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PHOTO BY DANIEL WILLIAMS Brookhaven filmmaker Daniel Williams has begun a photography project to document Brookhaven’s past and present.

PHOTO BY DANIEL WILLIAMS Brookhaven filmmaker Daniel Williams has begun a photography project to document Brookhaven’s past and present.

PHOTO BY DANIEL WILLIAMS Brookhaven filmmaker Daniel Williams has begun a photography project to document Brookhaven’s past and present.

PHOTO BY DANIEL WILLIAMS Brookhaven filmmaker Daniel Williams has begun a photography project to document Brookhaven’s past and present.

PHOTO BY DANIEL WILLIAMS Brookhaven filmmaker Daniel Williams has begun a photography project to document Brookhaven’s past and present.

PHOTO BY DANIEL WILLIAMS Brookhaven filmmaker Daniel Williams has begun a photography project to document Brookhaven’s past and present.

The owner and creative force behind the largest film production company in Mississippi is working on a Brookhaven-centered photography project.

Tentatively titled “Ole Brook Old and New,” the project is filmmaker Daniel Williams’ latest endeavor. 

At only 26 years old, Williams got his first camera at age 12, and started an aerial videography business at age 17. His first films were of boat launches and speedboats designed for Navy SEAL training. He since founded Integrity Productions, which produces a lot of commercials and short films.

A native of Dauphin Island, Alabama, Williams lived in Baton Rouge before moving to Brookhaven in 2021 with his family. His professional bio says, “His dedication to growing and expanding his business and bringing his clients’ vision to life comes second only to his love for his wife, Caroline, and their two sons. When he isn’t traveling across the country in his sports car, he enjoys motorcycles, cigars, physical fitness, and cinematography.”

“I’m thankful for the fun opportunities I’ve had so far, traveling coast-to-coast, filming with the BBC, The Discovery Channel, in the coffee industry, and more. I’m getting to do what I love every single day,” he said just after his move to the Homeseekers Paradise.

Now Williams’ plan is to replicate old photos with new ones taken in the same locations, at the same angles, showing the differences — and similarities — between pictures taken in the somewhat distant past and those taken in 2024. He is searching the files of the Lincoln County Historical and Genealogical Society Museum for old photos, and wants to get as many as he can from anyone who has photos of Brookhaven from years back.

“I’m going to try to replicate exactly where people took photos, and give a good idea of how things have changed,” said Williams. “Any historic photos people have, especially something that is a special photo to them, would be great. I’d love to replicate a photo that has meaning to someone already.”

It’s a photographic letter to a city Williams and his family — wife Caroline, and sons Sean, age 6, and Barret, age 4 — have come to love.

“I want to promote the rich history Brookhaven has, and let it be an encouragement for the community, something positive,” he said. “I want to use my abilities to improve things, as well. We have to give back. Especially if you’re a Christian, we have to — we have to try to make things better.”

Part of the way Williams tries to do that is as a member of the Brookhaven Trust and Brookhaven Servitium Club. He’s hopeful this photography project will continue that effort. Anyone with photos they would like the filmmaker to consider is asked to contact him at 504-400-7840 or integri-typroductionsco@gmail.com. Some of his previous work can be seen on his Instagram account, @daniel_the_williams. He is open to suggestions, and is eager to see what people would like to include.

“I love old photos that have people walking in them, where we can see the faces of the past,” said Williams. “It will be interesting.”

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