Today we’d like to introduce you to Daisy Morris.
Hi Daisy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I came to the University of Minnesota, I had one thing on my mind: becoming a nurse. School has always been my top priority, but college also introduced me to an incredible community of creative people. One night, I was asked to model for a local clothing brand, and that opportunity completely changed my path.
For about a year, I freelanced modeled for local photographers and brands, eventually working with companies like Banana Republic. Through modeling, I met so many talented photographers and creatives, and I became fascinated by everything happening behind the camera. One day, I borrowed a friend’s camera to photograph a small get-together, and I instantly fell in love with photography. I knew I wanted a camera of my own, but as a broke college student, all I could afford was a $100 camera I found on Facebook Marketplace.
I started asking my friends if I could take their photos just for fun. Eventually, I decided to create an Instagram page to share my work. The name “Daisy Shootz” came to me, the username was available, and that’s where it all began.
At first, I honestly just faked it until I made it. I kept introducing myself as a photographer, practiced whenever I could, and spent countless hours learning how to edit and improve my craft. About three months after I started, I had the opportunity to fly to Atlanta for a photography job. That was the moment I realized people genuinely connected with my work and my style.
Since then, I’ve balanced nursing school, jobs, and photography while continuing to grow my business. As I gained experience, I was invited to photograph a DJ event, and I immediately fell in love with nightlife photography. The energy of the crowd, the lighting, and the fast-paced environment pushed me creatively in ways I had never experienced before.
Today, Daisy Shootz has grown into something I never could have imagined when I bought my first camera. Photography has allowed me to travel, meet incredible people, and tell stories through my own perspective. I’m still learning every day, but I’m grateful I took a chance on myself. What started as a hobby with borrowed equipment has grown into a business, a creative outlet, and a reminder that sometimes the biggest opportunities begin with simply saying yes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In fact, it’s probably been one of the bumpiest journeys I’ve taken. When I first started with my little first ever digital camera, I quickly realized that if I wanted to grow, I would eventually need better equipment. As a college student, though, upgrading my gear wasn’t financially realistic. Ironically, as more opportunities started coming my way, I often found myself saying yes to projects before I had all the equipment I thought I needed. Looking back, I’m glad I did because it taught me that creativity, determination, and the willingness to learn matter far more than having the most expensive gear.
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing photography with nursing school, work, and building a business from the ground up. There were countless late nights spent editing after class, early mornings before work, and weekends where I was behind the camera instead of taking a break. Because I taught myself everything, I spent hours watching YouTube videos, reels, and experimenting until I found my own editing style. There wasn’t a shortcut, I simply refused to stop improving.
There were also moments when I questioned whether I was good enough. Not every client loved my work, and criticism can be hard to hear when you’ve poured so much of yourself into something. But every piece of feedback became fuel. Instead of letting it discourage me, I let it challenge me to become better. Every shoot taught me something new, and every mistake pushed me to grow.
I think what kept me going was my determination. I knew where I wanted to be, even if I wasn’t there yet. There were so many moments where giving up would have been easier, but I kept saying yes to opportunities, kept practicing, and kept believing that if I stayed consistent, it would all be worth it.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe it all started with a borrowed camera and a small Facebook Marketplace purchase. I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come, not because of the opportunities I’ve had, but because I know how much work, sacrifice, and determination it took to get here. Every setback made me a better photographer, a stronger business owner, and a more resilient person. At the same time, I know I’m only getting started. I still have so many goals I want to accomplish, so many stories I want to tell, and so much more to learn. If anything, this journey has shown me that the biggest dreams are often built one small step at a time.
If you’re reading this and waiting for a sign to chase that dream that’s been on your heart, let this be it. Start before you feel ready. Take the risk. Bet on yourself. People will always have opinions, but don’t let anyone convince you that your dream is too small, too unrealistic, or out of reach. You don’t have to have everything figured out, you just have to be willing to begin. You might surprise yourself with where that can take you. You never know where one decision, one opportunity, or even one first step can lead, so say yes.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I first started photography, I honestly photographed anything and everything. I began by taking photos of my friends whenever we were out exploring Minneapolis, just to get more practice behind the camera. From there, I started working with local models on creative shoots, which eventually led to collaborations with clothing brands and businesses looking for content. Every opportunity taught me something new and helped me grow as both a photographer and a storyteller.
Then one night, I was given the opportunity to photograph a DJ event, and everything changed. I instantly fell in love with nightlife photography. The energy of the crowd, the music, the lighting, and the fast-paced environment challenged me creatively in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Since then, I’ve specialized in nightlife, concerts, DJs, festivals, and live events, while still photographing portraits, lifestyle sessions, and brand content. I love that every shoot is different, and my goal is always the same, to capture moments in a way that makes people feel like they’re right back in them.
The thing I’m most proud of isn’t just how much my photography has improved, but how much I’ve grown because of it. It all started with a small but burning dream and a determination to see how far I could take it. I taught myself photography from scratch by observing other creatives, studying their work, experimenting with my own style, and learning through plenty of trial and error. Every photoshoot became an opportunity to improve, and every dollar I earned went back into my business until I was finally able to invest in my first professional camera. That wasn’t just an upgrade in equipment, it was proof that hard work, persistence, and believing in myself were paying off.
I think what sets me apart is my willingness to keep learning. I’m never satisfied with staying in one lane or doing the same thing over and over again. I’m always looking for new ways to tell stories, challenge myself creatively, and create photos that feel authentic rather than staged. More than anything, I want the people I work with to feel comfortable, have fun, and walk away with photos that genuinely reflect who they are.
At the end of the day, that’s what photography means to me. Whether it’s someone’s favorite concert, a once-in-a-lifetime event, or a portrait they’ll look back on years from now, I hope my photos help people relive those moments and emotions every time they see them.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is taking a road trip to Yellowstone with my family. I’ve always loved being outdoors, and getting to see the mountains, wildlife, and all the different landscapes made a huge impression on me at a young age. I think that’s where my appreciation for nature really started.
Even though most people know me for nightlife and event photography, I’ve always wanted to get into landscape photography. There’s something about being outside and capturing the beauty of a place that really interests me, and it’s definitely something I hope to explore more in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Daisyshootz.com
- Instagram: Daisy.shootz
- Other: Daisy.shootz@gmail.com
