Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Daniels.
Justin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been interested in media since a very young age. When I was 14, I was gifted an old Canon 20D. It was an eight mp lead weight of a camera. When I got ready for an upgrade, I knew that photography is what I wanted to pursue career-wise. When I was 15, I got a Sony a600 and at 19 I got a Sony A7R2. Today I am in college studying business, I specialize in portraits and lifestyle and I am pursuing wedding photography. I have probably taken around 100,000 photos throughout the years and I look forward to taking many more.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Growing up, I was the only kid with a camera as a teenager, which was a benefit and a downfall. I had no peers to compete with, and a few people I knew were comfortable in front of a camera. I learned posing, editing, and lighting all myself but the biggest challenge was myself. I rarely pushed myself out of my comfort zone and was not comfortable being the only photographer in a group of people; now, I have overcome those challenges and feel completely comfortable and confident behind a camera. Another challenge is learning my value, I love photography so much and get so excited that I genuinely want to do it even if there is no money; this has caused me to barely charge, sometimes not even charge! I have become more and more aware that skill does not matter nearly as much as connections, and that is a serious struggle of mine; I am an extrovert and love talking; Covid-19 has not helped with this obstacle.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I specializes in portraits and more creative/studio work, and that is what I am known for. Creativity and openness to ideas is what I believe sets me apart from others, I keep seeing other photographers be so uptight, arrogant, and hard-asses; I once was too, then I saw other photographers outperforming me and changed my mindset. Every time I pick up my camera, I tell myself, “Take whatever you can, whatever you get is what you get.” And this openness and more relaxed mindset has helped me produce my favorite and best images. I believe that is what sets me apart from other photographers.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have taken more photos in more places; I grew up in Connecticut, an hour outside of New York City and I should have taking advantage of that opportunity more. I was more focused on composition, setting, lighting and the technicalities of taking a photo; I should have just taken the picture.
Pricing:
- Weddings: $800
- Portraits, family, lifestyle: $200
Contact Info:
- Website: luxphotographypro.com
- Phone: 2037311620
- Email: justin@luxphotographypro.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lux_photographypro/
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