Person lying on a metal bench, holding a camera up to their face, smiling, in a nighttime outdoor setting.

A woman with long red hair, glasses, and a big smile standing outdoors on a pathway surrounded by autumn trees.

A young woman standing on a grassy field with a large goldendoodle in front of a cornfield and cloudy sky.

A young woman with long red hair and glasses is taking a photo with a DSLR camera. She is indoors, wearing a checkered tanktop over a long-sleeve shirt, and appears focused on capturing a shot.

A young woman with short red hair and tattoos on her chest working on a laptop at a coffee shop, with a takeaway coffee cup beside her, in a modern industrial-style space with exposed ductwork and hanging lights.

Photos by abigail alexis + paris estes.

My work.

Hello! Howdy! Aloha! Bonjour! Hoi!

My name is Dana and I am a queer wedding and couples photographer based in Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas. Honestly, I’m one wild bitch lmao. I've got chronic illnesses out the wazoo, crippling anxiety and I love my cats, doggo, kids and partner. Before landing myself in the wedding industry, I worked with various magazines, newspapers and mostly photographed heavy metal concerts.

In college, I really immersed myself in 4x5 and 35mm film and have been obsessed with all its glory ever since. Because of this, I shoot film alongside digital for everything I do and provide the option for Super 8 video. I love how honest the mediums are. I wish we all were a little more honest in our lives today.

I love the wedding industry and all of the different people it lets me meet, however there are many changes I would love to see in it. There is absolutely no reason when you google “weddings” the only thing you see is thousands of pictures of thin, white heteronormative couples. Until this is widely challenged, I will actively work to create a space for these changes and hope others will follow.

I want our shoots to be fun. I’m not here to get pretty photos of you and your partner in a random ass field. I want to make imagery that you show your friends and they go “wow that really feels like you.” Let’s go get tattoos or go skateboarding together. Whatever weird ass shit you’re into let’s go and I'll bring my camera.

What’s important to me.

Your love story matters exactly as it is. I’m committed to creating a safe, joyful, and welcoming space for couples and families of all races, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, bodies, and backgrounds. Whether you’re planning a big celebration, an intimate elopement, or something beautifully different, I’d be honored to capture your day with care and intention.

Newlyweds celebrating outdoors at a table with fruit, flowers, a candle, and drinks, clinking beer bottles together.

Two women wearing heart-shaped sunglasses standing inside a vintage clothing store. One woman holds a bouquet of orange and yellow flowers.

A woman and a man exchanging wedding vows during an outdoor wedding ceremony, officiated by a person wearing a black cowboy hat, with trees in the background.

I met my partner, Paris, through a friend that was in a band I photographed frequently. Once I was introduced to him, I immediately knew he was one of those people I needed to keep in my life.

It’s not often that you meet someone who views the world so differently than you that you want to see it from their eyes. He was so so sweet and honestly wouldn’t even hurt a fly. I grew up around a bunch anger and it was so refreshing to meet someone who was raised the opposite way. He has taught me so much throughout the years I have known him and the biggest is how to be kind and how to love. He has shown me that true love naturally comes with happiness. Don’t be mistaken, Love takes a lot of hard work and effort but it’s oh so beautiful and shouldn’t require you to make constant sacrifices. I have allowed many people into my life that didn’t deserve what I had to offer and I am so grateful he was able to show me what true love and affection is.

Since we both attended the University of North Texas, we began hanging out a LOT. The two of us became inseperable. He proposed to me near the football stadium on campus in December of 2020 and we immediately started planning our wedding. We got married at The Emerson in Kaufman, Tx in January of 2022. We wanted a super modern boho vibe and that’s exactly what we got.

Together we have graduated college, bought a house, gotten married, have three little fur babies piggy trotting around the house and two little kiddos. I couldn’t ask for a better partner and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

This is my love story & I’d love to hear yours.