Daydream Photography LLC is more than just a business; it's a dream decades in the making turned reality. I'm a portrait and wedding photographer with 20+ years of experience who enjoys capturing memories for families that will last a life time! We offer our services to a range of photography needs: Weddings, Family Portraits, Events and Businesses. However, over the past six years that dream has also evolved into a mission. I am a father of a beautiful little girl who is non-verbal and autistic. Being a father of a special needs child has taught me invaluable lessons about compassion, patience, and understanding. It has also made me acutely aware of the challenges faced by special needs individuals when it comes to photography. Many times, capturing the essence of these unique individuals can be daunting, requiring an environment that caters to their specific needs and provides them with comfort and support. I believe that every person deserves to have their stories told, their dreams captured, and their uniqueness celebrated. Whether it's a couple embarking on a journey of love, a family creating memories together, or individuals with special needs embracing their true selves, my lens is committed to preserving the essence of their lives.

Get to know the photographer

Hello, I'm Adam!

I've been doing photography for over 20+ years. What was once a hobby turned into a business that centers around the one thing most important to me in photography: capturing memories.

I am a father to a beautiful little girl with my gorgeous fiance' who are my greatest sources of inspiration to this journey. My daughter, Delilah is the reason Daydream launched. Please see our Special Daydreamers page to learn more!

For over 20 years, photography has been my passion. As a wedding, special needs, and community photographer in Martinsville, I capture real emotion and meaningful stories. From small businesses to life’s biggest moments, I create timeless images that celebrate love, uniqueness, and the heart of our community.

The Name:

Daydream Photography

After 17 years of dreaming about starting this business, I finally took a leap of faith and bet on myself. The name of the business went through many changes before finally becoming what it is today: Daydream Photography. The idea came to life during a conversation with my fiancé, who encouraged me to pursue my passion. I chose the name "Daydream" as a tribute to her as her last name is Day. But also because it perfectly captured the essence of what this business meant to me.

Since I was 13, I often found myself lost in daydreams about one day owning a photography studio. It was more than just a fantasy; it was a vision I kept coming back to. The name is also a play on something so many of us did growing up daydreaming about the future, about possibilities. For me, this business was always that dream. So when the name came to mind, it just felt right. It told my story, honored someone I love, and captured the spirit of chasing something long imagined.

The Story:

My Passion for Photography

was developed in a darkroom

I discovered photography during a time when digital photos were just beginning to shape the way we capture and share memories. Back then, digital cameras weren’t nearly as accessible as they are today. My love for photography began in my teens when I took a class at Piedmont Arts. My mom had signed me up after noticing my growing interest in the subject. It was in that class that my passion truly took root, especially when the instructor described photography as the art of manipulating light. I even had the chance to develop my own photos in a darkroom, which deepened my appreciation for the craft. While modern photography rarely involves darkrooms, that experience laid the foundation for my enduring love of the craft.

The black and white image you see of a plant on this page is actually the first artistic photograph I ever took at age 13. I captured it during my photography class and later developed it in a darkroom. For the assignment, we were asked to photograph something that told a story, give it a title, and explain its meaning. I named this photo "Keep Growing." It shows a plant pushing its way through a metal grating platform despite the obstacles, it continued to grow. At the time, I liked the image, but it wasn’t until I started my business and faced real-life challenges that the photo’s meaning truly resonated with me. It became a powerful reminder that no matter what we go through, we have to keep growing.

The Reason:

more than just a hobby, more than just a job - but a passion with reason.

As many of you know, my daughter is a huge driving force behind everything I do, especially my advocacy for the special needs community. But something else quietly stays with me during every session: the memory of my father, Tony C. Davis and how our relationship shaped my view of photography in 2017.

Growing up, our relationship wasn’t always smooth, we were just two stubborn guys who didn’t always see eye to eye. But as I got older, things started to shift. When I found out I was going to be a dad, I finally understood the depth of love and connection between father and child. I was determined more than ever to fix what we broke and that moment brought us closer than ever.

Tragically, just three months after my daughter was born, my father passed away in a work-related accident. Because of our rocky past, taking photos together had never been a priority. Aside from childhood photos and one from my early 20s, I had nothing until two days after he passed, when I received a photo of us taken during one of his visits to see his granddaughter. This is the photo you see of me with my arm wrapped around his shoulder. It was a photo that took both of us off guard. Our relationship had grown stronger but taking photos together just wasn’t something we did. But I’m thankful for this moment and that one photo means the world to me now.

It travels with me to every shoot, a constant reminder that the images I capture aren't just pictures...they're pieces of time, preserved forever. I know how fleeting moments are but I also know how unpredictable life is. We always think we’ll have more time to capture and make memories. That understanding has become the heart of my work. Every photo I take for you is more than just a session, it’s a keepsake, a moment that may one day mean everything.

Read about Tony c. Davis