producing the perfect photoshoot
the daughter of dallas approach
I’ll be the first to admit: I’m super awkward in front of a camera – model material, I am not. But putting together an impactful photoshoot for Daughter of Dallas isn’t about me posing effortlessly. It’s about spotlighting the larger mission: uncovering, amplifying, and archiving the stories of Black art and activism in Dallas. Fashion is one dynamic way to do that – especially when it’s infused with the city’s innovative maximalist style. We’re here to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and radical spirit of Black Dallasites and others who’ve been erased from the dominant narrative. Thus, these images aren’t just “cute looks”; they’re part of a living archive of Dallas’s hidden stories.
Over the years, I’ve developed a four-stage process to produce the perfect photoshoot, utilizing visual storytelling to bring a mission to life.
1. The Template Stage
For Daughter of Dallas, everything starts with the brand’s deeper purpose: shining a light on local Black artists, activists, and untold Dallas histories. The “template” phase is my blueprint moment. I create vision boards, draft project plans with clear tasks and timelines, and decide how each image or video snippet will help us highlight Dallas’s creative counterculture. This includes pinpointing local landmarks that resonate best, or deciding if a particular color palette will best reflect the city’s radical flair. Clarity here keeps the entire shoot aligned with our larger archival goals.
2. The Team-Building Stage
Next, I handpick a crew that understands both the aesthetic and the activism behind Daughter of Dallas. It’s crucial they share our mission of uplifting community-based artistry and underrepresented voices. For my latest project, I turned to Nikko Smith, a stylist who caught my attention a few Halloweens back with an elevated Beetle Juice cosplay. (And if you know me, you know I love a good cosplay.) Nikko has consistently championed Black Women-led brands and local artisans in his own work. True to fashion, he brought on an all-star cast of local Black Women creatives—Sylvia, Justice, Rachelle, Lola O, Aeryan, and Dallas-born designers like K Daniels. I also tapped Jessica Taylor to be photographer because her ethos is deeply community-centric. From CRWN Magazine to capturing Keke Palmer, Jessica’s work is anchored in storytelling through a Black Woman’s lens. This slow and specific selection process resulted in a group who “gets” that this isn’t about me looking pretty; it’s about visually archiving Dallas’s unseen magic.
3. Talk + Test
Communication is everything. If our mission is to produce meaningful content, not just pretty pictures, then everyone needs to stay in the loop. We do frequent check-ins about budgets, timelines, and any new ideas that might amplify the final concept. At fittings, I give honest, direct feedback: if a garment or pose doesn’t align with the story we want to tell, we pivot. For instance, once we settled on using a statement cape, I scouted spots around the city that not only enable the piece to shine, but also reflect Dallas’s artivism-laced energy, reinforcing that this is more than a fashion moment; it’s a piece of local history.
4. Tweak
Finally, the Tweak Stage: I know a look is right when I break into a little dance (no dance, no dice). With the K Daniels look, I flipped the corset upside down, switched pants for a skirt, asked Justice to make my split higher, opted for an updo, and added black gloves. It was about ensuring the final vibe truly conveyed Daughter of Dallas: forward-thinking, unapologetically bold, and anchored in Dallas’s communal spirit while also being true to my own unique aesthetic, because in Dallas, we are one-of-one after all. Additionally, during the shoot, I welcomed direction on poses and last minute accessory swaps, because cohesion is key—a small shift can elevate an outfit from cool to culturally resonant. No matter whose idea began the conversation, the final look is always a collaboration of multiple minds. I’m big on letting masters do their thing, but I also jump in when something feels off or needs that extra push to align with the brand.
