Meet Cheyenne Dixon | Artistic and Lifestyle Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cheyenne Dixon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cheyenne, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been interested in photography since I was little. I remember watching a movie, which I believe starred Hilary Duff, where her dad was a photographer and he would travel all over the world taking photos. At that moment I remember thinking, “Wow, I’m going to be a photographer when I grow up!” Getting to travel to so many beautiful places all over the world and capture it with your lens, and get paid for it? It seemed like the dream job! Something else I have always said since I was little is: “How come it doesn’t look the same on camera as it does in real life?” It seemed that cameras could never pick up the beauty and magic of what I was looking at with my naked eye. But learning the ins and outs of photography have changed that. At some point in my adolescence I veered off the path of pursuing photography because ‘anyone can push a button,’ (oh how naive I was) and I thought it too risky to pursue an artistic career instead of something ‘safer.’ I never went to university. I did a little bit of community college my senior year of high school but none after graduating. I worked retail for a few years, then when I realized that burned me out and I didn’t have any passion for it, I started nannying. I’ve always loved working with children. But when my nanny family of 1.5 years moved, I was left to decide if I wanted to continue nannying or do something else. That’s when my husband suggested photography. “It’s what you’ve always wanted to do, babe. Why don’t you just go for it?” He said to me. So I did. He helped me do the research, helped me practice shoot; and most importantly, believed in me. Sometimes more than I believed in myself. That was in January of 2023, and I still nanny, but this past year of learning and creating this business has been endlessly fulfilling. I see beauty and inspiration everywhere I look, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Photography is my art form and way of self expression. Whether it be a branding, family, or editorial shoot. It’s all art to me. I guess I’ve always had an eye for the artistic things in life. And without the support and trust of the people in front of the camera, I wouldn’t be where I am today, creating. Creating any sort of business is never easy, it takes work. But the people who are there to guide you along the way make it easier. What I would want people to know about me, my brand, or just photography in general, is that you don’t have to settle on one specific niche. You shouldn’t have to condemn yourself to one small category of something in order to ‘establish yourself’ professionally or financially. Photography is about exploring and sharing all that lights you up inside, so share it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
To be completely honest, I’m a bit of a homebody! But I do love going out on occasion, there’s plenty of places I haven’t even tried/been to yet that are on my list! Nai Thai 2 is my favorite place in town to get pad Thai, and The Taco Shack for birria tacos, if you can catch them! More and more there’s all kinds of little events going on in Goldsboro! I’d definitely check out Small Batch Craft Markets, Lola’s Vintiques, and The Dandelion.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Firstly I’d like to thank my friend Kaytlyn Williams, Owner and Creator of Sweet Carolina Soap and Small Batch Craft Market, LLC; for recommending me for an interview. Kaytlyn is awesome and has been so supportive of me, we even had the chance to collaborate this past year! A big shoutout goes to my husband of course for always being my biggest supporter and always pushing me to do my best. Raisa McClelland of RDM Studio & Photography, and Brianna Hunter of Magnolia Gray Photography, are two fellow local photographers that I’ve collaborated with as well. They each showed me so much kindness and gave me some pointers. And lastly a huge shoutout to each and every one of my clients from this past year! Thank you for entrusting me to capture those moments, make those memories and bring your visions to life.

Website: https://cheyennejoyphotography.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheyennejoyphotography?igsh=MXFib3ZyNXZ6MWRkYQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091178142308&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Cover Photo: Magnolia Gray Photography All other images: Cheyenne Joy Photography