Daydream Photography is more than a business—it’s a mission. Run by Adam Davis, the studio has become a familiar presence at community and charity events throughout Martinsville and Henry County. With a focus on supporting special needs families and highlighting moments of genuine connection, Davis uses his lens to showcase the heart of the community.
“I really started for special needs. My daughter is nonverbal and autistic, so I noticed that there was no photography business in the industry for special needs,” Davis said.
Motivated by a personal gap in the market, Davis began partnering with local businesses like The Ground Floor to build his portfolio. As his business grew, so did his mission.
“No one was featuring small businesses or the town in the light that it should be, so I ended up creating Martinsville Mondays and started to photograph local events, starting to build our community up,” he said.
Daydream Photography offers portraits, headshots, and wedding photography, but Davis says the heart of his work lies in filling gaps within the community—by uplifting others and capturing moments that might otherwise be overlooked.
Davis first discovered photography around age 14, during a class at Piedmont Arts.
“It kind of started there, when he showed us how light can be manipulated for photography,” Davis said.
He began experimenting with different styles using a small camera, and by his 20s had upgraded to a mid-grade model to capture photos of family and friends. Fifteen years later, he officially launched Daydream Photography in 2023.
“The light can be the best friend of a photographer or his worst enemy,” he said. “It’s one of the things you need to study the most.”
He prefers overcast days to bright ones, noting that gloomy days offer more flattering light than the harshness of direct sun—an insight that informs how he approaches every shoot.
Davis also tailors his work for clients with special needs. Aware of seizure risks associated with camera flash, he’s developed techniques to avoid using it whenever possible.
He draws deep personal meaning from photography. “One thing that made me want to open the business was not only our child Delilah, who’s special needs, but I lost my father the same year I became a father myself,” he said.
After his father’s passing, Davis found a photo someone had taken of them together. It was the only image of the two of them from his adulthood.
“That photo means everything to me,” he said. “Sometimes those photos are going to be one of the only things they have left to look back and remember a good time.”
Among his favorite events to photograph is Night to Shine, a prom for individuals with special needs hosted annually by Stone Memorial Baptist Church.
“I’ve been the annual photographer for the past two years, and I plan to keep volunteering my time for that,” he said.
Davis finds inspiration in every shoot.
“I hate to give the cheesy answers,” he said with a laugh, “but people in sensitive situations feel comfortable coming to me for photos.”
While he doesn’t enjoy being in front of the camera himself, Davis is rarely without one. “My mind is photography 24/7,” he said. He often brings his camera along on outings and is constantly noticing moments that would make great photos.
His fiancée helps keep him balanced. “She looks after me,” he said.
Davis encourages others to take more pictures, no matter the occasion. “Our family and friends are going to cherish them for years to come.”