And that’s it. From “template” to “tweak,” every step is about showcasing the city’s hidden radical wonders—be they in the folds of a statement garment or the lines of a city skyline in the background. With Daughter of Dallas, we’re not just creating style; we’re creating a living, breathing record of who Dallas is and who we can be. If you’re down for more behind-the-scenes insights on local creators, activists, and those rewriting the Dallas narrative, stay tuned. There’s plenty more story to tell.
producing the perfect photoshoot
the daughter of dallas approach
I’ll be the first to admit: I’m super awkward in front of a camera – model material, I am not. But putting together an impactful photoshoot for Daughter of Dallas isn’t about me posing effortlessly. It’s about spotlighting the larger mission: uncovering, amplifying, and archiving the stories of Black art and activism in Dallas. Fashion is one dynamic way to do that – especially when it’s infused with the city’s innovative maximalist style. We’re here to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and radical spirit of Black Dallasites and others who’ve been erased from the dominant narrative. Thus, these images aren’t just “cute looks”; they’re part of a living archive of Dallas’s hidden stories.
Over the years, I’ve developed a four-stage process to produce the perfect photoshoot, utilizing visual storytelling to bring a mission to life.
1. The Template Stage
For Daughter of Dallas, everything starts with the brand’s deeper purpose: shining a light on local Black artists, activists, and untold Dallas histories. The “template” phase is my blueprint moment. I create vision boards, draft project plans with clear tasks and timelines, and decide how each image or video snippet will help us highlight Dallas’s creative counterculture. This includes pinpointing local landmarks that resonate best, or deciding if a particular color palette will best reflect the city’s radical flair. Clarity here keeps the entire shoot aligned with our larger archival goals.
2. The Team-Building Stage
Next, I handpick a crew that understands both the aesthetic and the activism behind Daughter of Dallas. It’s crucial they share our mission of uplifting community-based artistry and underrepresented voices. For my latest project, I turned to Nikko Smith, a stylist who caught my attention a few Halloweens back with an elevated Beetle Juice cosplay. (And if you know me, you know I love a good cosplay.) Nikko has consistently championed Black Women-led brands and local artisans in his own work. True to fashion, he brought on an all-star cast of local Black Women creatives—Sylvia, Justice, Rachelle, Lola O, Aeryan, and Dallas-born designers like K Daniels. I also tapped Jessica Taylor to be photographer because her ethos is deeply community-centric. From CRWN Magazine to capturing Keke Palmer, Jessica’s work is anchored in storytelling through a Black Woman’s lens. This slow and specific selection process resulted in a group who “gets” that this isn’t about me looking pretty; it’s about visually archiving Dallas’s unseen magic.
3. Talk + Test
Communication is everything. If our mission is to produce meaningful content, not just pretty pictures, then everyone needs to stay in the loop. We do frequent check-ins about budgets, timelines, and any new ideas that might amplify the final concept. At fittings, I give honest, direct feedback: if a garment or pose doesn’t align with the story we want to tell, we pivot. For instance, once we settled on using a statement cape, I scouted spots around the city that not only enable the piece to shine, but also reflect Dallas’s artivism-laced energy, reinforcing that this is more than a fashion moment; it’s a piece of local history.
4. Tweak
Finally, the Tweak Stage: I know a look is right when I break into a little dance (no dance, no dice). With the K Daniels look, I flipped the corset upside down, switched pants for a skirt, asked Justice to make my split higher, opted for an updo, and added black gloves. It was about ensuring the final vibe truly conveyed Daughter of Dallas: forward-thinking, unapologetically bold, and anchored in Dallas’s communal spirit while also being true to my own unique aesthetic, because in Dallas, we are one-of-one after all. Additionally, during the shoot, I welcomed direction on poses and last minute accessory swaps, because cohesion is key—a small shift can elevate an outfit from cool to culturally resonant. No matter whose idea began the conversation, the final look is always a collaboration of multiple minds. I’m big on letting masters do their thing, but I also jump in when something feels off or needs that extra push to align with the brand.
And that’s it. From “template” to “tweak,” every step is about showcasing the city’s hidden radical wonders—be they in the folds of a statement garment or the lines of a city skyline in the background. With Daughter of Dallas, we’re not just creating style; we’re creating a living, breathing record of who Dallas is and who we can be. If you’re down for more behind-the-scenes insights on local creators, activists, and those rewriting the Dallas narrative, stay tuned. There’s plenty more story to tell.
