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Claire Dukatz Claire Dukatz

My Love for Photography: A 10+ Year Journey

It all started with a pink Barbie Polaroid camera. I was just a young girl, fascinated by the ability to capture moments in time with a simple click of a button.

It all started with a pink Barbie Polaroid camera. I was only eight or nine years old, but I remember feeling like I had discovered a magical world. I was fascinated by the ability to capture moments in time with a simple click of a button. My parents would buy me film, and I would spend hours taking pictures of everything and everyone around me. I never imagined that my love for photography could become a lifelong passion and a fulfilling career.

As I grew older, I continued to take pictures with different cameras and experimented with various techniques. I loved capturing special moments and memories, and I would often give photos as gifts to my family and friends. It wasn't until I was in my early 20s that I realized I could turn my passion for photography into a career. A friend asked me to take some photos of her family and offered to pay me for my services. I was thrilled at the opportunity and poured my heart and soul into those photos.

Word of mouth spread, and I began to get more clients. I invested in a professional DSLR camera and started learning everything I could about lighting, composition, and editing. I took courses and workshops, and I practiced every chance I got.

Over the years, my career in photography has taken me to many places and allowed me to meet amazing people. I've captured families, portraits, events, weddings, and even pets. I've worked with clients from all walks of life and had the privilege of telling their stories through my lens.

But my favorite moments in photography are those when I can capture genuine emotions and connections between people. I love photographing families, especially children, and seeing their personalities shine through in my pictures. I believe that a photo has the power to evoke feelings and memories that can last a lifetime.

Looking back on my 10+ year career in photography, I am grateful for that little Barbie camera that sparked my passion for this art form. I never imagined that photography would become such an integral part of my life, and I am grateful for every opportunity that it has brought my way. I look forward to many more years of capturing moments and telling stories through my lens.

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Claire Dukatz Claire Dukatz

Gianna & Zach | Center City

Gianna and Zach’s rainy day engagement session in Philadelphia

When Gianna and Zach’s session day came, it was disappointingly gloomy. We considered rescheduling but decided to go forward with our session as planned. I grabbed some cute umbrellas at Target and met them in Center City at the Notary Hotel. The cold rainy evening left the, typically crowded area, fairly empty so, I wasn’t complaining! Gianna and Zach were troopers in the cold though!

I will lay down on the dirty sidewalk to get the shot.

Engagement ring
Man and woman under an umbrella
Man and woman dance in the rain
dancing in the rain
black and white image of a woman and man

At the end of their session we headed down to South Philly to the Wells Fargo Center, go Flyers!

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