Smile! You're on camera. Or, at least, you could be!
Hi there! I'm La Donna, the sole photographer at Darkes Documentary Company - a Virginia Beach based photography service that provides effortless photo documentation of your most special days. My approach is simple - I aim to preserve vibrant, authentic moments captured just as they happen, as well as cohesively coach my clients in order to bring life as it is to an emotional standstill.
If vivid colors and guided candids are what call your name, I'm your girl. Documentary alone doesn't cut it here - I supply poise and prompts that make your moments feel like movies.
My work takes me all across Hampton Roads. Read more about me, and why I do what I do, below.
La Donna of Darkes Documentary Company taking a mirror "selfie" before a studio maternity session.
La Donna of Darkes Documentary Company
La Donna of Darkes Documentary Company, photographed while documenting a Catholic wedding ceremony.
As we've already established, I'm La Donna. The sole owner, operator, and photographer here at Darkes Documentary Company. Before I dive into the fun things, I hope you will allow me to be sappy for just a moment.
Darkes Documentary Co. is not just a photography service, but an embodiment of my heart, soul and passion. "Darkes" is the last name I've inherited from my high school sweetheart-turned-husband, Colton.
Darkes Documentary Company holds so much potential, and there is more to come from me. From digital photography now, to hopefully film and instant prints one day soon.
I learned from a very young age that no matter what, time will pass. Whether we want it to or not, the days will come and go, memories will fade and what isn't remembered by those passing through, can and will eventually vanish forever.
This concept hit me increasingly hard as the years passed that my father was not by my side. As I grew up, turning 8, 12, 16, then 18, having my first baby, turning 21, having my second baby... life pressed on. And, as each year passed, the ache of having such few documented memories left of the short time I did have with my father deepened.
This concept holds true to anyone and anything, that time will pass. My desire to photograph people, weddings, nature... it all comes from a deep understanding that one day, photos will be the only encapsulation of memories that we have left. The deepest of emotions are felt when my clients experience their happiest days and I am there to capture all the best and most intimate moments.
Unlike my peers in high school, I didn't take a single photography class. I didn't find a career path that fit who I thought I was meant to be. The dream I had, I deemed too far out of reach, and self doubt consumed me entirely.
As time went on, I went on, too. I gave birth to my daughter at just 20 years old, and I birthed my son merely 19 months later. I moved back home with my mom, I heavily indulged in all things motherhood, I picked up gardening and baking - letting photography take a step back. I was still using my camera to document the months passing of my kid's lives, but getting out to just let creativity run the show was almost unheard of. Hell, I had a newborn and toddler to care for (as well as many plants, and a special little kitty named Skyla.)
I married the love of my life the month after my son was born. Six whole years of loving the same boy endlessly turned into a lifelong promise with the man I was actively building a family with. But, life continued on, as it does so well.
Months passed, and my now husband was leaving for boot camp. I was alone, I was scared, I was not prepared. I only had my babies and support from my noticeably small circle of family and friends for the foreseeable future.
Though, I did still have my camera. So, I dusted her off and began to book free photoshoots in an attempt to make what felt like a never-ending 3 month nightmare finally come to an end. I booked all kinds of sessions - fresh 48, maternity, portraits, hell I even photographed a WEDDING for free!
Eventually, of course, my husband did return home. And, with his return home, soon after came my 23rd birthday. When he asked what I wanted for this special day, I couldn't have asked for anything better than a new camera! With a new camera in one hand, and my husbands fingers entwined in the other, I took the necessary steps to begin dedicating myself fully to this business.
I have been absolutely enthralled by photography for about 13 years. Photos of mine from around 2012 or 2013 can be seen above, though please forgive the cringe-worthy "watermark" and horrendous quality of these years old screenshots. I began photographing nature and my friends with just my phone, which then turned into me exploring our neighborhood with my mom's cherry red Kodak EasyShare.
Regardless of my lack of knowledge when it came to operating the camera, I held onto that little guy for years. These photos were taken early one dewy morning in 2017, with the same camera from years past. No, I still did not know what I was doing... but I was having fun.
