Daniela Ware

Do not overthink it. Forget about those voices inside your head telling you: “you are not enough, you are messy, you are lazy”; and just go for it. Even if you think you are not prepared. You will learn in the process. The most important thing is just to start. The rest will come naturally.

Occupation: Photographer
Age: 38
Country: United States
Website address: www.danielawarephotography.com
Business email: Danielawarephotography@gmail.com
Social media:
Facebook: @DanielaWarePhotography
Instagram: @DanielaWarePhotography

What is your business about?

As a woman with ADHD, my photography doesn’t follow a specific style or aesthetic. It goes beyond simple family portraits—I aim to capture the realness of day-to-day life, with all its struggles and victories. My business offers the chance to freeze these moments, creating memories that last a lifetime. I serve Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas.

Describe your life before becoming a solopreneur.

Before starting my own business, my life felt monotonous. I worked full-time at a bank for over 20 years, feeling trapped and burned out. Society pushes you to follow the norm, so I thought my dissatisfaction was just me being ungrateful. But I was exhausted and unfulfilled.  

What made you decide to take the leap and start your own business?  

It all started when my husband noticed my love for taking pictures of everything around me. He gave me my first official camera, and even though I was upset at first, feeling pushed, he saw something in me that I didn’t. My whole outlook changed. A few months later, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which runs in our family. I started worrying that I might have it too—I was always forgetting things, my energy was low, and I hated my job. I didn’t want to be the kind of mom who couldn’t be present for my two amazing boys.

So, I went to the doctor, expecting the worst, but instead, I was diagnosed with ADHD. The diagnosis was a shock. Suddenly, I understood why I’d felt the way I did for so long. I was angry—at my parents for not catching it sooner, at myself for not seeing it. But I channeled that energy into research, found motivation in books and social media communities, and finally felt like I’d found my people. In 2022, after talking with my husband, I decided to quit my banking career and pursue photography full-time. With his support, I started this new chapter at age 37.

How would you describe your life now, as a solopreneur?  

Photography is my passion—it’s my dopamine. At first, it was terrifying. I worried that it would be like everything else I’d tried, where the excitement fizzles out after a few days. I was scared to put myself out there. What if people didn’t like my work? Imposter syndrome was in full swing. But once I let go of those fears and surrounded myself with positive people, I dove into learning. I took workshops in lighting, Photoshop, film, and art. I realized that knowledge is my strength, and so is my ADHD. I can learn fast and focus on many things at once.

There are still ups and downs, and negative thoughts sneak in sometimes, but I’ve learned that I’m my own worst critic. Most people don’t overthink my work the way I do. I’m still learning to love myself and trust in my craft.

How has your ADHD played a positive role in your business life?  

ADHD has fueled my creativity. I don’t limit myself to one photography style—I feel like I can do it all. If I don’t know how to do something, I know I’ll hyper-focus until I learn. It’s helped me understand myself and others better, and I’m constantly improving my skills. Having ADHD also means I’m flexible, which is great for balancing work and life. Plus, if I’m passionate about something, I’m more likely to be on time—well, most of the time!