INTERVIEW: DAWNDRA BUDD // Photographer
Instagram: @dawndrabudd
Websites: Dawndra Photo & Portraits by Dawndra
MEET DAWNDRA BUDD
Capturing Magic on Two Wheels
For Dawndra Budd, photography and motorcycles aren’t just passions—they’re a way of life. A storyteller at heart, she captures the world through her lens with the same fearless spirit that fuels her love for riding. Infused with a touch of witchy magic, her work channels the raw energy of the open road, the mysticism of nature, and the untamed spirit of those she photographs. From the forests of Washington to the desert roads of Sedona, her journey has been one of creativity, adventure, and spiritual connection. As a member of The Litas Seattle, she has woven her love for motorcycles into her artistic journey.
We caught up with Dawndra to talk about her journey—from ripping around on a dirt bike as a kid to finding her community on the road, where she finds inspiration, and what riding means to her.
About:
I grew up in Washington State and studied film photography and snowboarding (and partied hard at rock-n-roll shows) at Evergreens State College in Washington state.
I'm obsessed with music and good movies. I LOVE ALL THE ANIMALS, and I love photographing sanctuaries.
I walk with my dog in the forest every single day. Although right now I am in Sedona for 5 months so we are in the beautiful desert mountains. I just got here last night. I drove three days with all of the most important things in one little van: my cat, dog, all my gear and my bike on the back. Here, I get to ride in the winter!
Motorcycle Journey:
My step dad was a real dickhead, but he bought me a dirt bike when I was in second grade. I will always love him for that. Riding was my sanctuary at that age. I was basically riding on mountain roads by my house until dark, and without a helmet in the early years. I would ride on the street in third grade to my friends house that was nearby. So many crash stories. (This is how I secretly tell you my age, that would never happen nowadays.) It was a freedom and escape that I hadn’t experienced before.
In high school, there were no more dirt bikes for me; but I got one again when I was 27 and rode it for a few years. I rode the sand dunes of Michigan, in Asheville NC, and in Florida. It was then that I decided to get a street bike, but it took me a while to make it happen.
I finally got a 1975 400Four super sport. She was my spirit animal. I rode her for 15 years until Covid hit, when I purchased the Suzuki TU250 that I ride now. I know I am not a fancy motorcycle woman, but I want to be (when I grow up.)
My little bike, named Black Raven, is very modified and goes up to 90 - when the wind is right. We have gone many miles together. I mostly ride on country roads, so for that and around the city, my bikes rips. But I want a Harley and a Triumph. Soon baby, soon.
“It was a freedom and escape that I hadn’t experienced before.”
Inspiration:
Nature and people inspire me. Shit, everything inspires me:
A woman's story, a great location, a cool ass outfit. Sunsets. trees, oceans, crystals, mountains, music. Dogs. A rad motorcycle. And all the witchy things.
I am always on fire to create, to the point that it might annoy. The biggest catalyst for that fire was quitting drinking 8 years ago. I was doing it all half-assed up until that point. I would feel the flame, but blow it off. Now I never ignore it, life is too beautiful and fleeting. I have a lot of energy and I feel a lot of energy now that I no longer drink.
I do three types of portrait photography. I have a family and couples photo business that is my main gig, a witchy artsy realm where I get to be weird and create the whole thing, and my motorcycle life. I love all of it. I don't have kids but they fascinate me, so I love photographing them. Not to sound cheesy, but I photograph LOVE. In all three of my worlds, whether it's a wedding, a witch, or a motorcycle babe who loves her bike.
Motorcycles + Photography:
That explorer archetype inside me gets fed when I combine my love of motorcycles with photography. Riding clears my heart and soul and gifts me creative epiphanies. My thoughts are typically like a butterfly - all over the place - so riding pulls me into focus and I can just feel what's true. Same feeling as when I am shooting. I love riding in a group too, that feeling of being free and somehow being all one in a way.
It wasn't until right before Covid hit that I joined the Seattle Litas. Up until that point,I just had a bunch of guys I would ride with. My lady moto world exploded. I met some of my besties, and we ride AND shoot- I get to do both things I love most.
Riding motorcycles feels like something I have always done and I want to always do, like it's a part of me. It's brought me new people and new perspectives on life, and brought me to places I never would have been otherwise.
“Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end but a unique event in itself.”
Advice for the moto-curious:
Once you are sure you are doing it because you really want to ride and you feel like you are built for it (my advice to all humans)-- DO IT. Take the two or three day class. Start slow and watch yourself fall in love with that feeling I struggle to put into words.
P.S.—
Shout out to Ride To The Warehouse - I did a ton of photos for that art show this year. I met so many cool women because of it. Rag Magazine is a great place to see some of it. And it's just an amazing magazine full of moto stories, and it's created by rad people.
I'll be at The Prowl in March drooling over the choppers, and I will be working and playing at Dream Roll this year again in Washington. You will find me at the SHE WOLF booth because I love them the most. And hit me up people! I want new friends. Tell me something weird.
