About Donna
Hi..I’m DONNA, or “Dee” as my friends call me.
I’m a photographer, visual storyteller & registered nurse here in NYC. Oh yeah, I cook too.. like a lot… and right now I’m currently obsessing over pasta, bread & pizza (my New Jersey is showing.)
My images have been featured on television, online, and in campaigns for some of your favorite brands. I’ve worked on productions as a behind the scenes and set photographer, been fortunate enough to be involved with New York Fashion Week & the NYC Comedy Scene, documented Hurricane Sandy and shot street photography for Milk Studios. I thought I’d seen it all, but I found something else in a couple meals here in New York, especially from the womxn who shared them with me.
The project may have started with my photography but it has become much more. This is about them, for you, by me - a journey of people sharing amazing stories about how they get through it all.
behind the name …
I started “the Donas” after being selected to participate in a group show documenting the disappearing faces of small business in NYC. My friends who owned restaurants were gracious enough to give me access and let me run wild - shooting their shops, staff & food. It was at this time that I realized I didn’t know many female owners in the NYC restaurant scene and wanted to change that. I started researching, documenting their stories, sharing meals with them, and throwing events all over NYC.
Since then the The Donas has evolved into a podcast, community and Pop-Up Social Club.
want more?
You can follow me on social- here
Want to be friends, pitch an idea, or participate in the project? Shoot me a message.
READ
Creative writing, journals, interviews shares and stories. From people I’ve crossed paths with, to things I love, and stuff I’ve tried. What’s worked, what hasn’t and what I’m still figuring out. Take what’s for you, leave what’s not, and join in on the conversation if you wish.
SHOP & SUPPORT
a collection of my current and past works from loungewear, streetwear, candles, journals, & self-care items to help support you in expressing your unique best self and making your days a little bit better
LISTEN
“THIS PODCAST IS LIKE LISTENING TO YOUR FRIEND’S CONVERSATION, SITTING AROUND THE DINNER TABLE...LONG AFTER THE MEAL’S BEEN OVER.”
The Donas : Advice & Stories is your weekly dose of personal shares and interviews from Donna and people like you just “getting through”. From small business owners, writers, to stand up comedians, those working on themselves and those holding space for others... A little inspiration, education, bust mostly the feels of being on the phone with your best friend. oh yeah…it even has it’s own HOTLINE!
WATCH
From selfies to self-care the Dona’s video sessions cover everything from manifesting, love languages, Donna’s personal Vlogs, to how to make yourself a meal you’ll be proud of.
cook : comfort & nourish
The cornerstone of the project began in the food world, covering womxn owned food spaces and their personal journeys. I believe cooking for yourself is one of the easiest and most routine forms of self-care and an easy place to start. Whether its the meditative process of chopping and stirring, to using your intuition to create a recipe or make one even better, I feel preparing meals for ourselves can nourish and comfort us throughout our lives.
COMMUNITY : The Donas Social Club
Through the Donas Project I host monthly moon circles, yearly vision board parties, workshops, and popup events. The community that started in NYC with Sunday Brunch now extends to Peru, Italy, and New Zealand.
SHARE
Know someone doing something amazing? Think they should be featured on the podcast or Donas social media? Let us know here
And finally I believe in showing the behind the scenes of the perfectly curated feed and that I can pay it forward through sharing what I’ve learned along the way. So I share by documenting my life and the behind the scenes on my personal social media, on IG, and here in my diary.
