Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakesha Williams.
Hi Lakesha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into photography actually began in a way I never expected. DIVALOCITY originally opened as a selfie museum. I created a fun, beautiful space where people could come in, take pictures, create content, and enjoy different setups for only $25. I had the vision, the space, and the excitement—but it simply didn’t take off the way I had hoped.
What could have easily felt like failure became redirection.
I’m a woman of faith, so looking back, I truly believe that was God’s way of pushing me toward my purpose and destiny. Sometimes the vision you start with is only the vehicle God uses to get you where you were actually supposed to be.
Instead of giving up on DIVALOCITY, I pivoted. I picked up the camera and began photographing people myself. As I continued learning, creating, and developing my own style, something shifted. People began booking—and they kept booking. DIVALOCITY Photography grew into a luxury portrait photography brand known for bold concepts, creativity, beautiful imagery, and what I affectionately call a good “PhotoSlay.”
What makes my story a little different is that photography isn’t my only career. I am also Dr. Lakesha Williams, a doctorate-prepared Nurse Practitioner. Healthcare has been a major part of my life and professional journey for many years, and I’m incredibly proud of that calling. But I’ve learned that purpose doesn’t always have to fit neatly into one box.
That’s how “The Photo Doc” was born.
I like to say that as a Nurse Practitioner, I prescribe medication—but as The Photo Doc, I also prescribe self-confidence and PhotoSlays! There is something powerful about watching someone step in front of my camera unsure of themselves and then seeing their reaction when I show them what I see through my lens. Photography has become more than taking beautiful pictures for me. It is about helping people celebrate themselves, document important seasons of their lives, and sometimes see beauty and confidence in themselves that they had forgotten was there.
Today, DIVALOCITY Photography represents so much more than the original idea I had when I opened those doors. It represents perseverance, obedience, creativity, faith, and the courage to pivot when something isn’t working.
I didn’t give up when the first vision didn’t go according to plan. I adjusted—and that adjustment changed everything.
What I once thought wasn’t working was actually working for me. God was simply redirecting me from where I thought I was supposed to be to exactly where I belonged.
And I’ve been booked, creating, growing, and prescribing PhotoSlays ever since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I’ve learned that a smooth road doesn’t always produce the strongest story.
One of my first struggles was accepting that my original vision for DIVALOCITY as a selfie museum wasn’t working the way I had imagined. I had invested time, money, energy, and excitement into something I genuinely believed would be successful. When it didn’t take off, I had a choice: I could see it as failure, or I could figure out what God was trying to show me. I chose to pivot.
Then came the challenge of actually becoming the photographer. Photography is an art, but it is also a skill and a business. I had to learn my camera, lighting, posing, editing, composition, marketing, customer service, pricing, and everything else that comes with entrepreneurship. I’m still learning today because I never want to become so comfortable that I stop growing.
Another major challenge has been balancing DIVALOCITY Photography with my career as a doctorate-prepared Nurse Practitioner. Both professions require a tremendous amount of me. There have been long days when I’ve finished caring for patients and then transitioned into photographing clients, editing sessions, creating sets, answering messages, planning concepts, and running a business. People often see the beautiful finished images, but they don’t always see the sacrifice behind them.
Entrepreneurship has also taught me that being talented at your craft and running a successful business are two different skill sets. You have to learn your worth, become comfortable with pricing your work accordingly, deal with slow seasons, invest when you may not immediately see a return, and keep showing up even when social media engagement or bookings don’t reflect the amount of work you’re putting in.
But every challenge has stretched me.
My healthcare journey taught me discipline, compassion, resilience, and how to perform under pressure. My photography journey has taught me creativity, confidence, patience, and the importance of trusting my own vision.
Most importantly, I’ve learned not to confuse a difficult season with a dead dream. Sometimes you have to pivot. Sometimes you have to start again. Sometimes you have to be willing to be a beginner at something even when you’re already accomplished in another area.
I’m grateful I didn’t quit when DIVALOCITY didn’t look like what I originally envisioned. What I thought was a setback became the setup for something greater. The road hasn’t always been smooth, but every curve has helped shape the woman, entrepreneur, and photographer I am today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
DIVALOCITY Photography is a luxury photography brand, but I always say that what I provide goes far beyond taking pictures—I create experiences and preserve moments that people can never get back.
I specialize in creative, high-fashion, editorial-style photography, while offering a wide range of services including maternity, birthdays, branding and professional headshots, high school seniors and graduates, families, couples, weddings, special events, milestone celebrations, and luxury destination photography.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the experience I’ve built for my clients. DIVALOCITY operates from a 2,500-square-foot photography studio filled with creative possibilities. I have more than 25 throne chairs, an extensive collection of props, gowns, backdrops, and unique pieces that allow me to transform concepts into something extraordinary. I’ve definitely earned my reputation as the “Prop Queen!”
Clients can come into my studio with a complete vision—or no vision at all—and trust me to create something special. I love taking an idea and UPSCALING it into something luxurious, dramatic, creative, and editorial. I’m always asking myself, “How can I take this one step further?”
But one of my favorite things to tell people is: You don’t always have to come to DIVALOCITY. I can bring the DIVALOCITY experience to you.
I photograph weddings and events, create on-location portrait experiences, and offer luxury destination photography. Whether you’re getting married in another state, celebrating a milestone on an island, hosting a special event, planning a girls’ trip, celebrating an anniversary, or simply want an editorial photoshoot somewhere breathtaking, The Photo Doc can travel.
I can take elements of the creativity, luxury, and attention to detail people associate with my studio and create that same experience wherever my clients are. DIVALOCITY is more than a building—it’s a photography experience.
But underneath the gowns, throne chairs, elaborate sets, destinations, and beautiful imagery, the heart of DIVALOCITY is confidence.
People often come to me saying, “I’m not photogenic,” “I don’t know how to pose,” or “I need to lose weight first.” My response is simple: get in front of my camera and let me do my job. You don’t have to already feel confident to book a photoshoot. Sometimes the photoshoot becomes part of discovering that confidence.
That’s where my two professional worlds beautifully intersect. As a doctorate-prepared Nurse Practitioner, I’ve spent my career caring for people. As “The Photo Doc,” I’m still caring for people—just through a different lens. I like to say that in healthcare I prescribe medications, but at DIVALOCITY, I prescribe self-confidence and PhotoSlays.
What sets me apart isn’t simply the size of my studio, the number of props I own, or even my creativity. It’s my ability to see the person before I see the picture. I want every person who steps in front of my camera to feel celebrated, confident, beautiful, powerful, and seen.
I’m proud of the beautiful images I create, but I’m most proud of what those images eventually become. Photographs become more than something we post on social media. Wedding photographs become family history. Senior portraits document transitions. Maternity photographs become part of a child’s story. Family portraits become treasured memories.
Pictures become memories. Memories become history. And history becomes legacy.
That is DIVALOCITY Photography.
Whether you come to my 2,500-square-foot studio or I bring DIVALOCITY to you, my goal is for you to walk away with more than beautiful photographs. I want you to walk away with an experience—and maybe a little more confidence than you came with.
After all, it’s just what The Photo Doc ordered.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Jacksonville is home to me. I graduated from Samuel Wolfson Sr. High School c/o 1996.
I love the diversity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.divalocity.com
- Instagram: @divalocity_photography_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1An9c2MRQj/?mibextid=wwXIfr