Fastforward a few years to 2020, I was somehow turning 18! My eldest sister gifted me the best thing a girl like me could ask for... no, not a car, or even just a few hundred dollars. She handed me a box which held my first DSLR camera, a Canon EOS 4000D. I remember loving that thing with all I had in me, and boy, did it help guide me through even my worst days. Some of my favorite first captures can be viewed above.
Now, I used this camera nearly every day from the day I opened the box until I upgraded to a new camera body in December of 2024. That's a month shy of 5 years! I pride myself in knowing that this well loved camera has since been gifted to another aspiring photographer and dear friend of mine. Above are some of my last photos taken with this camera, and notably, some I am also very proud of.
Now, let's relive a very special day from December 2024. My birthday was rapidly approaching, and my husband had been asking what I would want for my 23rd trip around the sun. How could I ask for anything other than a new camera? We went and toured some local stores, and on a whim, we invested in a Canon R10 with a new lens to pair with it. This camera body was a whole new world to me. A mirrorless, crop sensor camera with super fast autofocus, lightweight feel and sleek design. Some samples of one of the first photo sessions I shot with said camera can be viewed above.
Well, after hyper-fixating on camera knowledge and know-how, just a few months later I was blessed enough to upgrade camera bodies again. I opted for the Canon R6 Mark II body with the same Canon 50mm F/1.8 lens that was originally purchased alongside my Canon R10. This camera body was even bigger and badder than the last one - still mirrorless, but a full frame monster of a camera that made my R10 want to hide in a corner.
My current setup is more than I could ask for, and loved more than I can put into words. Canon R6 Mark II (thanks to the hubby,) and numerous lenses, additional thanks to my godmums Michelle & Nicole! This may sound like a bunch of names and models that may not mean much to anyone else, but allow me to provide these impactful images for you and your family.
Above are some of my most recent works, utilizing both an upgraded body and lens.
Camera body and lens talk aside, the passion that has been a slow burn inside me for many, many years now, still crackles and pops at the thought of each new photo session booked. The dedication to this craft is more than just, "oh, I like doing this," and rather, "I love providing this service to my clients."
Now, I've mentioned my husband and even briefly mentioned my god parents. But let's not forget who else made this dream a reality. These are people that I owe my life, my sanity, and my job to. These people believed in a young girl with a camera and a dream.
First, a dedication to my mom, Martha-Louise. Of course, I could just say that I wouldn't be where I am without her. But that would be cheap. Instead, I will say that through trial and error, this woman has fought and still fights to this day to teach me how to endure life, and to embrace it's challenges and face them head on. We have walked miles upon miles to make it down mountains to town for groceries, we have slaved at corporate jobs to make ends barely meet, we have spent nights in cold houses with little food and zero power. From days on the streets to nights in our own rooms in cozy beds, my mom has been there through it all. Even when I was 5 and a half hours away, I was still up her arse daily. I don't have the vocabulary to even begin to thank her.
A second dedication to the friend and sister who has been by my side through literal thick and thin, Andy Joe. We've had our disagreements, we've spent months away from each other. We've gone on road trips, we've sang and giggled at local bars. We've witnessed death in each other's lives, hardships no one should have to endure but we did, with one by the other's side. We've spent holidays at each other's houses, lived in each other's beds, stayed up well past our bedtimes just to chat about any and all things that only our ears could hear. Andy has not only been a stupendous model, but also an understanding, totally devoted friend, "uncle," and sister at any and all the times I needed them to be. If it weren't for Andy, you wouldn't be here reading this blurb. I'd have never picked my camera back up if they weren't willing to model for me, neither of us knowing what we were doing but just grabbing the challenge by the horns and wrangling it until we found a flow.
Some honorable mentions, how could I ever forget the two who got me to be where I am career wise. Hillary of Hillary Hutchinson Photo Co and Liz of Brownhaven Photography LLC have both been kind enough to lend a hand, to let me learn. To Acknowledge me and believe in the sentiment, "community over competition." To believe I was never malicious with my intentions, to trust that I wanted the best for them as much as I wanted to succeed myself. When Liz told me that she saw something in me, and viewed my work, talked to me as not just a peer but a friend. When Hillary became more than just a name on a screen that I looked up to, but a person that I hold near and dear to my heart. These two mean so, so much to me and I could never put it into words. Thank you.