We recently had the chance to connect with Yazi Davis and have shared our conversation below.
Yazi, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Honestly, this is not work related but my 6 year old son has started cussing. It sounds so funny coming out of his little mouth but I am mostly proud because he is using the words correctly. So, it feels like a win.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Yazi — Jacksonville-based branding photographer and your new business bestie with a camera. I help entrepreneurs ditch the stiff headshots and create scroll-stopping images that feel like you. My sessions are part photoshoot, part confidence boost, and 100% tailored to your brand’s personality. Basically, if your photos don’t make you want to update your website immediately, I haven’t done my job.
What makes me unique? I’m obsessed with getting your real story — not just the posed, perfect shots (though you’ll get those too), but the in-between moments that feel like you. And yes, I will absolutely squeal when I get “the shot.”
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Honestly? My clients have taught me the most about my work. Every session shows me new ways to capture personality, tell a story, and embrace those perfectly imperfect moments. Plus, nothing keeps you on your toes like photographing a toddler with a sugar rush or an entrepreneur with 17 outfit changes. I love my clients and getting to walk through life with them.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain after my mom passed from cancer. For a while, I tried to tuck it away, but grief has a way of seeping into everything. Photography became the space where I could pour all of it — the hurt, the love, the memories — into something beautiful. Turning that pain into art felt like breathing again, and it became my way of honoring her while helping others see the beauty in their own stories.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version? Oh, that’s me — same personality I’ve had since I was 14 (just ask my friends). I’m still the girl who laughs too loud, says exactly what’s on her mind, and will risk personal safety to get the shot (yes, even if it means doing a weird dance on a chair). Now that I’m a mom, I’ve just added a superpower: juggling snacks, coffee, and a tiny human who insists on being my “assistant.” Basically, I’m proof you can be professional, hilarious, and slightly chaotic all at once.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me as someone who made them feel seen, valued, and truly beautiful — not just in photos, but in life. That I captured more than just moments; I captured their stories and made them feel celebrated, confident, and loved. If I can leave behind a legacy of kindness and connection, then I’ll know I did my job.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yazidavis.com/
- Instagram: yazidavis
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/yazidavis
- Twitter: yazidavis
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/YaziDavisPhotography
- Yelp: https://yelp.com/biz/yazi-davis-photography
