Hello. Hola. Nǐ hǎo. Bonjour. Kon’nichiwa
I'm Daniella KoontzI am your personal point of contact from beginning to end. This means I will be here to answer all your questions, I’ll be the one who photographs you and the one who edits your images. When you reach out, text, or comment on social media, I'll be the one responding!
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...
I'm Daniella Koontz, and I've been photographing people and their stories for over two decades. In 2006, I turned that lifelong passion into Koontz Photography, a space where creativity, authenticity, and connection thrive.
Photography has always been more than a job for me. It's how I process the world, celebrate emotion, and build community. As a mother of four, I've had plenty of practice navigating chaos with humor, patience, and flexibility, skills that translate surprisingly well to wrangling wedding parties and coaxing genuine smiles out of camera-shy toddlers. For every hour I spend behind the camera, there are countless more spent editing, planning, and making sure each client's story is told with care and intention.
I'm an award-winning, internationally published photographer, but what matters most is how that experience shows up for you. I'm accredited with Hearts & Lens, which means I've intentionally trained to photograph people of all abilities with care, patience, and understanding. Having neurodivergent children myself, this work is deeply personal to me. I understand sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and the need for flexibility, and I bring that awareness into every session.
I've been both behind and in front of the camera, so I know how stressful all of this can feel, yet how magical it can be when you finally feel comfortable in your own skin. My approach blends calm guidance, creativity, and just enough goofiness to turn nerves into genuine moments.
When you book with me, you're not just hiring a photographer. You're gaining someone who will cheer you on, help wrangle the chaos, and make sure your photos reflect the real joy, connection, and beauty of the moment.
I am a member of PPCF and FPP, and currently serve on the boards of both organizations. I am also a member of the PPA, a proud vendor with Offbeat Wed and the Rainbow Wedding Network.
My work goes beyond traditional portraits and weddings. I love collaborating with artists, musicians, cosplayers, and offbeat couples who bring their full selves to the creative process, the weirder and more wonderful, the better. Over the years, my photography has been published internationally in books, magazines, album art, TV shows, and merchandise, including features in Illusion Magazine, Photoshop Creative, The Steampunk User's Manual, the Smithsonian Blog, and more. I've also had the honor of being selected for the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit Water/Ways.
When I'm not behind the camera, I'm usually painting, classically trained in oils but forever changed by watercolors, exploring museums, or crafting with my kids. My family speaks fluent cosplay, board games, and anime, and we never met a scavenger hunt we didn't want to win. I have a deep appreciation for weird, wonderful storytelling, whether it's sci-fi, folklore, or the magic of a shared moment.
Giving back is something I hold close. Each year, I donate my time and services to organizations doing meaningful work in West Volusia and beyond, including the Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, Foundations to Freedom, and others supporting people facing homelessness, addiction, and domestic violence. I also support organizations helping children and animals find homes, expanding STEAM programs, and keeping the arts in schools. I'm a member of SIP (Southeast), where we offer emotional support and physically stand in at life events for members of the community when they need us most. Putting my camera and my presence in the service of my community is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Favorite Things
Bears.Beats.Battlestar galacticaColor: Black/Rainbow
Animals: Bats, Crows, Cats, T-Rex
Game: Genshin Impact, Mario Odyssey
TV Show: Arcane
Animated animals: Stitch & Bluey
Muppet: Kermit
Dragon: Maleficent / Toothless
Music: PopPunk / Old School Emo
Ride: Cosmic Rewind
Animes: AOT, Kimetsu no Yaiba
Favorite food: Tacos
I love costumes, art, museums, games, science centers, dinosaurs, space, animals, travel, nature, and all the silliness of life.
