Doon Williams | Photography | Cornwall, UK
Cornwall-based photographer Doon Williams specialises in lifestyle, editorial, fashion, environmental portraiture, interiors & seascapes. Capturing the essence of people and places, there’s a rustic-chic feeling to everything Doon touches, making her work beautifully heartwarming and inviting you into her little world.
When did you first start documenting your ocean story?
Properly last year, after doing the Studio M course.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
My Mum raised us on her own, and took us everywhere she went. We travelled for her work to different places in the world, and sailed a lot with her on tall ships as kids. We skipped school to do ocean races and beach adventures with her and it definitely shaped the person I am today. Our lives were never out of reach of the ocean, and I knew that I would end up returning to the ocean one day if I could. I left London and my film work to get back to the sea and now I have my own family. I cannot imagine being anywhere else.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I travelled, and then did a degree in design with view to working in art direction in film. After 10 years working in that role, somebody in Cornwall asked me to work for them doing their interior photography and styling, and that lead me home and into the career I have now.
What do you value most in life?
My children, the lovely people in my life, my health and Cornwall.
What brings you the most joy?
Laughing children, shortly followed by taking pictures, shortly followed by 2.5ft clean waves!
Who/what currently inspires you?
I would say the OCL community have been my main inspiration photography wise. I discover new people every week across the world from this community and it’s a massive driving force. Matt has been a big inspiration as his work is amazing and very varied, which gives me hope that you can be more than one type of photographer. My Mum also inspires me as she has shown me that you can have an awesome career and kids!
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
I would love to change my generation’s attitude toward the environment. Many still abuse nature and chase the easy options for living our lives, using plastic, polluting, greed and turning a blind eye to issues that are increasingly serious. I feel that it’s my generation’s responsibility to educate the next, and without our minds in the right place, the next generation’s awareness is limited. If I could wave a magic wand I would change the brains of many my peers to love and appreciate the environment more, so that it becomes the norm for kids to do the same.
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking?
Every BBC Earth and Wildlife documentary I have ever seen.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
A kindness to those around me is what I would like to be remembered for, and for being the one that gets others to adventure a little bit more. I have always been the one that gets my friends to come and do things, have adventures they might not do otherwise. Most of my friends used to keep there phones on silent when we at university as I would often call far too early to go do something by the sea! I would like to be remembered for inspiring others to adventure.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an ocean Storyteller?
Get connected to an ocean community in some way. Do a course, go to talks, find like minded people.
WEBSITE: www.doonwilliams.com
INSTAGRAM: @doon.williams
