Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dan Monick. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Dan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I don’t know if I ever really made a decision that concretely. I do remember a very early shoot with an artist and coming home and being so stressed out about how it went and whether or not I could do this, and saying there is no way I can pursue this. My partner at the time was listening to me vent while getting ready to go out. After a while they just quietly said “Okay then what else are you gonna do?” I thought about it and thought about it and it was almost like a resignation to a degree haha. I finally said “Damn, I dunno. I guess I have to do this”

Dan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a photographer and a publisher. I have worked commercially and with a lot with musicians over the years. My “career” happened basically cause I locked in with an artist that blew up and they were pretty cool about taking me along with them. Then it was just all about finding my voice, a bunch of lucky circumstances and a ton of work. It was also about coming to terms with the fact that I would shoot and make books no matter what. That is the driving force. I will always do this. I don’t really know how to communicate any other way. Books are how I discovered photography and zines were how I discovered a lot of music so after a while I started a small zine press. That grew into doing some books, participating in fairs, and the press just became an art form in itself. The process of making a book or any printed matter is a huge joy.
I have played many rolls with my work over the years, some of it kinda dumb and just attempts at making money but a few years ago I really truly found my shooting voice and also my purpose with the press. And these days my biggest service photography wise is you are not going to get anything but a POV that you will only get from me. I shoot the way I shoot. Thats it. It may lead to fewer “clients” in a lot of ways but it has also led me to working with certain folks for decades now. It took me forever to feel confident in my voice and my biggest regret is not having the courage to find it sooner because I feel I would have been way more successful had that happened TBH.
With my press, I really love helping people break down the barrier between having an idea and making it a physical object. I love books but these days I mostly try to help people find a unique frame up for their work that gives it a bit more character and emotional response. Books are dope and there are a lot of people out there who will make them way better than me, but I will help an artist create an object with their work. Something that supports it versus just presenting it. My work with the press along with my life experience has led to a lot of involvement with the sex worker community. I have never experienced more creativity, tenacity and self empowerment in any other group of people. Helping pave pathways for the immense artistry, fighting back against deep stigma this community faces and having really frank conversations with civilian friends about it has been rewarding beyond belief. And in turn I hope that I can return that reward by supporting and promoting the work and the artists involved.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I had no idea they were still around….

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

To use what I have learned through the years to help and support others in bringing ideas and projects to life. Especially for trans and queer folks

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cashmachine.la. www.dmonick.com
• Instagram: @cashmachinela @danmonick
• Twitter: hell no
• Other: @danmonick.bsky.social

Image Credits

All photos are by me.
1. Gawdland in Bangkok
2. Exterior of Cash Machine
3. Becky Peach Hollywood, CA
4. Goddess Yuki photographed in Tokyo for my book “Tokyo Is A Great Place To Be Lonely”
5. EthicalDrvgs holding a copy of SW4 at the Cash Machine Studio
6/7. Cash Machine
8. One of my favorite record covers of the last few years for We Are Scientists