Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonny Dez
Hi Sonny, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Photography was stitched into the fabric of my life long before I ever held a camera with intention. It lingered in quiet moments—weekends spent with my grandparents, or listening to my mother speak of her own fascination with capturing light and shadow. I grew up walking the halls of my great-grandmother’s home, where photographs lined the walls like living memories, whispering stories of my lineage. From the very beginning, the camera felt like an extension of myself.
Years later, life took me far from those familiar halls. I joined the military, where photos were rare and sacred—intimate glimpses of camaraderie, brotherhood, and fleeting moments of stillness in a world built on movement and chaos. Over time, the culture shifted; we began to recognize the importance of capturing these fragments of our reality. in the beginning, I scraped together enough to buy a Canon T3i, not yet knowing how much that decision would alter the course of my life.
It wasn’t until a deployment to Africa that everything changed. That experience opened my eyes—not through the lens of of the job, but through the raw, unfiltered beauty of documentary storytelling. I found myself compelled to document the world around me: the textures of daily life, the quiet resilience of the human spirit, the moments that spoke louder than words ever could.
From there, it became an obsession. I taught myself composition, learned to read light, and shot with anything I could get my hands on—DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, medium format, and film. Along the way, I found mentors and forged friendships that pushed me further, shaping both my photography and my purpose.
That’s how SDV was born—not just as a photography brand but as a platform to represent my much needed catharsis and the Special Operations community with authenticity and respect. Few people truly understand the world of Navy EOD, and even fewer grasp the depth of why we do what we do. My goal isn’t just to take photos; it’s to create images that speak for those who often go unseen; I want visceral reactions.
At its core, SDV is about filling my own cup—capturing moments that matter to me. If those images resonate with others, if they shed light on a hidden world or offer a glimpse into the soul of my community, then that’s a gift. What started as personal catharsis has evolved into something larger: a way to honor the life I’ve lived, the people I’ve served with, and the beauty found around me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No path worth taking is ever truly smooth. I’ve never viewed SDV as a job—because, at its core, it isn’t one. It began, and continues, as something deeply personal—a creative outlet for my own mental health and well-being. Photography offers me a space to process, reflect, and stay grounded.
The learning curve has been steep at times. Understanding composition doesn’t always come naturally, and mastering editing software can feel like learning an entirely new language. There were moments of frustration and setbacks, but that’s part of what makes the journey meaningful. Growth often happens in those uncomfortable spaces, where limitations reveal themselves. And when they do, the challenge becomes finding a way around them—or pushing straight through.
One of the hardest aspects early on was figuring out what I truly enjoyed capturing. Photography is a vast field with countless genres, and it’s impossible to master them all. I don’t claim to be the best at any of them. But what I did discover was something even more valuable: the connection with the people I worked alongside. Being able to document moments for my teammates—giving them something tangible to share with their families—brought a sense of fulfillment I hadn’t anticipated.
There’s nothing quite like having a teammate tell me that a photo I took allowed him to show his kids what he does for a living, to help them better understand and be proud of his work. Moments like that give this journey meaning beyond personal passion—they’re reminders that these images can bridge gaps between worlds that are often difficult to explain.
Outside the military context, I find peace walking the streets of unfamiliar cities, camera in hand, waiting for the perfect moment to unfold. That quiet patience, the anticipation of capturing a fleeting, unscripted moment—it never gets old.
Struggles, I’ve learned, are what you make of them. They’re not roadblocks; they’re opportunities to adapt, grow, and discover alternative paths. SDV was born from those challenges and continues to evolve with every lesson learned along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m currently still on active duty in the Navy, nearing the end of a long and fulfilling career as I prepare for retirement in the not-so-distant future. My role is within Navy EOD—Explosive Ordnance Disposal. For those unfamiliar, our mission is straightforward but critical: we handle and neutralize any explosive threat that could impede military operations. This includes everything from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to conventional ordnance, as well as chemical, biological, and even nuclear hazards. Our work extends across every environment—on land and underwater—making us, in many ways, a jack-of-all-trades within the military sphere.
It’s a job that demands constant vigilance and adaptability. We dive, we shoot, we jump from planes, and we integrate with nearly every type of unit when the mission calls for it. It’s a career that never becomes routine and always keeps you sharp, both mentally and physically.
When it comes to my photography, I don’t claim to specialize in any particular style or genre. I simply take photos that speak to me and share them with the world. If others connect with the work, that’s something I appreciate deeply—if not, that’s just part of the creative process. I believe my experiences have given me a unique perspective, offering opportunities to shoot in places and environments few others have access to. I attribute much of that to good timing and a bit of luck.
If I had to define a personal style, I’d describe it as leaning toward the dark and moody side of editing—an aesthetic that resonates with the intensity and complexity of the moments I aim to capture. That said, I also strive to be versatile, adapting to the environment and the story that needs to be told through each image.
In the end, both my career and photography have taught me the same lesson: it’s not about being the best at everything, but about being present in the moment, learning from every experience, and finding meaning in the process itself.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I would say that I am not a very risk adverse person. I think the biggest risk I’ve taken is just putting my photos out there. You’re bound to have critics and nay-sayers that want to claw at you and pull you down. One thing I was told very early on in my career was “No one doing better that you will ever run their mouth.” That’s typically how I like to from my reason for risk. If it’s not scary, it’s probably not worth it, in my eyes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sonnydezvisuals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonny.dez.visuals/
