Layer by Layer: Photographing Darrien McWatters

Deanna Dunham
Jun 23
3 min read

Updated: Jun 28

Some portraits feel like more than just photographs.

They feel like a revealing—of presence, of purpose, of someone no longer willing to stay hidden.

Photographing Darrien McWatters was exactly that.

A coming home, in front of the lens.

Darrien is a passionate EDI (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) advocate, public speaker, and consultant whose work reaches across boardrooms, sports organizations, and communities with one central truth: everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued.

The day we did her branding session, I had the honour of making each of the florals by hand. We photographed Darrien surrounded by blooms, laughter, and joy—bringing colour and life to the powerful work they do. After the session, we grabbed coffee, and what began as a portrait shoot quickly evolved into a creative collaboration.

Darrien asked if I could build a website that truly captured the spirit of their work. I don’t take on branding or web development projects lightly—these days, I reserve that kind of creative energy for collaborations that feel deeply aligned. With Darrien, the connection was immediate and meaningful. I proposed the typography and branding now visible on their site—bold, welcoming, full of life. One of their guiding taglines, "Today I choose joy," emerged from our early brainstorms—an ethos that felt personal, powerful, and perfectly rooted in the work we were creating together.

I also connected them with my longtime friend Nicole Clark at Community Futures, and that connection has since blossomed into a series of community-hosted lunch workshops centred on belonging. You can explore those offerings and upcoming webinars here:🌱 Community Futures Webinars

But the story doesn’t end there.

Darrien is now evolving into something new—stepping into a side venture as DJ DeeMac (she/her), with a bold “YOU BELONG” banner flying high above every inclusive dance floor she hosts. Book her for your next event or follow along here:🎧 @djdeemac31

And now—perhaps most vulnerably and bravely of all—Darrien is working to publish her memoir, a powerful, deeply personal story of transformation. It traces her journey from living as a middle-aged cis, straight man, to discovering and embracing the truth of her identity as a gay, transgender woman. Her words are raw, unflinching, and full of the kind of honesty that has the power to help others feel less alone.

As Darrien writes: “My memoir goes deep into understanding who I was, who I learned I truly was inside, and how I learned who she was. It asks: how does a middle-aged, cis, straight male come to realize at age 43 they are a gay, transgender female—and it answers ALL the questions.”

This memoir is nearly finished—but Darrien needs help to bring it across the publishing line. If you believe in the power of stories to change hearts and create space for others to step into their truth, please consider supporting her GoFundMe campaign:📚 Support Darrien’s Book

I’ll be honest—there was a time I didn’t fully understand what it meant to be supportive of trans people. My journey hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been real. Working with Darrien wasn’t just a creative collaboration—it was a moment of personal growth, of listening more deeply, and learning how to show up better.

One of the greatest honours in this work is getting to hear people’s stories. I’ve always been drawn to what’s beneath the surface—what shapes a person, what fuels their joy, what they’ve had to unlearn to get where they are. Darrien’s story challenged me and inspired me. It cracked something open in the best way.

That speaks to just how impactful her work truly is.

It has been an honour not just to witness this journey, but to support it in the ways I know how: through imagery, design, connection, and belief.

These portraits are more than headshots.

They are a celebration of identity.

They are a record of emergence.

They are joy.

May we all be brave enough to shed the layers that no longer serve us—and surround ourselves with the ones that help us bloom.

With joy,

Deanna