauty shine through. Also, I tend to lean on the warmer side as well. Growing up in Hawaii, I’ve always seen it as a warm, sunny, and welcoming place, and I try to represent that in my photos. It’s evolved completely since my start. In the beginning I really didn’t know what my style was. It was all over the place and kind of stayed on the cooler, more muted side. However, and I worked more on my skills and did more work I completely shifted to where I am today, because I realized that’s what represents me more as a person as well.”

What were you struggling with most before our mentorship began?

“The thing I was struggling with most was my style, funny enough, and making the most of a shoot. First was my style. As I explained earlier, I didn’t really know what I was doing, but when I started to work with Destynee, I saw something that inspired me and something I take into my own art everyday. Another thing was making the most out of my work. I struggled with making the hour long shoot last. I used to rush through and move through everything at a fast pace, and by the time I finished all the poses I had planned it wouldn’t even have been 45 minutes. But as I got more comfortable during shoots, and as I continued to work with Destynee, I was able to slow myself down and take my time during shoots. I figured out how to work  with my subject and the environment to really make the most out of my work to produce the best quality results I can make.”

Can you describe a moment during our time together that really clicked for you or helped shift your mindset?

“The moment that really clicked for me was our second shoot together. It was with Destynee’s cousin for her photos with her family. That session was so light hearted, easy-going and fun. That shoot helped me see what this job really means for me. I got to see Destynee work in her element and get me comfortable in it too. That shoot helped me put value in my work and put value in what I love to do. She kind of pushed me out of my comfort zone to be able to work with others I don’t really know. She helped me get comfortable with my photography and skills.” 

What have you learned from this photography mentorship that you wish you had known earlier in your photography journey?

“In all honesty, there isn’t anything I wished I knew. Every little detail, every small experience has helped in changing who I am as a photographer completely. If I had to do it all over again I would, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

How has your confidence changed since we started working together?

“It’s changed completely. I was self conscious, anxious, and a full blown nervous wreck. I remember car rides leading up to the shoot. I was telling myself all these negative things that would really drag me down. I would be like “What if they realize I’m just a teenager and think I’m not good enough anymore?” “What if they are just taking pity on me?” And so many other self degrading things. However as I continue to work with Destynee, she’s helped me realize the value of my work. She’s helped me get more comfortable with my work and understand that my photos speak for themselves. I’ve been able to see that no matter what, I am a photographer first, and that’s all the clients might see and no matter my age or my experience, the quality of my photography is what matters. I know my work is good, and I know they matter.”

What’s something you’ve accomplished recently that you’re really proud of?

“It might not be recently but it’s the thing that matters most to me. I did a girl’s senior photos a while back. That was the first session I ever did by myself. Contacting the client, setting everything up, and into the shoot itself. Of course, I consulted with Destynee on literally every little thing, but still, when the day came to the shoot I was by myself. And it was nerve wracking. However, during the shoot I’ve never had more fun. I trusted myself. I made sure to make the most of my hour, and I did just that. It gave me such a confidence boost. And seeing my client use my photos at her graduation made me so happy. That I finally made it. That my work was good enough.”

How has mentorship impacted the way you work with clients or approach shoots?

“Being mentored has helped me see the fun side of the shoots. I always thought of them as just a job. As something to help me get into college, to pay for my boba after school. But working with Destynee has helped me find the fun. It helped me get comfortable in the days leading up to the shoot. I get to laugh and relax. I get to understand my clients and who they are as people. I get to capture a glimpse of a forever moment that I know that their families will look back on for a long time. It helps me know that what I am doing matters and is meaningful.”

How has mentorship helped you in your everyday life?

“This mentorship has helped me manage time so much better. With photography, I’ve had to learn how to spread out the very time consuming schedule that is the job. I’ve had to limit myself on how long I spend on each pose, how many photos I take, how long I spend editing the photos, etc. It’s helped me understand the importance of every little step to not sacrifice one in favor of another. This translates to how I handle my school work, my day to day tasks, how I handle stress, everything. It’s helped me understand that I don’t need to do everything all at once, and that it’s important to step back and regroup to assure my best foot is forward.”

Has there been anything surprising or unexpected that you’ve learned—not just about photography, but about yourself?

“Something surprising I’ve learned about myself is that I love to talk to people now. I’m not too sure if it somehow stems from photography or just how I’ve grown up and matured as a person, but I like to think of myself as a social butterfly. I love getting to know people and just talk and socialize. Which in all honesty is kind of a complete 180 who I used to be a year ago.”

How would you describe our relationship—beyond just mentor/mentee?

“Well of course beyond the fact that you are dating my cousin, I truly look up to you. You help me out with so many of my icky situations I get myself into. I view you as a sister in a quick way to sum it up. You’re a role model to me in not only photography but who I want to be as an adult one day. I’m honored you chose me to mentor and take under your wing. You make my life a little less stressful knowing one day, you were just like me, and it gives me peace knowing one day hopefully I’ll be like you.”

What’s something you’ve seen me do or say that has inspired or challenged you?

“Well in all honesty, even though I just said I’ve gotten better with public speaking. Something I’ve seen you do that inspired me is how networking comes so easily for you. I understand that networking is a huge key in this line of work and I struggle still with the whole “I’m not good enough” mindset sometimes but that’s how you started. You didn’t really have someone to mentor you, you had to do the work and talk to others and get your name out there yourself . That’s something I still work towards every single day, It pushed me further and further outside of my comfort zone.”

Do you feel like our time together has shaped your goals for the future?

“I’d like to believe it’s helped to shape my future goals. I never really thought about being truly commuted to photography until I started to be mentored by you. I always viewed it as a hobby or just something to get me into a good college but now? Now I see it as a passion. I love photography more and more each day and a goal of mine is to contrite to grow as a photographer. To get comfortable enough and produce amazing quality photos to one day be a wedding photographer.”

What are you most excited to create next?

“I’m most excited to start experimenting with different concepts. I have a bunch of creative friends who support me in my photography journey here and there, and I want to expand on the more artsy side of it. I want to experiment with composition, with weird environment settings, with weather, with props. I want to expand on more of the creative side of photography and really push my artistic output.”

If you could give advice to another new photographer just starting out, what would it be?

“If I could give advice to another new photographer just starting out I would say, say yes to everything. You never really know what you really enjoy, what your limits are, what you’re comfortable with until you do it. Someone asks, “Can you shoot my maternity photos?” yes. “Can you take pictures for my birthday?” yes. “Heyyy can you shoot these for my new swimwear brand?” yes. No matter what, say yes. It will not only get you familiar with your work but also get your name out there.”

In one word or sentence, how would you sum up your mentorship experience?

“If I could sum up my mentorship in a couple words, I’d say uplifting and enlightening.”