Today we’d like to introduce you to Diona Williams
Hi Diona, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Photography has been a part of my life for over two decades, shaping the way I see and capture the world. I started my journey in photography with a passion for storytelling—using light, composition, and emotion to freeze moments in time. Over the years, I honed my craft, and my work has been published in various magazines and platforms. My photography business, Thistle+Oak, is based in Florida, where I specialize in natural, emotive portraiture. I aim to create images that feel timeless, ethereal, and deeply personal, often drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature and the quiet, in-between moments that tell a story on their own.
While photography has been my profession for over 20 years, writing has always been in the background, waiting for its time to emerge. My love for storytelling was sparked by my grandmother who introduced me to fantasy and sci-fi books at a young age. That passion for world-building and deep, character-driven narratives eventually led me to write my debut novel, Where Dreams Collide (the first book in The Elusive Series). It blends fantasy, sci-fi, and introspective storytelling. Alongside my novel, I also created a Where Dreams Collide coloring book, merging my love for art and storytelling. The illustrations bring key moments from the book to life in a dreamy, mystical style, allowing readers to visually engage with the world I’ve built. Now, I’m halfway through writing the second book in the Elusive series, which expands on the characters and the world introduced in the first book. It’s been an exciting process to see the story unfold, and I can’t wait to share more with readers.
Beyond photography and writing, I’m a homeschooling mom and wife, which brings its own beautiful challenges and joys. My family and I also run a small farm, where we raise animals like rabbits and chickens and grow our own food. I love baking, foraging for herbs, and spending time in the garden—it’s a lifestyle that keeps us grounded and connected to nature.
Balancing creativity, family, and faith has been a journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything. My faith in God is the foundation of everything I do, guiding me through each step of my creative and personal life. Whether I’m capturing a moment behind the lens, writing a story that speaks to the soul, or teaching my son at the kitchen table, I strive to pour love and purpose into everything I create. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m excited to see where God leads me next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I don’t think the best journeys ever are. Like any creative path, there have been seasons of doubt, burnout, and unexpected detours. In photography, I had to learn not only the art itself but also the business side—how to market my work, manage clients, and navigate an industry that’s always changing. There were times when I questioned if I was doing the right thing, but my love for capturing moments always brought me back.
Writing came with its own set of struggles. I had dreamed of telling stories for years but often put it on the back burner, especially while raising my son and focusing on my photography business. When I finally sat down to write Where Dreams Collide, I battled with self-doubt and creative blocks. There’s a vulnerability in putting a story out into the world, especially one so deeply personal. But pushing through those challenges made the journey even more rewarding.
On a personal level, balancing everything—being a wife, homeschooling mom, photographer, writer, and running a farm—hasn’t always been easy. There are days when it feels like there just aren’t enough hours, and I’ve had to learn to give myself grace in the process. My faith in God has been my anchor through it all. It’s what has kept me moving forward, even in moments of uncertainty.
Despite the struggles, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every challenge has shaped me, teaching me patience, perseverance, and the importance of trusting God’s timing. Looking back, I see how each obstacle was a step leading me exactly where I needed to be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear many creative hats, but at the heart of everything I do is storytelling—whether through photography, writing, or art.
In photography, I specialize in natural, emotive portraiture through my business, Thistle+Oak, but one of my greatest passions is boudoir photography. I truly love boudoir because it allows people—especially women—to see themselves in a new light. It’s not just about the images; it’s about the transformation that happens during a session. So many women come in feeling nervous or unsure, and by the end, they walk away with confidence, empowerment, and a deeper appreciation for themselves. Boudoir photography is about celebrating beauty in all forms, embracing self-love, and capturing the vulnerability and strength that exist together. There’s something incredibly powerful about helping someone see themselves as worthy, beautiful, and enough—exactly as they are.
Outside of boudoir, my work is deeply inspired by nature and emotion, creating timeless and ethereal images that feel like memories. My goal is always to capture the raw, authentic beauty in people and the world around us. Over the years, my work has been published in various magazines and platforms, which has been an honor and a testament to the passion I pour into every shoot.
Beyond photography, I am also an author. My debut novel, Where Dreams Collide, is the first book in The Elusive series, blending fantasy, sci-fi, and introspective storytelling. The story follows Gabby, a woman struggling with writer’s block, only to find herself experiencing vivid dreams that connect her to another world. Alongside the novel, I also created a Where Dreams Collide coloring book, merging my love for art and storytelling by bringing key moments from the book to life in an intricate, dreamy style. I’m currently halfway through writing the second book in the series, which expands on the world and characters introduced in the first.
What I’m most proud of is the way my work resonates with others. Whether it’s a photograph that makes someone see their own beauty, a story that transports a reader into another world, or an illustration that sparks creativity, I want everything I create to have meaning.
What sets me apart is the way I weave storytelling into every aspect of my work. Photography, writing, and art aren’t separate for me—they’re all connected by the desire to capture emotion, imagination, and the fleeting beauty of a moment. My faith in God also plays a huge role in how I create and why I do what I do. I believe creativity is a gift, and I strive to use it to bring something meaningful into the world.
At the end of the day, my work is about connection—whether it’s capturing a moment, crafting a story, or creating art that sparks emotion. That’s what drives me, and that’s what I hope to continue doing for years to come.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The COVID-19 crisis was a turning point in many ways, both personally and professionally. One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of adaptability. As a photographer, there were times when I couldn’t do in-person sessions, which forced me to rethink how I approached my work and business. It was a reminder that creativity isn’t just about art—it’s about problem-solving, evolving, and finding new ways to connect with people even in uncertain times.
On a personal level, the pandemic reinforced the value of slowing down and being present. It gave me time to focus on my family, our farm, homeschooling, and creative projects that had been waiting in the background for too long.
I also saw how much people crave connection, whether through photography, storytelling, or simply being with their loved ones. That’s something I carry with me now—whether I’m behind the lens, writing a book, or creating art, I want my work to remind people of their own beauty, strength, and resilience.
Most of all, I learned that nothing in life is guaranteed, and that makes every moment, every dream, and every opportunity worth pursuing. The pandemic shifted a lot of perspectives, but for me, it ultimately reinforced why I do what I do—to create, to capture, and to connect.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dionarenee.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thistleandoakphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thistleandoakphoto
- Other: https://a.co/d/fFTw6ke
